Brandon Roy

3.2.1. Debut and Rookie of the Year (2006-07 season)

Roy made his NBA debut in his hometown against the Seattle SuperSonics, scoring 20 points in that game and 19 in the subsequent one. An impingement in his left heel forced him to miss 20 games early in the season. However, he recorded his first career double-double shortly after his return, on December 22, 2006, against the Toronto Raptors. By the end of January 2007, Roy led all NBA rookies with an average of 14.5 points per game. He became the fourth Trail Blazer to be selected for the Rookie Challenge since its inception in 1994, and the first Trail Blazer to participate in the All-Star Weekend since Rasheed Wallace in 2001.

Roy was named the Western Conference's Rookie of the Month for January, February, and March 2007. After averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game during the 2006-07 NBA season, Roy was overwhelmingly voted NBA Rookie of the Year, receiving 127 out of 128 first-place votes. Despite playing in only 57 games due to injury, the second-fewest games for a Rookie of the Year, he became the third Trail Blazer to win the award, following Geoff Petrie and Sidney Wicks. At the end of Roy's rookie season, then-team captain Zach Randolph was traded to the New York Knicks, allowing Roy to assume a significant leadership role on the team.

3.2.2. All-Star Selections and All-NBA Honors (2007-09 seasons)

Roy started in the first 48 games of the 2007-08 NBA season, averaging 19.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds. He also led the Blazers to a 13-game winning streak in December. Roy was selected as a reserve for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, where he scored 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. He injured his right ankle in the final game before the All-Star Weekend, which affected his play in the following weeks. He also participated in the Rookie Challenge for the second time, this time as a "sophomore," alongside teammate LaMarcus Aldridge. Roy played approximately 29 minutes in the All-Star game, the most of any Western Conference player, and tied Chris Paul and Amar'e Stoudemire with 18 points.

In the 2008 preseason, Roy underwent a 20-minute medical procedure in Vancouver, Washington, to remove a piece of cartilage causing irritation in his left knee. Despite missing several weeks for rehabilitation, he was ready for the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. On November 6, against the Houston Rockets, Roy made a game-winning 30 ft jumper in overtime with 0.8 seconds remaining. On December 18, Roy scored a career-high 52 points against the Phoenix Suns, making 14 of 27 field goals, 19 of 21 free throws, and 5 of 7 three-pointers, along with six assists, five rebounds, and a blocked shot, all without a turnover. This performance was just one field goal shy of the Blazers' franchise record of 54 points. On January 24, Roy tied a Blazers franchise record with 10 steals against the Washington Wizards, a feat he repeated on February 8 against the New York Knicks, where he also made a game-winning layup at the buzzer to secure a 109-108 victory. As of February 16, 2009, Roy had made 24 shots that tied or won games with 35 seconds or less remaining. He was again selected as a reserve for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, scoring 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists in a game-high 31 minutes. On April 13, Roy was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the fourth time, joining Clyde Drexler as the only Blazers to achieve this distinction. Roy finished ninth in MVP voting for the 2008-09 season with 7 points. On May 13, he was named to the All-NBA Second Team, becoming the first Blazer to make an All-NBA team since the 1991-92 season. Under Roy's leadership, the young Trail Blazers team achieved a 54-28 record, making their first playoff appearance in six seasons.

3.2.3. Career Highs and Notable Performances

Brandon Roy's career was highlighted by several individual bests and clutch plays:

• 52 points:** Achieved on December 18, 2008, against the Phoenix Suns. This was the second-highest scoring game in Trail Blazers franchise history.
• 16 field goals:** Recorded on December 25, 2009, against the Denver Nuggets.
• 5 three-point field goals:** Achieved twice.
• 19 free throws:** Made on December 18, 2008, against the Phoenix Suns.
• 5 offensive rebounds:** Achieved twice.
• 12 defensive rebounds:** Recorded on February 21, 2008, against the Seattle SuperSonics.
• 14 total rebounds:** Also on February 21, 2008, against the Seattle SuperSonics.
• 12 assists:** Achieved twice.
• 10 steals:** Achieved twice, setting a Trail Blazers franchise record.
• 2 blocks:** Achieved four times.

He was also known for his clutch performances, making 24 shots that tied or won games with 35 seconds or less remaining by February 2009.

