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Damian Lillard has been on an absolute tear lately. He scored 185 points in the last three seeding games and had another clutch display in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs against LA Lakers to steer the Portland Trail Blazers to a well-deserved win. However, it's the nature of the threes that he's been taking in Orlando that has seen him being compared to Steph Curry.
Given Damian Lillard's range, teams have started closing in on him the moment he crosses the halfway line. Despite that, the bubble MVP has managed to drain some astonishingly long shots.
His distance shooting was visible on Tuesday too against the LA Lakers where he made it rain from nearly 40 feet to give Portland the lead in the fourth quarter.
Also read: "He is one of the most underrated players in our game" LeBron James heaps praises on Damian Lillard
Kenny Smith is all praises for Damian Lillard
During tonight's broadcast of Inside the NBA on TNT, the four hosts were busy watching the highlights of the headliner between the Blazers and Lakers. As Lillard's shots were being played, former NBA Champion and broadcaster Kenny Smith made a bold claim.
"Hey Steph, Steph. I don't think you could shoot as deep as him [Lillard] Steph. I gotta see you when you come back."
That's certainly a big statement from Smith considering Steph Curry brought about the three-point revolution with his ability from distance throughout the last decade.
Steph Curry responds to Kenny Smith
Steph Curry's legacy isn't one to be taken lightly considering he's averaged over 43% from downtown from his career. Curry was in no mood to take that jibe from Kenny Smith as he responded on Twitter:
This is obviously a light-hearted remark from both parties and isn't to be taken seriously. But if I'm a betting man, I'll happily put my money on Steph Curry shooting long threes just as well as Damian Lillard.
Damian Lillard and Steph Curry's contrasting seasons
While Steph Curry has had a tumultuous year with the Golden State Warriors, this is the first season where Damian Lillard has managed to end the regular season with an accuracy of over 40% from downtown.
Lillard has slowly built a reputation for making extremely long buckets, especially with the buzzer-beater against the OKC Thunder last year in the NBA Playoffs. But Steph Curry is no slouch himself.
You can see how he set the trend for long-range threes with his 38-foot game-winner against OKC back in 2016. Hopefully, we'll be able to see him at his best in the upcoming season.
Guess the Lakers players!
