It was the week before the season opener when Trail Blazers employees filed out of the business offices at the Moda Center and made the short walk to Dr. Jack’s, a popular restaurant and bar.



They were gathering for a Happy Hour celebration of Lori Spencer, who has worked in the ticket office for 40 years. But before the champagne toasts, all eyes were drawn to a special visitor.



There at the party, with flowers in hand, stood Damian Lillard, the team’s star point guard and franchise pillar. No one had invited Lillard, and no one knew he was coming. He just showed up, melting Spencer in the process.



“He has a heart,” Spencer, 69, said, “that exceeds basketball.”



He hugged her and presented her with the flowers, thanked her for all she had done, then stayed for more than an hour, mingling with employees.



It was vintage Lillard: No cameras arranged to promote his appearance, no fanfare in telling people...