#29 - Brandon Roy
Among the biggest of surprises in 07-08, a season that had a gluttonous share of them, were the Portland Trailblazers; a team that hasn’t had it together in years. Ever since their historical meltdown against the Lakers back in 2000, they had played well below their potential and boosted the Oregan crime rate substantially. Things didn’t look so bleak when the Blazers lucked out in the Greg Oden sweepstakes, but when their #1 pick fell out before the season began, there seemed to be little hope.
Enter second-year guard Brandon Roy; fresh off dominating the rookie class of ’06 and primed to take it up another level. His rare combination of killer scoring and playmaking stand out during a 13-game win streak that propels the Blazers into the thick of the most heated playoff race ever. There was All-Star respect. There was premature MVP consideration. There was so much hype around this young squad and their fearless leader that Oden became second hand news. Roy kept the Blazers in the postseason hunt for months, and though they eventually fell short, their season and his play were remarkable. He scored at will, ran most of Portland’s offense, and was called on to guard the opponent’s best wing and assume a leadership role on the league’s youngest team. All in his sophomore campaign. His game’s already far too nice and he’s all of 24; his skills along with those of the kids around him, are sure to mature and eventually lift Portland back among the league’s elite teams.
Among the biggest of surprises in 07-08, a season that had a gluttonous share of them, were the Portland Trailblazers; a team that hasn’t had it together in years. Ever since their historical meltdown against the Lakers back in 2000, they had played well below their potential and boosted the Oregan crime rate substantially. Things didn’t look so bleak when the Blazers lucked out in the Greg Oden sweepstakes, but when their #1 pick fell out before the season began, there seemed to be little hope.
Enter second-year guard Brandon Roy; fresh off dominating the rookie class of ’06 and primed to take it up another level. His rare combination of killer scoring and playmaking stand out during a 13-game win streak that propels the Blazers into the thick of the most heated playoff race ever. There was All-Star respect. There was premature MVP consideration. There was so much hype around this young squad and their fearless leader that Oden became second hand news. Roy kept the Blazers in the postseason hunt for months, and though they eventually fell short, their season and his play were remarkable. He scored at will, ran most of Portland’s offense, and was called on to guard the opponent’s best wing and assume a leadership role on the league’s youngest team. All in his sophomore campaign. His game’s already far too nice and he’s all of 24; his skills along with those of the kids around him, are sure to mature and eventually lift Portland back among the league’s elite teams.
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