Bon Voyage, Brandon Roy: Why the Portland Trailblazers Must Bid Farewell

Brandon Roy is an excellent example of what an NBA player is supposed to be. 

Hardworking and diligent, Roy has overcome tremendous obstacles to realize his dream to play in the NBA.  He conquered a learning disability to earn a four-year degree at the University of Washington and was selected sixth overall in the 2006 NBA Draft. 

He was the Rookie of the Year in 2007, finishing his inaugural season at an average of 16.8 points and four assists per game.  This was all done while demonstrating the poise and leadership that made him a Naismith Award finalist in his senior season in Seattle. 

He has been a major factor in the resurgence of the Portland Trailblazers, who were marred by mediocre play and questionable character in the early 2000s.  In his five professional seasons, Roy has had a major hand in guiding the Blazers to the playoffs on three occasions.  He is a three-time All-Star and has been anointed as the face of the Portland Trailblazers.

However, as painful as it may be to Blazer faithful, the time has come to part ways with Brandon Roy.

It is the harsh reality of sports, but people get injured.  Roy battled knee injuries in college.  During his junior season, he had a procedure that removed much of the cartilage in his right knee.  The knee caused teams to be leery of drafting him in 2006, allowing him to slip down to the welcoming Trailblazers. 

Reality hit early, as Roy was sidelined for 25 games due to the pain in his right knee.  He had a relatively injury-free 2007-2008 season, starting in 74 games and earning his first All-Star nod.  He had a minor procedure during the 2008 preseason, but managed to start in 78 games while averaging a team-high 21.9 points per game and seeing his first professional playoff action.

The summer of 2009 proved to be a turning point in Roy's career.  After a stellar 2009 campaign, the Blazers awarded him with a five-year, $82 million extension.   Later reports indicate the Trailblazers brass was aware of Brandon's knee condition but decided to invest in the 6'6" guard anyway, feeling he had turned the corner healthwise.

During the 2009-10 season, Roy played 65 regular season games.  He had a another spectacular season, averaging 20.8 points and over four assists per game, but reinjured his right knee late in the season.  He had surgery and returned for the playoffs, but was a shell of himself. 

The injury woes carried into last season, where he was only able to manage 47 games and was regulated to under 28 minutes per game.  His averages plummeted to 12.2 points and 2.7 assists per game and fell even further in the playoffs.

Many fans want to keep Roy because of his outstanding service over his five seasons, but there is serious reason for concern.

First of all, you must understand the extent of Roy's injury.  Tom Ziller at AOL.com describes just how severe the injury is:

"

The specific problem is the lack of cartilage in Roy's knee, which causes bone-on-bone friction. That leads to swelling, and that makes the knee less mobile. The medication Roy has begun taking to decrease the swelling and allow more free movement in the joint causes liver problems. Quick reports the Blazers will continuously monitor Roy's liver to ensure permanent damage is not being made.

"

The condition is chronic and degenerative, meaning Roy plays in constant pain, and the injury will only continue to get worse.  In most cases, the pain is so great, the player has to resort to micro-fracture surgery, a four-letter word in basketball circles.

As a New York Knicks fan, the situation is eerily familiar. 

Allan Houston suffered a similar fate in the early 2000s.  He was a bona fide star, taking the mantle of "face of the franchise" from aging legend Patrick Ewing.  Mild mannered and endearing, Houston was all a team could ask for and was a part of one of the most memorable Knicks playoff runs in franchise history. 

The Knicks signed Houston to a max deal in 2001, but Houston injured his knee in 2003.  Sadly, he was forced into retirement in 2005 and was regularly vilified for the contract he signed, being blamed for New York's inability to acquire new talent.

Roy and Houston's knee issues are identical, but not uncommon.  In fact, many other All-Star level players have suffered from the same bone-on-bone condition.  The list includes Kenyon Martin, Anfernee Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, Jamal Mashburn, Jason Kidd, Chris Webber, Amare Stoudimire and Johnathon Bender, to name a few.  Of those players, only Amare was able to return to the level he held before his injury.

With the NBA labor negotiations leaning toward some kind of amnesty clause, allowing a team to buyout a player's contract and eliminate not only the luxury tax penalty but the salary cap implications as well, the Blazers have to make the move to buy out Brandon Roy. 

As it stands, eliminating Roy's cap number will put the Blazers under the cap threshold, allowing them to add talent this season.  Looking forward, with Marcus Camby, Greg Oden and Raymond Felton coming off the books after this season, the Blazers will have ample room to sign major talent in 2012.

This is not in indictment of Roy's talent or character.  Roy's is financially set. Hopefully, Roy will be able to reinvent himself into a productive player and have a long, fruitful career. 

Reality is tough, however, and tough choices must be made.  It would be irresponsible to put the team in handcuffs out of pure sympathy for Roy's predicament. Learn from the misfortunes of others.  Learn from Allan Houston.  Wish Brandon Roy luck and move forward.