Damian Lillard has weighed in on the debate about where he ranks among the greatest shooters in basketball history.
The Portland Trail Blazers star recently jumped into a viral conversation on X after sports journalist Aaron Fentress pushed back on a claim that Lillard is the NBA's second-best shooter ever behind Stephen Curry.
The discussion began when a social media user argued that Lillard's legacy is often overshadowed by Curry's presence in the same era. "The casual NBA fan would think a lot higher of Damian Lillard if Steph Curry never existed," the post read. "Dame is the clear second best shooter ever and a top 10 scorer in NBA history."
Fentress disagreed, pointing to Lillard's career three-point shooting percentage and comparing it to other all-time great marksmen.
"37.1% career from 3 is not 'clearly' the second-best shooter ever," Fentress wrote. "He shot over 40% once in his career. Ray Allen did so 8 times with a career best of 45%. Just to name one who was better."
Fentress then doubled down by adding that Lillard himself "wouldn't even call himself the 2nd best shooter ever" — a statement that caught the attention of Lillard.
"Yes I would," the nine-time NBA All-Star responded, issuing a short but definitive reply.
While critics often focus on percentages, Lillard makes a strong case with his shot difficulty, volume, and ability to consistently hit deep three-pointers from well beyond the arc. Throughout his career, Lillard has built a reputation for pulling up from distances few players would even consider, producing countless game-winning moments along the way.
Lillard's comments are likely to add fuel to a debate that has followed him for years. While Curry is widely viewed as the greatest shooter of all time, fans and analysts continue to argue over who belongs behind him, with names like Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Klay Thompson, and Lillard frequently entering the conversation.
