It's Lillard's turn to lead the Blazers. (Photo : REUTERS)
Damian Lillard, one of the NBA'stop point guards, signed the five-year contract extension worth more than $120 agreed last week with the Portland Trail Blazers.
It is richest contract in Blazers history that surpasses the six-year, $84 million deal signed by Zach Randolph in 2004 and would keep Lillard in the team through the 2020-21 season.
There deal has a no opt-out clauses for either side, which reveals Lillard's level of commitment with the Blazers.
Now the franchise pillar, Lillard will now lead the team through a rebuilding process after LaMarcus Aldridge, Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews left in free agency and the team traded Nicolas Batum to the Charlotte Hornets.
Lillard said that the first order of business is to hold himself to the highest standard and to set the tone by being an example.
Lillard has always carried himself like a leader for being unflappable, honest, humble and being quick to praise a teammate and willingness to shoulder the blame.
He also has a habit of making clutch plays and hitting game-winners never missed a game.
The sixth overall pick in 2012, Lillard has since been named twice in the All-Star game and won rookie of the year award.
He also helped the Blazers make the playoffs twice in the last three seasons.
Lillard averaged 20.2 points, 6.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game, and shot 36.8 percent from three-point range.
The Blazers also signed Al-Farouq Aminu to a $30 million, four-year contract last week, and Ed Davis to a $20 million, three-year deal.
The Blazers also got the services Gerald Henderson as part of the Batum deal with the Hornets and Mason Plumlee in a draft trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
Blazers general manager Neil Olshey called Lillard's extension as a start of a new era, which is geared towards long-term success even if it necessiated a temporary back.
