Canzano: Damian Lillard -- and the Trail Blazers -- needed Phil Knight

Shoe Dog never would have let it come to this.

The rural neighborhood where Damian Lillard resides is tucked away off a winding country road in West Linn.

I know the property.

A couple of friends live nearby and when the five-acre parcel was initially listed for sale for $1.25 million a few years ago, I pulled into the driveway out of curiosity and took a walk around.