tlongII
09-03-2009, 06:13 PM
http://portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=125192382775874700
http://portlandtribune.com/news_graphics/125192575441604000.jpg
Blazers’ star wants redemption for first-round playoff loss
The start of training camp for the Trail Blazers is – gulp – Sept. 29, only a few weeks away.
One sort of significant member of the team says he is rested and ready.
“Can’t wait to get going,” Brandon Roy says.
You might remember Roy from his first three seasons in Portland. NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006-07. NBA All-Star the past two seasons. Recently signed a maximum contract that calls for him to make something in the neighborhood of – double gulp – $77 million to $83 million for five seasons.
Now a full-time Portland resident, Roy recently played in some four-on-four pickup games at the Blazers’ training facility with, among others, Martell Webster, Greg Oden, Steve Blake, Jerryd Bayless and Ime Udoka.
Roy passed on a chance to work out with the U.S. national team at Las Vegas in July to rest his body. Nothing against his country – Roy’s priority is elsewhere.
“This summer was an important one for me to take some time to get healthy,” he says. “As much as I would love to play for the USA, I want to make sure I’m healthy to start the season for the Trail Blazers, for the fans, for management and for my teammates. I owe it to them, that I’m the best I can be.
“Maybe in the future, it’ll work out so I can play for the national team or the Olympic team, but I haven’t given them an answer, and I don’t want them to hold that spot for me. My first obligation is to the Blazers.”
A year ago at this time, Roy was coming off knee surgery. While he had a splendid 2008-09 campaign, averaging 22.6 points, 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds, he never felt 100 percent physically.
Now, he says he does.
“My body feels good,” he says. “It’s the best it’s felt coming into a (NBA) season. I’m really excited.”
Roy did lots of biking and swimming this summer, little running and played zero basketball, all intended to take away from the pounding on his joints.
“Once the season starts, the adrenaline kicks in and I don’t think about the body anymore,” says Roy, who turned 25 in July. “Then it’s, ‘Give me some ice, and when’s the next game?’ ”
Parents’ new home
It’s been a summer of transition for Roy, his fiancée Tiana Bardwell and their two young children, Brandon Jr. and Mariah. Brandon and Tiana decided to make their full-time home in Portland and, by mid-August, had made the move from their home in Seattle to a place in Tualatin near Interstate 205, a 10-minute drive from the practice facility.
“The biggest reason is, I like to be close to our trainers and doctors during the offseason, to continue to strengthen my body and make sure I can have a longer career,” he says. “The Trail Blazers have invested a lot in me, and I want to make the most of that investment.
“Plus, it’s more peaceful, more relaxing for me down here. Back home (in Seattle), I have so many friends and family, sometimes I’ll skip a day’s workout to hang out with them. It’s better for the family not be moving back and forth, but to have one base. I can be more disciplined in Portland and, at the same time, give Tiana and my kids the time they need for us to be together.”
The house in Maple Valley, southeast of Seattle, remains in the family. Brandon gave it to his parents, Edward and Gina, who had been renting their house.
“They’re really excited about that,” Brandon says. “When I first got to the league, I bought a house in Seattle. They didn’t want to me to buy them a house, didn’t want to me to feel the pressure of taking care of them. I always thought to myself, ‘If I make it to that second contract, I want to buy them a home.’ ”
After signing his contract in August, Roy approached his parents. “I said, ‘Mom and Dad, we’re going to move to Portland. Would you want my house, or would you like me to buy you another house?’ ” Roy says. “And they said, ‘We love your home.’ So they’re living there now. It made me feel good to be able to do that.”
The enormity of the new contract has sunk in. But it hasn’t changed him, Roy insists.
“A lot of people ask how it feels,” he says. “I mean, I’m thrilled. I would never deny that. But money has never defined me as a person. It has motivated me, because it helps me take of my family. I have a deep bank account now. But it hasn’t changed much in my life.
“My motivation for wanting to be the best is the same. I’m going to be in the gym, trying to work as hard as the 15th guy on the roster. I’m still the same Brandon Roy. I want to be the best player I can be and the best person I can be.”
