Brandon Roy: The Tragic Star of Portland Trail Blazers

In a league as demanding as the NBA, many talents have seen their dreams shattered, particularly due to injuries. We previously discussed the case of Derrick Rose; now, it’s time to focus on Brandon Roy. A fabulous player with immense willpower who had to fight pain throughout his career, all out of love for his cherished franchise.

An Exceptional Start

After a full university career with the Washington Huskies, Brandon Roy entered the 2006 draft and was selected 6th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Immediately afterward, he was traded directly to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Oregon franchise’s goal was clear: bet on the future by creating an inside/outside tandem, pairing Brandon Roy with LaMarcus Aldridge. This association proved successful, as in his very first year in the big league, “The Natural” was voted 2007 Rookie of the Year almost unanimously—127 out of 128 possible votes—averaging 16.8 points per game. An excellent season individually, despite a mediocre collective record of 32 wins and 50 losses, before he exploded onto the world stage.

With the injury of Greg Oden, the 2007 first pick and considered one of the biggest “busts” in history, Portland placed the hopes of the franchise on B-Roy’s shoulders. A new status that he had no trouble carrying. Proof of this is that with 19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, he was selected to the All-Star Game in just his second NBA season and led the Blazers to the playoffs, their first appearance in 6 years. A magnificent feat he repeated for the second consecutive season in 2009/2010. Unfortunately, plagued by numerous injuries, the Blazers failed to advance past the first round.

A Premature Career End

While everything seemed to be going well for Brandon Roy, the Portland guard created a massive shockwave at the start of the 2010/11 season. Despite his strong start, he announced he was suffering from arthritis in his right knee. Doctors were unequivocal: within a few months, he would be unable to step onto an NBA court for the rest of his life. A declaration that surprised everyone except himself. To the press, he stated that he had been fighting the pain for over 4 years and had made sure not to show anything so as not to worry his franchise or his teammates. So, at the end of the season, which once again concluded with a first-round playoff defeat against the Dallas Mavericks, the future champions, Brandon Roy retired, leaving behind an entire legacy.

The Last Dance

After 6 months of convalescence, “The Natural” announced his desire to return to the NBA courts, defying all medical predictions. He joined the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2012… The team that had drafted him a few years earlier. It just goes to show, life sometimes works in mysterious ways. Barely arriving at his new franchise, he underwent numerous medical tests. The results were clear: he was at 80% of his physical capacity. A percentage high enough to secure a two-year, $10.4 million contract. Unfortunately, his dream of returning to the forefront quickly vanished. After only 5 small games in his new colors, Brandon Roy had to undergo arthroscopy on his right knee. An operation that kept him off the courts for a month. Nevertheless, new knee problems hampered his return to the courts. So, 6 months after his signing, the Minneapolis franchise announced the end of its collaboration with the American guard, officially ending his career…

An Atypical Profile That Earned Unanimous Praise

• A Born Scorer ⭐ A guard standing 6’6″ and weighing 212 pounds, his build often allowed him to slip into the small gaps left by the defense to score near the basket. His ability to shoot from anywhere, both mid-range and three-point, also made him a real poison for opposing defenses, which were systematically forced to stay on guard whenever B-Roy had the ball. A difficult-to-stop firebrand who even troubled the greats. Proof of this: Kobe Bryant stated in 2010: “Brandon Roy is the player I have the hardest time defending. He has no weakness.”… Being praised by the Black Mamba is quite an achievement, Brandon!
• The Archetype of the Modern Point Guard 🥵 In addition to his great ability to score in any situation, Brandon Roy possessed all the qualities of the modern point guard… as a shooting guard. The Seattle native managed to control the pace of the game, play without flourishes, never rush, and always found a well-placed teammate to pass the ball to in the best conditions. His speed and court vision were major assets, making him one of the league’s most versatile players.
• Composure Worthy of the Greatest 🥶 If there is one thing the NBA remembers about Brandon Roy’s time in the big league, it is his aptitude for being extremely clutch. Numerous are the times “The Natural” crucified his opponents at the buzzer with shots, each one as impressive as the last, or by his ability to enter “The Zone” during money time… And the Dallas Mavericks won’t say otherwise, but we’ll get back to that. With all these qualities, Brandon Roy was undeniably one of the most feared players in the league. An outstanding scorer who, despite all his injuries, managed to leave his mark on the NBA.

Brandon Roy vs. Dallas Mavericks: When the Phoenix Rises from the Ashes (2011)

While Brandon Roy knew his 2010/2011 season might very well be the last of his career, the guard delivered one final stroke of brilliance during the first round of the 2011 playoffs. Facing the Dallas Mavericks, the Blazers were down 2 games to 1 heading into Game 4… Which did not go as planned at all. During the first 36 minutes—quarters last 12 minutes in the NBA—Portland struggled. The Mavs, much fresher physically, managed to pull away from the Oregon franchise and started the final quarter with a 19-point lead. But just when everyone thought the game was over, Brandon Roy emerged and entered The Zone… The rest is history.

24 points, including 18 points scored in money time, a crazy comeback, and tears of joy at the end of the game after tying the series at 2-2. The Natural knew it. He had just marked the history of his franchise once and for all. Unfortunately, he also knew that he would probably never be able to deliver such a performance again in the future. Proof of this is that the Mavericks won the next two games before going on a long run to the NBA championship title, the only one obtained in Texans’ history.

Ultimately, although B-Roy is mostly known for his injuries, NBA fans do not forget him and prefer to remember the essential. Despite being one of the biggest wasted talents in history, he marked an entire generation. Millions of people remember, and will long remember, all his exploits, securing him a place among the most beloved players of all time.