It’s been nearly 15 months since we last saw former 3 time NBA All Star Brandon Roy on the NBA hardwood, after the Trailblazers’ former franchise player retired all too early following the 2011 Playoffs, due to a degenerative knee condition eating away the cartilage in both knees.
But after more than a year of intense rehabbing, the man known as “B-Roy” is back on the comeback trail, signing a 2 year – $10.4 million free agent deal to play with the Minnesota Timberwolves for next season. Do doubt, Roy will add some veteran leadership to a young and talented roster with the likes of Kevin Love, Derrick Williams, and Ricky Rubio in tow.
With the 2012-2013 season rapidly approaching, the obvious question remains…….does Brandon Roy have anything left?
During his rather short prime of his career from ’08-’10, Roy was the prototypical below the rim 2-guard, averaging 21.5 ppg, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, while shooting nearly 50% from the floor, 38% from three, and 80% from the line. While he wasn’t always the flashiest player that could jump out of the gym, Roy personified winning, doing whatever was necessary to regularly lead the Blazers on another Playoff run. Roy was so good, that several of his NBA peers even considered Roy a better player than Kobe Bryant at the time.
If the Wolves are getting anything close to the highlight reel All Star caliber player that was a Rip City icon in Portland, and Minnesota may be finally making a push towards the postseason for the first time since KG was patrolling the paint, especially once 2nd year electrifying PG Ricky Rubio returns from injury.
Check out Brandon Roy in Summer League action:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
