This really hasn't hit home with me yet. Still seems surreal to me that he is gone forever. http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/12/brandon_roy_says_he_knew_it_wa.html
Yeah, I was listening to Strong at Night on the drive home, and Quick summarized his conversation with John. It was really heart-breaking to hear. I really hope he can come back to the Blazers in some capacity, at least when he is ready.
As someone who has had knee surgery I knew Roy was done as an All-Star last year, theres just no fixing knees in that bad of shape. I wanted him off the team, because I didn't think he could accept a spot as only a role player, and a role player at best was all he could be. I was glad when the new CBA had an amnesty provision and we would be able to get out of his contract. But him actually announcing the retirement last Friday really made me sad. I was shocked that it effected me so much emotionally, I mean this is what I wanted, right? I had come to terms with it last season, right? But I guess to finally know his days of playing are done forever when he had such an amazing start to a career is heartbreaking. It's all just so sad. Was there a part of me that still had hope his knees would improve? He was so dominant before that final injury against the Lakers. Best of luck in your future endeavors Brandon. Going back to school sounds like a good idea; best to have some time away from the game.
I would love for the chance for Blazer fans to give their one last appreciation to Brandon and give him a standing O and tell him thank you for the past five years. Unfortunately, it sounds like that's not going to happen for awhile since it seems like emotionally, Roy isn't ready for that or ready to admit that he's retired. I wish it could happen though, to chant his name, chant MVP one more time or somethin. He deserves it and I think fans want to show our love to him one more time.
Cried reading that story... Brandon is a class act. I don't think I've ever seen this type of love and compassion for the game in all the years I've seen basketball. Love the guy.
The one positive for me about Roy's retirement is that Paul Allen, Larry Miller, and the Blazer brass let Brandon arrive at the decision himself. I read too many posters on this board who were just willing to waive the guy without seeing what he had left, if anything, and that would have been a PR disaster. The Roy situation was handled as well as it could have been by team management, and although I've been very critical of them for many other things, they hit a home run on this one. It makes me feel a lot better as a huge fan of Brandon's knowing that he arrived at a very difficult decision by himself, after all he did for this franchise. I don't think people living in Texas, or other places, know exactly what Roy meant to this city, and to this franchise, so I just tend to ignore those negative opinions.
He quite literally gave his knees for this city, this team, and its fans. I happen to think that retiring his number is a no-brainer, and I'm positive it will happen when Brandon is finally ready emotionally to handle what will be one of the most emotional nights the Rose Garden will ever see.
Let him be with his family first. He needs time away from basketball to accept his condition. Bringing him back too early will be just too painful for him, IMO. The kid loves basketball; he loved being the man. Sitting on the bench without being able to be on the court could be devastating to him.
He was vastly underpaid on his rookie deal, and the Blazers are only on the hook for 20% of its remainder. I know you've enjoyed slamming Roy for years, so I don't expect you to stop now.
