Roy’s rested, ready to have a big year

Blazers’ star wants redemption for first-round playoff loss

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Sep 3, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

ROY

The start of training camp for the Trail Blazers is – gulp – Sept. 29, only a few weeks away.

One sort of significant member of the team says he is rested and ready.

“Can’t wait to get going,” Brandon Roy says.

You might remember Roy from his first three seasons in Portland. NBA Rookie of the Year in 2006-07. NBA All-Star the past two seasons. Recently signed a maximum contract that calls for him to make something in the neighborhood of – double gulp – $77 million to $83 million for five seasons.

Now a full-time Portland resident, Roy recently played in some four-on-four pickup games at the Blazers’ training facility with, among others, Martell Webster, Greg Oden, Steve Blake, Jerryd Bayless and Ime Udoka.

Roy passed on a chance to work out with the U.S. national team at Las Vegas in July to rest his body. Nothing against his country – Roy’s priority is elsewhere.

“This summer was an important one for me to take some time to get healthy,” he says. “As much as I would love to play for the USA, I want to make sure I’m healthy to start the season for the Trail Blazers, for the fans, for management and for my teammates. I owe it to them, that I’m the best I can be.

“Maybe in the future, it’ll work out so I can play for the national team or the Olympic team, but I haven’t given them an answer, and I don’t want them to hold that spot for me. My first obligation is to the Blazers.”

A year ago at this time, Roy was coming off knee surgery. While he had a splendid 2008-09 campaign, averaging 22.6 points, 5.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds, he never felt 100 percent physically.

Now, he says he does.

“My body feels good,” he says. “It’s the best it’s felt coming into a (NBA) season. I’m really excited.”

Roy did lots of biking and swimming this summer, little running and played zero basketball, all intended to take away from the pounding on his joints.

“Once the season starts, the adrenaline kicks in and I don’t think about the body anymore,” says Roy, who turned 25 in July. “Then it’s, ‘Give me some ice, and when’s the next game?’ ”

Parents’ new home

It’s been a summer of transition for Roy, his fiancée Tiana Bardwell and their two young children, Brandon Jr. and Mariah. Brandon and Tiana decided to make their full-time home in Portland and, by mid-August, had made the move from their home in Seattle to a place in Tualatin near Interstate 205, a 10-minute drive from the practice facility.

“The biggest reason is, I like to be close to our trainers and doctors during the offseason, to continue to strengthen my body and make sure I can have a longer career,” he says. “The Trail Blazers have invested a lot in me, and I want to make the most of that investment.

“Plus, it’s more peaceful, more relaxing for me down here. Back home (in Seattle), I have so many friends and family, sometimes I’ll skip a day’s workout to hang out with them. It’s better for the family not be moving back and forth, but to have one base. I can be more disciplined in Portland and, at the same time, give Tiana and my kids the time they need for us to be together.”

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