Damian Lillard Is BACK, and His Teammate Toumani Camara Just Called Him “Very, Very Impressive”

Damian Lillard is prepping for his comeback with the Portland Trail Blazers, and teammate Toumani Camara just gave the NBA a massive heads-up. Camara, who has racked up All-Defensive recognition in his first three seasons and is one of the league’s top perimeter defenders, spent the offseason competing against Lillard. His assessment? “Impressive,” Camara told The Athletic, adding, “Very, very impressive.” That’s not just casual praise; it’s a serious signal from a guy who knows what an elite player looks like.

Lillard’s First Step Is Still Lightning Fast

Lillard has been off the court for over a year, recovering from left Achilles surgery back in May 2025. While we’ve seen clips of him shooting and rehabbing, Camara got the real deal: full-court, full-speed three-on-three games at Lillard’s Portland home. What really grabbed Camara’s attention was Lillard’s pure explosiveness. “I think the most impressive thing for me was his first step, his speed, especially coming back from that injury,” Camara said. “He was just very hard to guard all around.” That’s huge coming from someone who has locked up guys like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jamal Murray, and Tyrese Maxey. Camara even ranked the 36-year-old Lillard among the five toughest players he’s ever defended. This dude has “mastered his game and mastered his body.”

More Than Just Offense: A Defensive Spark?

Here’s the kicker: it wasn’t just Lillard’s legendary offense that blew Camara away. He noticed a legit increase in defensive intensity from the nine-time All-Star, including Lillard’s willingness to defend, box out, and handle all the little gritty details that don’t always pop up on the stat sheet. Even Portland coach Micah Nori is hyped, saying Lillard “looks phenomenal” and that “Every time I see him shoot the ball, I think it’s going in.” Lillard is expected to hit training camp without any restrictions, setting up one of the most intriguing comeback stories in the NBA. The Blazers still have to figure out their backcourt puzzle, but Camara has seen enough. If this offseason form holds up, the rest of the league is about to get a painful reminder that one of the game’s most dangerous guards is far from finished.

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Originally reported by The Sporting News.