Brandon Roy all set to make NBA return on Friday for the Minnesota Timberwolves – NBA News
The Minnesota Timberwolves have had one of the most amazing offseasons out of all the teams in the NBA. The Wolves added some great players and have increased the depth of the roster to make themselves one of the favourites to finish in the top eight in the Western Conference this year. And out of all their new acquisitions, it is Brandon Roy that has the team and fans most excited about.
The 2006-07 rookie of the year, Roy made an instant impact in the NBA as he helped the Portland Trail Blazers secure playoff berths and in the process, got nominated to All Star teams on multiple occasions. His career came to an abrupt halt when his knees started giving up on him and Roy struggled to regain his fitness. The situation got so bad that Roy announced his retirement at the end of the 2010-2011 season, and sat out the whole last season. However, Roy underwent the platelet rich plasma therapy and began working out again, before announcing earlier in the year that he would be returning to the NBA for the 2012-2013 season.
On Friday night, Roy will make his much awaited and anticipated return to the NBA when he debuts for the Wolves in their season opener against the Sacramento Kings. He played in all the preseason games, and coped well with the rigours of an NBA game and extended minutes of play, but the real challenge will start now.
“The preseason was great, but it's nothing like actually getting your name back in the books again for a real game. I'm excited. I've got some of my family coming into town. I'm just going to go out there, play hard and try to enjoy it,” said Roy.
Roy has a lot to prove as he makes his return to the NBA. Firstly, he has to prove that he is fit and healthy enough to play competitively in the NBA and that his knee issues are behind him. Secondly, he has to prove that he still has the skills and talent to play at the highest level. If he can return to his former All Star self, that would be the icing on the cake for Roy and a big boost for the Wolves in their pursuit of a playoff spot.
“He'll find out as we find out, but I think he has certainly shown us that in the game he still has the skills to do the things. I don't think we can plan two weeks in advance. We just have to take it as it comes, and hopefully you have other guys ready to play if he can't go,” said Wolves Head Coach Rick Adelman.
Adelman plans to start Roy off by limiting him to 30 minutes of playing time per game, and seeing how his body and his knees particularly respond to the challenge. Both Roy and the Wolves know that it is a long season and Roy needs to be in good health near the end, which is why they can afford to be cautious with him in the beginning. But it is going to be remarkable turnaround in the life of this young player when he takes the court on Friday.
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