Dennis Rogers
drogers@vegassummerleague.com
April 25, 2007
The young guard has made a name for himself in the NBA this season, leading all rookies in scoring (16.7), assists (4.1) and minutes played (35.4).
"It would mean everything to me if I win that award," Roy said in reference to the Eddie Gottlieb Rookie of the Year trophy. "It's a great award and so many great players have won it in the past."
Despite a whirlwind season for the Seattle native, he is the clear front runner for the award. Roy went down shortly after the start of the season with a heel injury that forced him from action for 20 games. He stormed back from the injury, earned his way into the starting lineup, made the rookie team at the All-Star game and has never looked back.
Roy: "That time of the year when I went down with my injury was really tough on me, I had a lot of high goals coming into the year, and I had a really good pre-season. I was really worried about what the future might hold as far as the injury, but thankfully everything came out ok and I was able to pick back up."
The sixth pick of the 2006 NBA Draft was heavily involved in the community and doesn't shy away from being a leader, something the Blazers sorely needed.
"I've learned how much they want to believe in me as a basketball player, and as a role model in the community," said the 6-foot-6, 22-year-old Roy in a recent interview. "I've embraced it. These fans in Portland are great. I mean, if we play well and be positive forces in the community, they'll support us to the end."
The Blazers have had their fair share of bad news in the past few years (such as?), but this season has brought about change, thanks in large part to the youth movement by the front office.
The strong play of Roy and fellow rookies LaMarcus Aldridge and Sergio Rodriguez, coupled with the All-Star-worthy seasons of Zach Randolph has Blazer fans excited for the future. With another high pick in this season's stacked draft class, things are bright in Portland.
The rookie of the year award would be the first for a Blazer since Sidney Wicks in 1972 and the first major award since Zach Randolph's Most Improved Player Award in 2004.
The three-time Western Conference Rookie of the Month is mature beyond his years, in large part to his newborn child, Brandon Jr., and his four-year stint at the University of Washington. In a pre-season poll by NBA scouts and executives, Roy was the most NBA-ready player in the 2006 draft.
Roy looks to the future and hopes that improving his basketball skills during the off-season will help the Blazers into the playoffs.
In the meantime, the trophy should be arriving any day now.