He might not be as explosive as he used to be back in his heydays, but Roy says he is a lot smarter as a basketball players since his knee procedure – NBA News
Brandon Roy was once a rising star in the NBA before his knees gave up on him.
The All Star played for the Portland Trail Blazers before announcing his retirement last pre season.
His explosiveness and speed to drive into the paint was as good as anybody else. However, Roy’s knees degenerated over the course of his career with the Blazers, and he sat out most of his last season with the Blazers. Roy’s career
seemed over at that time and the retirement only confirmed that fact.
It was game over for Roy, but then he had the Regenecon procedure on his knees, the same procedure Kobe Bryant got done last pre season, and the young shooting guard is ready to make his comeback in the league with the Minnesota
Timberwolves.
However, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Roy will be as effective and explosive as he was before the injuries. Roy recently talked to Dennis Scott of NBA TV about his return to the game and how he expected his body,
particularly his knees, to respond.
Although Roy admitted that he did not have the same explosiveness and pace that he once possessed, he was confident that he would be able to play through the season by making smart decisions.
“I’ll be honest, some of the lift isn’t what it used to be. But my explosiveness, my explosiveness to get to the basket, is good. More than anything, I think I’m a lot smarter of a basketball player. The NBA season is long and
my body isn’t what it used to be. Right now I feel great. Me and coach [Rick] Adelman are going to sit down before the season and communicate throughout the year about how I’m feeling and what’s the best way to get the most out of me. I feel great, right now
there’s nothing holding me back, I can go out there and play as much as I like,” said Roy during the interview.
Head coach Rick Adelman will have a tough job on his hands next season when he tries to balance Roy’s playing time and fitness level. Roy’s return and presence in the Wolves locker room will be beneficial for the young roster,
and he can add value on the court as well as long as his minutes are well managed.
Roy joins an improved Wolves roster, which now boasts players like Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved alongside Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. This will be one of the teams to watch out in the Western Conference next season.
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