NBA star Lillard makes sure players donate playoff shares to support staff
May 5, 2017, 12:54 PM
Portland Trail Blazers from left, forward Noah Vonleh, guard CJ McCollum, guard Damian Lillard, guard Evan Turner, and forward Al-Farouq Aminu react after the Golden State Warriors score during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 24, 2017, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
(AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
One of the benefits of making the NBA Playoffs, besides the chance to compete for a championship, is players receive more money for their efforts.
Each team receives a bonus, with is value being based on how far into the playoffs a team gets. For the Portland Trail Blazers, who were swept in the first round by the Golden State Warriors, none of the extra money will be going to the players.
As reported by CSNW.com, this year’s playoff bonus of $223,864 — or about $16,000 per player — was instead given to the team’s support staff, which numbers 25 people.
The move was led by team captain Damian Lillard, who made sure it happened last season and once again confirmed that every one of his teammates would follow through with the gesture.
“We divide our playoff shares to give to the people who we work so closely with because they spend as much time away from their families as we do, and they are just about as invested as we are,’’ Lillard said after the season. “They also do as much as possible to make our lives easier, even if it makes theirs more difficult – all while making far less. So it’s a further way of showing appreciation beyond a thank your or a handshake.’’
According to the report, the idea was spawned a few years ago, when Chris Kaman joined the team. He was apparently “appalled” that the players kept their playoff bonuses, and as a close friend of Lillard’s, convinced him passing the money off would show the importance of team unity and having each other’s back.
