Having led Portland further than anyone had anticipated last season, expectations are higher than ever for Damian Lillard, and the two-time All-Star is aiming for the NBA’s highest individual award in 2016-17.

Lillard says he’s gunning for the MVP.

.@Dame_Lillard on personal goals for this season: "MVP. I wanna be the MVP." (1/2) — Jay Allen (@PDXjay) October 23, 2016

Lillard: "If we come out & do the things we're capable of doing as a team & we win games…" (more) — Jay Allen (@PDXjay) October 23, 2016

Final #Lillard: "…I think that means that my performance would be at a level of the MVP." @trailblazers #RipCity — Jay Allen (@PDXjay) October 23, 2016

The 26-year-old is coming off career highs in points (25.1) and assists (6.8), while pushing the Trail Blazers to 44 wins and the fifth seed in the Western Conference.

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