Lakers’ LeBron James Compared to Blazers Legend Brandon Roy by Nate Robinson
Former Portland Trailblazer Brandon Roy had a promising career in the NBA ahead of him after a four college career at the University of Washington. During his rookie season, he would capture the Rookie of the Year Award in 2007. Over the next three years, he would be named an All-star reserved in the Western Conference. His play on the court would earn him a max deal with the Blazers in August of 2009, which would keep him in a Blazers’ uniform for the next five years.
On January 20, 2010, Brandon Roy would injure his hamstring and that would be the start of several leg injuries for the former three-time All-Star.
“He is one of the coldest players I’ve seen play the game of basketball because he was doing all the things that you saw him do without no knee caps. I mean he had no knees. If he had healthy knees, he would be talked about like a LeBron James. We would not just be talking about LeBron James they would be talking about Brandon Roy as well. We are the same age, he will be 35 and I think his birthday is on July 23rd. If I am not mistaken,” said Robinson.
LeBron James in his 16th season averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers in 55 games. James missed a significant amount of games due to a groaning injury that he suffered on Christmas day against the Golden State Warriors. James is looking to return with a vengeance in his 17th season after the additions of All-Stars Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.
As for Roy, he still continues to receive praise from his peers. For example, ” His explosive athleticism was downplayed because he did not depend on it,” according to former Sacramento Kings’ guard, Doug Christie.
“But the ability to knock down shots, the herky-jerkiness to create like IT [Isaiah Thomas], but as big as me and the ability for the moment. Also, a four-year guy that went to school all four years. So, when he got here he was ready to play.”
That is really high praise coming from someone of Christie’s caliber.
Another Seattle native and cross-town rival, who has respect for Brandon Roy is Suns’ guard Jamal Crawford. “I remember going over a scouting report when he was a rookie and my Knicks teammates were like: ‘what do mean no weaknesses.’”
“I was like: ‘nah he has no weaknesses.’ He can dribble, shoot, pass, defend, post and he does everything. He makes the right play all the time and I think he plays with his mind first when he was out there. That is why he was such a joy. Only true basketball purists appreciate how good he was.”
Future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, who was asked back in 2010, who was the toughest player to guard in the Western Conference. Bryant would respond by naming Roy.
“Roy 365 days, seven days a week. Roy has no weaknesses in his game.”
Seattle has a rich pipeline of NBA Players which includes Zach LaVine, DeJounte Murray, Jason Terry, Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Marvin Williams, Spencer Hawes, Tony Wroten Jr, Aaron Brooks, and Allonzo Trier.
Speaking of Avery Bradley, he dubbed Brandon Roy the best basketball player to ever come out of Seattle.
“He was the most NBA ready out of any of us that came out of the city, and it wasn’t for leg injuries, there is no telling what he could have accomplished,” said Bradley.
During his six-years in the NBA, Roy averaged 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per games.
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