Shock quickly filled the air of Portland as news broke that star rookie Brandon Roy was sidelined with a left heel injury back in early November. As Roy hobbled around in a boot, many concerned fans threw in the towel on what seemed like a promising rookie of the year campaign.
But, after Roy’s electrifying performances during the last week, all hands should be back on deck with the final destination-Roy hoisting the R.O.Y. trophy at season’s end.
In a week’s time, the talented rookie has elevated his game from being Zach Randolph’s trusty sidekick to being Portland’s No. 1 option down the stretch of last Sunday’s 99-95 victory over Milwaukee. Roy grinded out a career-high 28 points and narrowly missed a double-double with nine boards, but it was huge buckets in the final minutes to secure a Portland win that will raise some eyebrows around the league.
“Yeah, this is the best I have seen from Brandon,” head coach Nate McMillan said. “He was just solid tonight. He made play after play. Whenever they made a run, he was the guy to stop it by making something happen. His last couple games, he looks like he is in better shape. He’s certainly feeling better and he is probably where he was to start the season.”
Roy has been sizzling-hot of late, turning in a 19-point, 10-rebound and six-assist performance against King James and the Cavaliers last Wednesday, and then a 22-point, four-assist outing in Phoenix on Friday. It appears the former Washington standout is finally beginning to find his groove after missing 20 games with the nagging heel injury.
“The injury helped me in some ways, because I’m not hitting that wall right now,” Roy said. “I’m feeling like I am starting to come around, and feel comfortable down the stretch in games. The game is just starting to open up for me. I am not focused on being rookie of the year; I’m just focused on being the best player for this team. If I continue to do that I know I will be in the race for rookie of the year.”
Although Roy is too humble to say it himself, he is putting other rookies with R.O.Y. aspirations on notice with his tremendous play. After falling behind early, and nearly being lapped when he went down with the heel injury, Roy is looking to close in on first place in this race.
The Blazers’ young stud currently sits in fifth place on NBA.com’s rookie rankings. He is behind No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani, former ‘Zag Adam Morrison, Jorge Garbajosa and his hat-switching partner on draft day, Randy Foye. But, after blowing up in his last three outings, look for Roy to climb the rookie ladder once the next rankings are released.
With his 23-point average in Portland’s last three games, Roy moves ahead of Morrison to claim sole possession of the rookie scoring lead, with 14.7 points per contest. Couple Roy’s newly established rookie scoring lead with his three-assist-per-game mark that is tops among rookies, and his resume matches up with any player in his rookie class.
While numbers and averages may be crucial in deciding which player deserves R.O.Y. honors, Portland’s first-year star has an immeasurable attribute that sets him apart. Unlike the others in his rookie class, Roy’s leadership qualities have put him in a position to be trusted with the keys to the Blazers bandwagon. The same can’t be said for Foye, who has Kevin Garnett in his frontcourt, or Morrison with Emeka Okafor and Raymond Felton with the Bobcats.
Roy has the intangibles that place him on a level separate from his fellow rookies. He has the mind and basketball I.Q. of a five-year NBA vet, but the speed and agility of a player that just graduated college in June. He is truly a rare breed in this day and age where most rookies frankly aren’t mentally or physically prepared to play with the world’s best talent. But thus far Roy has proven he more than belongs.
Who knows whether he will be looking down at Morrison, Foye and company from the peak after 82 games, but his inspiring play has certainly restored hope for Portland to again grace the top of the standings in years to come.