3.2.4. Injuries and Final Season (2009-11 seasons)

On August 5, 2009, Roy agreed to a four-year maximum-salary contract with a fifth-year player option, ensuring his stay with the Trail Blazers until at least the 2013-14 season. He was selected for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, his third All-Star selection. However, he was sidelined due to a right hamstring injury sustained on January 13 against the Milwaukee Bucks and re-aggravated on January 20 against the Philadelphia 76ers, forcing him to withdraw from the All-Star Game.

On April 11, 2010, Roy injured his right knee. A MRI confirmed a bone contusion and a slight meniscus tear. He underwent surgery on April 16 and was initially expected to miss at least the first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs. However, he made a remarkable return for Game 4 after only eight days of recovery, helping the Blazers secure a win. On May 6, he was named to the All-NBA Third Team, marking his second consecutive All-NBA selection. Shortly before the following season, rival player Kobe Bryant praised Roy, calling him the hardest player to guard in the Western Conference, stating he had "no weaknesses in his game." Roy was also featured as the cover athlete for the video game NBA 10: The Inside.

The 2010-11 NBA season saw Roy start at his usual scoring rate for the first month. However, by December, his chronic knee issues, which had plagued him since college and were injured in April, began to severely impact his play due to a lack of cartilage. He missed nine games before the Trail Blazers announced he would be out indefinitely, leading many to believe he could no longer play at an All-Star level. This forced the team to rely heavily on LaMarcus Aldridge and newcomer Wesley Matthews for offense. On January 17, 2011, Roy underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees. He returned to the lineup on February 25, scoring 18 points off the bench, including a crucial three-pointer to force overtime, helping the Blazers defeat the Denver Nuggets 107-106. He spent the remainder of the season as a reserve, finishing with career-low averages of 12.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 28 minutes played across 47 games.

In the first round of the 2011 NBA playoffs, the Blazers faced the eventual champions, the Dallas Mavericks. Roy struggled in the first two games, shooting 1-for-8, including a scoreless Game 2 where he played only 8 minutes. The Blazers lost both games, trailing 0-2 in the series. Roy expressed frustration about being the last substitution in the first two quarters and his limited playing time after receiving 26 minutes in Game 1. In Game 4, after a quiet first half, the Blazers missed their first 15 shots after halftime, allowing the Mavericks to build a 67-44 lead. Roy then made a three-pointer late in the third quarter to cut the lead to 67-49. In the fourth quarter, after going 1-for-3 in the previous three quarters, Roy scored 18 points, including a crucial 4-point play to tie the game and a bank shot with 49 seconds left to give his team the lead for good. He finished with 24 points, leading the Blazers to an improbable 84-82 comeback victory that tied the series. This game is considered one of the most significant comebacks in NBA playoff history, with Roy later stating he was "in the zone." Despite Roy's heroics, the Blazers ultimately lost the series in Game 6.

Just before NBA training camp opened following the resolution of the 2011 NBA lockout, Roy announced his retirement from basketball. His knees had degenerated to the point where he lacked cartilage between the bones of both knees, making it impossible to continue playing at a professional level, despite his efforts in rehabilitation during the offseason. Following his retirement announcement, the Portland Trail Blazers utilized their amnesty clause on Roy's contract for salary cap flexibility.

3.3.1. Comeback Attempt and Season (2012-13 season)

In June 2012, Roy announced his intention to return to the NBA, stating that his knees had recovered sufficiently after undergoing a platelet-rich plasma procedure, similar to one received by Kobe Bryant, to maintain knee health. Due to the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement and Portland's use of the amnesty clause on him in 2011, he was unable to play for the Trail Blazers again. Roy entered the free agent market on July 1, 2012, reportedly expressing interest in signing with the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, or Chicago Bulls.

On July 31, 2012, Roy signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, joining All-Star forward Kevin Love and point guard Ricky Rubio. He chose to wear No. 3, the same number he wore during his college career at Washington. Although he felt well during training camp, he sustained an injury after a collision during a preseason game on October 26, 2012. He played in only five regular season games before requiring season-ending surgery on his right knee. During the 2012-13 NBA season, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 24.4 minutes per game. The Timberwolves waived Roy on May 10, 2013. Reflecting on his brief return, Roy stated, "Any time you walk away from the game, you have 'what-ifs'. I feel like I was able to answer those questions last year by going out there and giving it a try." His playing career officially concluded after this second retirement.