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Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard delivered his nod of approval to the Raiders on Saturday after the team acquired wide receiver Antonio Brown from the Steelers. Lillard, a prideful Oakland native, had a quick message regarding the trade after Portland secured a victory over Phoenix.
A visibly giddy Lillard had this to say (via NBC Sports Northwest):
Oakland native and diehard @Raiders fans @Dame_Lillard's day went from good to great when he heard his team traded for @AB84, "I feel amazing. It's the best news I got all day. It's The Nation!" #RipCity #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/gVJeckaqMr
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) March 10, 2019
Lillard’s love for the Silver & Black is no secret. Earlier in the season, Lillard and his fellow teammates attended the Raiders’ matchup against CJ McCollum’s Browns. After a thrilling contest that went to overtime, it was Lillard’s squad that left with the win.
The Raiders are now poised to recover from a down year in 2018. After sending receiver Amari Cooper to the Cowboys in a midseason trade, Head Coach Jon Gruden’s offense entered the offseason looking for an upgrade. Brown is exactly that and more. Since entering the NFL as pick No. 195 in the 2010 NFL Draft, the former Central Michigan standout has amassed 11,207 receiving yards.