Just before Damian Lillard, the darling of the Blazers was named Brandon Roy (39 years old today). A superb player to watch, capable of averaging almost 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists at his peak (2008/09) and announced as one of the future greats of the NBA, before his physique – and more specifically his knees – did not act up.
Rookie of the Year 2007, present in the Top 10 of the 2009 MVP, triple All-Star (2008-10) and twice member of an All-NBA Team (2009-10), “The Natural” has spent (almost) his entire career with the Blazersapart from five anecdotal games played for Wolves in 2012/13, after his first retirement.
On the other hand, it is impossible to forget his passage of five years to Portland, where he was initially called upon to form a formidable duo with Greg Oden, another talent shattered by injuries. Under the orders of Nate McMillan, alongside LaMarcus Aldridge, Zach Randolph, Andre Miller, Gerald Wallace, Wes Matthews or even Nicolas Batum, Brandon Roy helped put the light on the Oregon franchise, post-JailBlazers.
“No weakness” in his game for Kobe Bryant
Knighted by Kobe Bryant himselfwho did not see no weakness In his game, this back, endowed with solid fundamentals, a devastating dribble, a lethal shot and an ability to finish strong despite the defenders, made the Rose Garden happy. Posting 20.2 points, 5.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals on average in his first four seasons, 47% shooting (including 35% 3-pointers) and 80% throwing.
High point of his years Blazers? This evening of April 23, 2011 when, facing the future champions of the Mavericks, Brandon Roy achieved his very last feat in the league.
Having become a substitute because of his arthritis in his left knee, contracted at 26 due to a lack of cartilage, he overthrew Dallas with… 24 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter, to make up for a deficit of -23 from a “game winner” at halfway and to tie it at 2-2 in this series of the first round of the playoffs…
Unforgettable, like that cursed question posed by all Portland fans and lovers of the orange ball when thinking back to the elegant “B-Roy”: what if his body hadn’t failed him so early in his career?
| Brandon Roy | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2006-07 | ORP | 57 | 35 | 45.6 | 37.7 | 83.8 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 16.8 |
| 2007-08 | ORP | 74 | 38 | 45.4 | 34.0 | 75.3 | 1.1 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2008-09 | ORP | 78 | 37 | 48.0 | 37.7 | 82.4 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 22.6 |
| 2009-10 | ORP | 65 | 37 | 47.3 | 33.0 | 78.0 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 21.5 |
| 2010-11 | ORP | 47 | 28 | 40.0 | 33.3 | 84.8 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 12.2 |
| 2012-13 | MIN | 5 | 24 | 31.4 | 0.0 | 70.0 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 4.6 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 5.8 |
| Total | 326 | 36 | 45.9 | 34.8 | 80.0 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 18.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
