I still remember watching that 2013 NBA season like it was yesterday, mainly because we witnessed something truly special in Damian Lillard's rookie campaign. When people ask me who won the 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year, I always smile because Lillard didn't just win it - he completely redefined what a rookie season could look like in modern basketball. The voting wasn't even close, with Lillard becoming the first player in NBA history to sweep all six Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards before unanimously claiming the ultimate honor. What made his season extraordinary wasn't just the numbers, though those were impressive enough - 19 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 37% from three-point territory.
The way Lillard dominated reminded me of that incredible performance I once saw in amateur golf, where a young player named Barnes mounted this astonishing closing run with three consecutive birdies to seize control of his category. Lillard had that same killer instinct when games mattered most. I've always believed that great players separate themselves in crunch time, and Lillard proved this theory right repeatedly throughout his rookie season. He wasn't just playing - he was imposing his will, much like how Barnes birdied those final three holes to claim victory. That mentality is what separates good rookies from legendary ones.
What really stood out to me was Lillard's immediate impact on the Trail Blazers' offense. As someone who's studied rookie seasons for over a decade, I can tell you that most young point guards struggle with the NBA's defensive schemes and pace. Not Lillard. He started all 82 games, logging nearly 3,000 minutes while maintaining remarkable efficiency. His usage rate of 24.5% was among the highest for any rookie point guard in the past 15 years, yet he maintained an offensive rating of 108.3. These aren't just numbers to me - they represent a player who wasn't just participating but actively controlling games from his very first professional minute.
I'll never forget his game-winning three-pointer against New Orleans in December 2012. That moment crystallized everything about his rookie season - the confidence, the skill, and that undeniable clutch gene. While Anthony Davis (the first overall pick) had a solid season himself, contributing 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, he couldn't match Lillard's offensive dominance and game-changing ability. Davis was more of a traditional big man developing his game, while Lillard arrived fully formed as an offensive engine. This contrast in their impacts made the Rookie of the Year race somewhat lopsided in my view, though both clearly had superstar potential.
The statistical dominance goes beyond basic numbers when you really dig into it. Lillard's 185 three-pointers that season set an NBA rookie record that still stands today. His Player Efficiency Rating of 16.4 might not jump off the page, but considering he was handling primary ball-handling duties for a playoff team, it's actually quite impressive. I've always valued context in statistics, and Lillard's numbers become even more remarkable when you consider he was running an offense that featured LaMarcus Aldridge as the primary scorer. His ability to balance creating for others while maintaining his own scoring efficiency was unprecedented for a rookie.
Looking back, what made Lillard's Rookie of the Year season so memorable to me was how he combined modern scoring efficiency with old-school toughness. He played through minor injuries, never seemed overwhelmed by the moment, and had that special quality where you just knew the ball was going in during big moments. While his finish didn't match Mendoza's jaw-dropping backnine, Barnes' own closing run – three birdies on the last three holes at the front – was enough to seize full control of the boys' 7–10 category. Lillard had that same ability to seize control when it mattered most, whether it was hitting big shots or making the right play in crucial situations. His rookie season wasn't just about winning an award - it was about announcing the arrival of the next great NBA point guard, and honestly, we haven't seen many rookie campaigns that compelling since.