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Sacramento Kings rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. has voiced significant respect for Portland Trail Blazers veteran Damian Lillard as the two prepare to face each other for the first time in their NBA careers. In conversation with Kings insider James Ham on October 22, Acuff lauded Lillard's dedication to the game and pointed out parallels in their on-court approaches.
"I see a lot of similarities in my game to him," Acuff remarked. "Always watched him growing up. You admire his hard work. You gotta respect guys like that. Especially when you do what they do and they show it on the court. I always have the utmost respect for guys like that, and he's definitely one of my favorites, for sure."
College Scoring Prowess
Acuff's admiration stems from his own experiences as a high-scoring guard. During his lone season at the University of Arkansas, he showcased explosive scoring ability, averaging 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game with a 60.4 percent true shooting rate. His performance earned him the seventh overall pick by the Kings in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Lillard's path to stardom followed a similar trajectory. Coming out of Weber State as an under-recruited player in 2008, he leveraged a quick first step and deep three-point range to become one of college basketball's most prolific scorers. After four years, the Trail Blazers selected him sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, and he evolved into an All-NBA talent and one of the league's greatest volume scorers.
In 2023, Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, but injuries to him and Giannis Antetokounmpo hindered the team's playoff aspirations. Following a torn Achilles in the 2025 NBA playoffs, the Bucks waived him, leading to his return to Portland.
Contrasting Debuts Set Stage
As Acuff and Lillard meet on the court, their recent performances contrast sharply. Acuff's debut was challenging, scoring 12 points on 24 shots (just under 21 percent from the field). Lillard, in his first game back from the Achilles injury after about 18 months, exploded for 25 points on 88 percent true shooting, along with six assists and only one turnover.
In a post-game interview, Lillard shared his feelings about returning to regular-season action. "I've felt good for months now," he told reporters. "There might have [been] people who were skeptical because they haven't seen me." He also commended the Trail Blazers' team effort: "It was a great way to start this chapter for our team. We shared the ball, we played together."
Originally reported by yahoo.