Amick: NBA GM Says Blazers G Damian Lillard Is "Damn Good"

Sam Amick of USA Today Sports lists Damian Lillard in the No. 1 position in his Rookie of the Year race this week, noting that at least one NBA GM is impressed with what the Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard can do.

Damian Lillard, Portland PG: There certainly won't be a change at the top here after Lillard's week that was. But just in case you don't take my word for it, this text message sent from a general manager just about sums it up: "That Lillard kid is damn good."

The note, not surprisingly, came not long after Lillard's game-winning three-pointer that beat the New Orleans Hornets 95-94 on Sunday. When he wasn't getting the best of Hornets big man and top pick Anthony Davis in the ROY showdown, Lillard - who had 16 points and four assists to Davis' 15 points and five rebounds - was finishing with 29 points, six assists and seven rebounds in a 98-90 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. Lillard is averaging 18.8 points and 6.3 rebounds for the season.

Lillard's game-winner against the Hornets can be seen here.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter