Lillard: Struggles allow me to 'show my true character'

Damian Lillard's early-season struggles continued during the Portland Trail Blazers' 113-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. The superstar connected on 7-of-20 field goals and 2-of-9 attempts from 3-point territory to finish with an inefficient 20 points and 10 assists.

Lillard is now averaging 18.6 points on 34.9% shooting from the field and a 23.1% mark on 3-pointers through seven games - all career lows.

Rather than dwell on his subpar play, the six-time All-Star is instead using this stretch as an opportunity to showcase his strong resolve in tough times.

"I always look at struggles as an opportunity to show my true character," Lillard said postgame, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "When things go great, there's a lot of praise that goes along with that. A lot of people give you a lot of credit. ... But I think it says more when you're going through something and shit is kind of hitting the fan and you're struggling, and everybody's got something to say.

"And, me personally, I love when those opportunities present themselves. Because when I am riding high and when I do get smoking hot and when I get going, people are going to look at it and be like, 'We remember when you were struggling, and you didn't shy away from it.' I think it will be more respect for the success when they see how you handle failure and how you handle struggle."

Philadelphia's home crowd made its desire for Lillard well known, with the 76ers faithful cheering for him during starting lineup introductions pregame and later showering down a "We want Lillard" chant during the guard's trips to the free-throw line. With team president Daryl Morey continuing to shop disgruntled point forward Ben Simmons, Lillard's name has come up in trade rumors.

Lillard spoke about Sixers fans following the loss while also making sure to reaffirm his commitment to the Trail Blazers franchise.

"I know what it is, and I know what it's about. But I'm a Trail Blazer," Lillard said. "I appreciate the love. I appreciate the respect that they showed and the desire or whatever, but I'm 10 toes in Rip City, and I've said that time and time again, and tonight I laughed about it during starting lineups, but that's was that."

Portland's loss dropped its record to 3-4 under first-year head coach Chauncey Billups. Lillard and the Blazers return to action Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.