Damian Lillard won the battle and the war against Russell Westbrook on Tuesday night and today he added the cherry on top.
Lillard posted a message on Instagram moments ago that is certainly directed at OKC's All Star point guard. The post, which contains several images from last night's Game 5 victory, includes the following quote from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War."
"It is the unemotional, reserved, calm, detached warrior who wins, not the hothead seeking vengeance and not the ambitious seeker of fortune."
Lillard outplayed Westbrook throughout the brief, five game series, including last night where he went off for 50 points, seven rebounds and six assists with the series-clinching game-winner to boot.
In regards to his on-court battle with Westbrook, specifically the way Russ likes to show up his opponents, Lillard recently told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes:
“I’m not even paying attention to it,” Lillard told Yahoo Sports. “But when I do see it, that’s cool. He does it every game, so it doesn’t bother me. I don’t celebrate in someone’s face and try to disrespect my opponent. But if a team calls a timeout, I’ll go acknowledge the crowd and celebrate with my teammates as I’m going to the bench. I’m not going to say some wild s---. I think with him, he’s pounding his chest and talking s--- and that’s what gets him going. That’s the difference between us.”
Lillard and the Blazers will now take on the winner of the Nuggets-Spurs series in the second-round of the NBA playoffs. The Nuggets lead that series 3-2 heading into Game 6 in San Antonio on Thursday.