via blazers.topbuzz.com

Even though I would consider the Trailblazers a conference rival to the Warriors since the Blazers were always competing for a playoff spot, I do got to give a shout out to their once best player on their roster, Brandon Roy. I didn't get to watch many regular season games of the Blazers, only the games they put on national TV or the playoffs. But I remember B Roy ballin it up every time prior to his critical injury.

I'll always remember his battles with Monta Ellis, especially watching Roy trying to post Monta and at times, a stubborn Monta trying to post Roy a couple years ago. It seems Monta Ellis always went extra hard against Roy (other than maybe Danny Granger), probably because he recognized Roy's skills and ranking as one of the top shooting guards in the league.

I feel for the guy because I thought he would somehow manage to make a comeback. When you got guys like Grant Hill who after missing almost some 4 straight years and now seeming like Mr. Iron man, you'd figure Roy would make it. Amare Stoudemire had a similar injury as did Kenyon Martin I believe. Heck, even Dejuan Blair is playing without both ACLs so I always believed B Roy would come back at least in a lesser role (a la T-Mac) for a longer period of time.

But unfortunately it wasn't to be. This guy was different, it isn't like Joel Przybilla retiring, B Roy could have been one of the best shooting guards ever to play and arguably (when he was healthy) the 2nd best shooting guard behind Dwyane Wade and slightly ahead of an aging Kobe Bryant.

With Career yearly high stats:

-------------Career--- Season Highs

Min----------35.6------ 37.7

PTS---------19.0------ 22.6

FG%--------.460------.480

3pt FG%---.352------.377

FT%---------.801------.848

REB----------4.3--------4.7

AST-----------4.7--------5.8

BLK----------0.2---------0.3

STL-----------1.0--------1.2

TO------------1.8--------2.0

His stats was trending upwards as his Trailblazer teams were getting better. His sudden and unexpected retirement is sad for the league, his fans and everybody who enjoys watching good basketball talent and a star about to solidify himself in NBA history.

"Brandon Roy is the best player I've played against." - Ron Artest

"Roy 365 days, seven days a week. Roy has no weakness in his game," - Kobe Byrant

"Sad to hear Brandon Roy's retiring. Great contribution in a career too short. Wish him well in his next chapter" - Steve Nash

What's your favorite Brandon Roy memory?" --> " When he came up with the nickname 'Patty Cakes'" - Patrick Mills

" Man hate to see a player like Brandon Roy retiring. Was such a great player wish him nothing but the best." - Jason Richardson

" Please say it ain't so. Brandon Roy retiring. Losing one of the best 2 guards in the league before he's ready to go. So unfortunate man! SMH" - LeBron James

via i.cdn.turner.com