Roy pauses for a few seconds, then continues.
“When you come into money, you get placed under a microscope,” he says. “People wonder, ‘Has he changed?’ My mom said, ‘Just continue to be yourself.’
“The main thing is, I still want to be the best. I want to win a championship. I want Portland to win a championship. That drives me to this day.”
Roy hasn’t spoken with point guard Andre Miller, Portland’s major free-agent acquisition of the summer.
“He’s going to come in around Sept. 14 or 15 and start working out,” Roy says. “He’ll fit in great. He’s something we’ve been missing a little bit – that veteran player who has been in playoff situations and can help lead guys. Not only can he make me a better player, but he can also make our big men better.
“I’m excited to see him and (Steve) Blake tag-team it at point guard. Steve has done a terrific job the past two years, and he’ll continue to bring what he brings, but now he doesn’t have to do it for long minutes. It’s only going to make us a better team.”
Get back to playoffs
The Blazers’ other major news item of the summer – coach Nate McMillan’s contract extension through the 2010-11 season – was welcome to the team’s captain.
“I’m thrilled about that,” Roy says. “From the moment I came in with Coach Nate, he has been nothing but great for me. A lot of young guys have their highs and lows when they come into the league. Mine have been limited because of my relationship with the coach.
“I don’t know if it’s because of the Seattle connection, but I’ve always had a feel for what he wants. It goes both ways. During my rookie year he said, ‘You have a lot of pressure, but you’re not out there alone.’ We’re comfortable with each other, we trust each other, there’s nothing we can’t say to each other. I know I didn’t want to change coaches. We have a good thing going.”
The still-young Blazers have every key player back from a team that won 54 games last season, plus Miller. Many fans think this could be the year they challenge the Los Angeles Lakers. Roy isn’t making any rash predictions.
“The best way to put it is, you have seven teams in the West chasing the Lakers, and we’re one of them,” he says. “The conference is brutal. It’s not going to be about how we look on paper, or about us talking about how good we are.
“Our goal is to get better, get back to the playoffs and do what we can to redeem ourselves for losing in the first round last season.”
http://portlandtribune.com/news_graphics/125192575441604000.jpg
Blazers’ star wants redemption for first-round playoff loss
The start of training camp for the Trail Blazers is – gulp – Sept. 29, only a few weeks away.
One sort of significant member of the team says he is rested and ready.
“Can’t wait to get going,” Brandon Roy says.
You might remember Roy from his first three seasons in Portland. NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006-07. NBA All-Star the past two seasons. Recently signed a maximum contract that calls for him to make something in the neighborhood of – double gulp – $77 million to $83 million for five seasons.
Now a full-time Portland resident, Roy recently played in some four-on-four pickup games at the Blazers’ training facility with, among others, Martell Webster, Greg Oden, Steve Blake, Jerryd Bayless and Ime Udoka.
Roy passed on a chance to work out with the U.S. national team at Las Vegas in July to rest his body. Nothing against his country – Roy’s priority is elsewhere.
“This summer was an important one for me to take some time to get healthy,” he says. “As much as I would love to play for the USA, I want to make sure I’m healthy to start the season for the Trail Blazers, for the fans, for management and for my teammates. I owe it to them, that I’m the best I can be.
“Maybe in the future, it’ll work out so I can play for the national team or the Olympic team, but I haven’t given them an answer, and I don’t want them to hold that spot for me. My first obligation is to the Blazers.”
A year ago at this time, Roy was coming off knee surgery. While he had a splendid 2008-09 campaign, averaging 22.6 points, 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds, he never felt 100 percent physically.
Now, he says he does.
“My body feels good,” he says. “It’s the best it’s felt coming into a (NBA) season. I’m really excited.”
Roy did lots of biking and swimming this summer, little running and played zero basketball, all intended to take away from the pounding on his joints.
