Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy, who has missed most of the season after undergoing knee surgery, addressed media in Portland before the Wolves faced off against the Trail Blazers. Roy reflected on his five seasons in Portland as well as updating on the status of his rehab and the future of his career. Ben Golliver of BlazersEdge has a full transcript of Roy's comments.
On the status of his rehabilitation from knee surgery:
I'm doing good. I've been doing good for a few weeks now. Working without any setbacks. I'm getting closer to getting back out there on the court. I was talking to Kevin [Love] and Chase [Budinger] and those guys, once they're healthy, I'll be that much closer and we'll give ourselves a good look at what we could have been had we been healthy. Maybe it's just timing also.
On how many more years he plans to play:
I'm not sure. My body has a lot to say about that. At the end of the year, I'll do some reflecting on how this season went and if I want to continue. I made the commitment at the beginning of the year that I'm going to stick with this season no matter what through the ups and downs and at the end of the year I'll reflect on things and do I still want to go forward. I'm not going to make that decision now, I know maybe people want me to. I made a commitment and I'm going to stick it out.
Thoughts on Blazers rookie guard Damian Lillard:
He's a good player. Being in Minnesota I don't get to watch as many Portland games, but the games I've watched, he's a really tough player. I didn't know he could shoot the ball that good. He's a really good three-pointer shooter. He's just tough on the court and he makes big shots, timely shots. He's going to be a special player in this league.
He's solid. I've never really been one to compare guys to myself but I see a lot of Chauncey Billups in him. Chauncey wasn't at that level so early but you could see a lot of similarities. He just comes down and makes timely baskets. Playing against guys like Chauncey, that's what they did. He's going to be a really good player in this league.
Reflections on the would-be dynasty in Portland with LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden:
I never really do it. But people will sit around and watch games and go, 'man, if you guys could have stayed healthy,' and they will mention Greg, me and LaMarcus, we had a lot of young talented pieces. Some people say you guys could have been this, you could have been that. I'm the type where unless you work and actually get that, it's just a what if. If you think too hard on the what ifs, it takes too much credit from the teams that are actually going out and doing it.
I wish a follow-up question had of been asked trying to get Roy to nail down a more specific time table for when he expects to be back. He says he’s getting close to being back on the court, but then says he’ll be closer after Love and Budinger return, which won’t be for another 2-4 weeks. So is Roy thinking end of March? April?
Also wish somebody had of called him out when talking about possibly playing more years. He hoodwinked Minnesota out of $5 million this year. Of course the guy’s not going to retire and proclaims that he’s honoring his contract. He’s getting paid big money to ride a rehab bike and sit his rear on the bench in a three piece suit. So would he play in 2014 if his agent could trick another team into thinking he’ll be healthy? For another $5 million dollars, you bet he would!
This is not about Roy being a team player and contributing. This is about him being a used car salesman, fully knowing he’s selling a lemon for an inflated price and that the car’s going to break down the minute it gets out of the parking lot. Buyer beware!
Hey asshole, minisota new damn well the risk they were taking when they signed roy, but they defided that the potential benefits outweighed the risks. Broy is one the of the PEOPLE in the nba and is doing this for a love of the game. Do you really think he would be risking his abitlity to walk for 5mil, when he already is set for life off of his deal with portland? He retired for a reason so open your eyes a little
Brandon Roy is one of the most humble, generous, inspiring bb players ever, not to mention P-towns favorite son. Watching him play, I was like a child seeing a fantasy spring to life. He has fought a long battle, worked so hard to keep his dream alive, and no MN had their eyes fully open when they signed BRoy to a contact. His team, as well as all his fans, want to see him healthy to play again. BRoy, we miss you and we love you.