Brandon Roy’s return to NBA official after being introduced by Minnesota Timberwolves – NBA News
Brandon Roy made a triumphant return to the NBA when he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a two year deal worth $10.4 million.
The All-Star shooting guard retired from the NBA before the start of last season, citing problems with his knee as the reason for his early decision.
However, Roy now says that it was not a final decision, but more like a break from basketball.
“After a few months of sitting out, I decided, 'Hey, I don't want to stop playing basketball.' I wanted to continue going forward. It was never a situation where I said, 'I'm done forever.' It's just more of a pause,” said Roy
during a news conference at the Target Center.
Roy was drafted by the Wolves in the 2006 NBA Draft, but was soon traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He played five seasons for the Blazers, but decided to retire after his knees started giving up on him.
Roy was lacking cartilage in his knees after six operations, but now says that it was the Blazers team doctor that advised him to retire. The Blazers amnestied Roy before the start of the 2011-2012 season, writing off his $63 million
from the books.
At 28, Roy now makes a return to the Wolves roster, which is looking good for next season with Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio, Alexey Shved and Andrei Kirilenko forming the core of the team.
Roy acknowledges that he is coming back into the league with the aim of regaining his starting status and the Wolves commitment to having him as a key player in the team was one of the reasons he decided to sign with them.
"It's not a situation where I wanted to be a 10th man. I want to be able to go out and work and be a big part of a team taking that next step, and I thought the pieces were right here,” said Roy.
Roy underwent the platelet rich plasma therapy that Kobe Bryant got done before the beginning of last season. He says that he is able to work much harder since the surgery, and his knees are so far coping well.
The two guard averages 19 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists over the five years he has spent in the NBA. His numbers dropped to 12.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in his last season with the Blazers, but that was mainly due to reduced
minutes.
He has made two All Star appearances and was named the Rookie of the Year in 2007. Having accomplished so much in so little time, Roy now looks to a new beginning for his NBA career, one that almost did not happen. After going
through uncertainty about his future, Roy is now dreaming of becoming the top tier guard that he once was and helping the new look Wolves become a serious contender in the Western Conference.
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