“Once the season starts, the adrenaline kicks in and I don’t think about the body anymore,” says Roy, who turned 25 in July. “Then it’s, ‘Give me some ice, and when’s the next game?’ ”
Parents’ new home
It’s been a summer of transition for Roy, his fiancée Tiana Bardwell and their two young children, Brandon Jr. and Mariah. Brandon and Tiana decided to make their full-time home in Portland and, by mid-August, had made the move from their home in Seattle to a place in Tualatin near Interstate 205, a 10-minute drive from the practice facility.
“The biggest reason is, I like to be close to our trainers and doctors during the offseason, to continue to strengthen my body and make sure I can have a longer career,” he says. “The Trail Blazers have invested a lot in me, and I want to make the most of that investment.
“Plus, it’s more peaceful, more relaxing for me down here. Back home (in Seattle), I have so many friends and family, sometimes I’ll skip a day’s workout to hang out with them. It’s better for the family not be moving back and forth, but to have one base. I can be more disciplined in Portland and, at the same time, give Tiana and my kids the time they need for us to be together.”
The house in Maple Valley, southeast of Seattle, remains in the family. Brandon gave it to his parents, Edward and Gina, who had been renting their house.
“They’re really excited about that,” Brandon says. “When I first got to the league, I bought a house in Seattle. They didn’t want to me to buy them a house, didn’t want to me to feel the pressure of taking care of them. I always thought to myself, ‘If I make it to that second contract, I want to buy them a home.’ ”
After signing his contract in August, Roy approached his parents. “I said, ‘Mom and Dad, we’re going to move to Portland. Would you want my house, or would you like me to buy you another house?’ ” Roy says. “And they said, ‘We love your home.’ So they’re living there now. It made me feel good to be able to do that.”
The enormity of the new contract has sunk in. But it hasn’t changed him, Roy insists.
“A lot of people ask how it feels,” he says. “I mean, I’m thrilled. I would never deny that. But money has never defined me as a person. It has motivated me, because it helps me take of my family. I have a deep bank account now. But it hasn’t changed much in my life.
“My motivation for wanting to be the best is the same. I’m going to be in the gym, trying to work as hard as the 15th guy on the roster. I’m still the same Brandon Roy. I want to be the best player I can be and the best person I can be.”
Roy pauses for a few seconds, then continues.
“When you come into money, you get placed under a microscope,” he says. “People wonder, ‘Has he changed?’ My mom said, ‘Just continue to be yourself.’
“The main thing is, I still want to be the best. I want to win a championship. I want Portland to win a championship. That drives me to this day.”
Roy hasn’t spoken with point guard Andre Miller, Portland’s major free-agent acquisition of the summer.
“He’s going to come in around Sept. 14 or 15 and start working out,” Roy says. “He’ll fit in great. He’s something we’ve been missing a little bit – that veteran player who has been in playoff situations and can help lead guys. Not only can he make me a better player, but he can also make our big men better.
“I’m excited to see him and (Steve) Blake tag-team it at point guard. Steve has done a terrific job the past two years, and he’ll continue to bring what he brings, but now he doesn’t have to do it for long minutes. It’s only going to make us a better team.”
Get back to playoffs
The Blazers’ other major news item of the summer – coach Nate McMillan’s contract extension through the 2010-11 season – was welcome to the team’s captain.
“I’m thrilled about that,” Roy says. “From the moment I came in with Coach Nate, he has been nothing but great for me. A lot of young guys have their highs and lows when they come into the league. Mine have been limited because of my relationship with the coach.
“I don’t know if it’s because of the Seattle connection, but I’ve always had a feel for what he wants. It goes both ways. During my rookie year he said, ‘You have a lot of pressure, but you’re not out there alone.’ We’re comfortable with each other, we trust each other, there’s nothing we can’t say to each other. I know I didn’t want to change coaches. We have a good thing going.”
The still-young Blazers have every key player back from a team that won 54 games last season, plus Miller. Many fans think this could be the year they challenge the Los Angeles Lakers. Roy isn’t making any rash predictions.
“The best way to put it is, you have seven teams in the West chasing the Lakers, and we’re one of them,” he says. “The conference is brutal. It’s not going to be about how we look on paper, or about us talking about how good we are.
“Our goal is to get better, get back to the playoffs and do what we can to redeem ourselves for losing in the first round last season.”