Brandon Roy
Spotlighting the Portland Trailblazer's Second Year Star
After nearly skipping college to enter the NBA straight out of high school, Brandon Roy parlayed a four-year college career into an impressive start in the NBA.
Brandon Roy almost didn’t go to college. He almost missed leading the University of Washington Huskies to two consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearances. He almost missed extending his shooting range from 17 feet to well outside the three-point arc. He almost missed the chance to develop the mental maturity and poise necessary to enhance his already impressive natural talent. And most importantly, he almost missed the chance to become the “face of the program,” a label ascribed to Roy by University of Washington assistant coach Jim Shaw.
But Roy withdrew his name from the 2002 draft. And when he was picked 6th overall in the 2006 draft, he would become the face of another organization: The Portland Trailblazers. He proudly represented the team during the following year’s draft, when the Rookie of the Year accepted the number one lottery pick on behalf of the Portland Trailblazers. When Portland selected Greg Oden, a dominant Center from Ohio State, the fans thought they acquired a player to build the franchise around for years to come. It turns out, they already had one.
Greg Oden underwent microfracture surgery and Portland announced that he would miss the entire 2007-08 season. Expectations for the Trailblazers ran low, especially when the team got off to a 5-12 start. On December 3, the Trailblazers squeezed out a one-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Led by second year man Brandon Roy, the NBA’s youngest team proceeded to put together a 13 game winning streak, the longest this season for any team in the league. Portland is currently battling the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz for first place in the Northwest Division, as the former R.O.Y. is starting to look more like an M.V.P.
Effective in 2006, the NBA implemented an age rule that mandates a one year lapse between high school graduation and draft eligibility. This rule essentially forces a prospective draftee to choose a college to play at for at least one year. While many promising prospects are disappointed by the NBA’s age rule, the experience playing at the University of Washington seemed to make all the difference for Roy. Shaw believes that Roy would have had no chance at being named Rookie of the Year had he entered the draft out of high school in 2002. Shaw cites Roy’s ability to take over games at crucial times and his desire to be the go-to guy as qualities that have made him so successful in leading the young Blazer’s team. And while his talent is inherent, his leadership is a product of experience.
Shaw believes that Roy made the right decision in delaying the gratification of entering the NBA early. Shaw says, “I just think that his timing was perfect. The last half of senior year, he was an NBA player playing in college. He went into the NBA as an NBA player.”
Roy currently leads the Trailblazers in points, assists, and steals as the team continues their cohesive and dominant play. The team known for its shortcomings—including youth, inexperience, and the absence of number one draft pick Greg Oden—has become the team to beat. Asked if Roy is a legitimate MVP candidate, Shaw responds, “I think he’s a legitimate all-star.”
Whether or not Roy gets to play in New Orleans, it is clear that Portland has found its all-star. And it doesn’t look like the face of the franchise will be representing the team in the draft lottery this year.
