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It’s not Brandon Roy’s fault that the Portland Trail Blazers have dropped the first two games of their Western Conference playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks. It’s not Brandon Roy’s fault that his knees have tragically disintegrated right before our very eyes. It’s also not Brandon Roy’s fault that he is no longer the best player on a roster that he used to lead.

But do you know what it is his fault? Comments like this:

“I thought I’d get more of a chance coming back, but at the same time I’m never going to complain,” Roy said. “I’m going to try to work and just try to play.

“I’m not going to lie: It’s hard. My pride is a little scarred. It’s difficult sitting on the bench.”

Don’t say you aren’t going to complain and then do just that one sentence later. Roy’s teary-eyed performance after last night’s game (the less spoken about his performance during the game the better) is quickly becoming a distraction, which is exactly what Portland doesn’t need right now (Unless you can use this distraction to literally block Jason Kidd’s wide open shot—is that possible?).

For a player who filled countless sports columns with tales about a “Stay Humble” note pinned to his locker, Roy’s passive aggressive complaints about playing time seem anything but humble. Especially when everyone (other than Roy) can see that his presence on the court is not helping the Blazers. Pouting about court time in the NBA is nothing new, I just thought Roy was better than that. Guess not.

Ezra Ace Caraeff is the former Music Editor for the Mercury, and spent nearly a third of his life working at the paper. More importantly, he is the owner of Olive, the Mercury’s unofficial office dog....

9 replies on “Blame it on Brandon Roy”

  2. I find all this Roy Hate to be ridiculous. Actions speak louder than words and Roy’s actions have been, on the whole, incredibly humble. I think we can cut the guy some slack in this situation since he’s dealing with a change to something that has been central to his identity for most of his life and is at least being honest about his feelings regarding that change in status. He is human after all.

  3. I hardly find his complaint “passive-aggressive”.
    You are making way too much of this. WAAAYYY too much.
    I just wish he’d start nailing some shots. And I still hope to see a better Rudy than last years play-offs.

  4. Wow! Ezra, way to stab B-Roy in the back like that. You’re sounding more like John Canzano everyday. (Although I do think you’d look better with a shaved head.)

  5. All this said, what it comes down to is that Roy shouldn’t be getting the minutes in the playoffs that he is. He isn’t contributing to the scoreboard. He isn’t making foul shots. He isn’t drawing doubles to free up LA or GW. He is basically a wet blanket out there who is taking PT away from Batum and Rudy, who, if given a little more, might be able to find their shots, and contribute a little more offensively. It is a fantasy, but I’m really wishing that Nate will leave BRoy on the bench in game three and bring in Patty instead. Is it just me, or were there just too many combinations of bench substitutions last night? I think we could benefit from a more consistent rotation. One that doesn’t include a pride bruised Brandon. Miss you healthy knees BRoy. Miss you so much.

  6. Ezra, I didn’t take you for a Roy hater. His comment was pretty introspective for a pro baller, and I appreciate the honesty. Fact is that anyone that has played any organized sport can relate to what he’s saying – no one wants to have that feeling that you’re just gathering splinters in your ass – you’d rather be out there nailing the game winner.

    I don’t feel sorry for Roy – he’s made a lot of money and has had a good run, and we should thank him for restoring the franchise. But I also don’t need to join in riding his ass to the woodshed for sharing his frustration and disappointment in his lack of contribution to the team.

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