Damian Lillard Responds To Criticism From Fans After Blazers Face Backlash For Hiring Chauncey Billups Despite Past Rape Case

Damian Lillard has been attacked on social media for a head coaching search that he had no part of.

The Blazer's star received some criticism for the Billups hire because many believe that he played a part in the hiring process of the 2004 Finals MVP.


Lillard had no prior knowledge of sexual assault allegations against Billups from 1997.



All of the candidates who were interviewed for the Blazers' head coaching job were reportedly not suggested by Lillard.

In 1997, Billups, who was an NBA rookie in that year, settled a civil case in which a woman alleged that Billups and his former teammate with the Boston Celtics, Ron Mercer, raped her.

Criminal charges were reportedly never filed, but police reports stated that a rape kit examination of the victim showed injuries consistent with sexual assault.

Last night, the Blazers officially signed Billups to five-year deal to be their head coach.