Portland Trail Blazers floor general Damian Lillard, the recent recipient of a five-year, $125-million contract extension, has apparently cooled on representing the U.S. in international competition after being left off the team's roster for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Lillard does not intend to participate in USA Basketball's minicamp in August, mandatory for those interested in representing their country at the 2016 Olympics.
"Umm, probably not," Lillard said when asked by CBS Sports Radio's Jody MacDonald about attending the minicamp. "I did it the last few summers. Last summer I didn't make it, so I don't know why I would go. If I got cut last summer, I don't think I'm a part of it."
I've defended Lillard in the past, as I believe he's fallen victim to an all too common phenomenon: everyone says they admire a straight shooter, and praise the idea of "telling like it is" and "not being politically correct", provided they agree with the person in question. If they're on the other side of the fence, suddenly that all goes out the window.
To that end, I've disagreed with the "crybaby" accusations in the past, because again, that's something that's often said when you don't agree with someone's point of view; invalidate their point of view by suggesting they're just whining. This, however...well, it does come across as being a bit whiny. Sure, it probably stung to be cut last year, and he's absolutely entitled to assess the situation and decide that he won't participate this time around, instead focusing on his summer camp and getting ready for next season. Nothing wrong with that. But that answer definitely comes across with a pout and a grumble, a bit whiny and immature.
In that respect, he reminds me a little of Gilbert Arenas. The "chip on the shoulder" approach is kind of entertaining for a while, but at some point it gets a bit obnoxious, even egotistical.
