Make it two straight for Brandon Roy.
The Portland Trail Blazers guard was selected Thursday to the 2009-10 All-NBA third team, by a panel of 122 sportswriters and broadcasters.
This season’s honor marks the second consecutive year Roy has received an All-NBA distinction — he earned second-team status last season.
Roy led the Blazers in average points (21.5) in 2009-10, while ranking second in minutes (37.2) and assists (4.7). He added 4.4 rebounds and 47.3 percent shooting from the field in 65 games (all starts).
Roy, 25, was one of four NBA players to average at least 21.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season, joining the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Miami’s Dwyane Wade.
Roy, a fourth-year guard who starred during college at Washington, scored 23 points or more during 15 straight games from Dec. 1-Jan. 2, the longest stretch in franchise history.
In addition, Roy guided the Blazers to a second consecutive 50-win season, and the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. He did so despite missing 17 regular-season and three playoff contests due to injuries, while Portland missed 311 games due to injury.
“We’re honored that the sportswriters and broadcasters who cover our league have again recognized Brandon as one of the best players in the game,” Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said. “Our success this season was largely a result of Brandon’s leadership and determination.”
Roy’s importance to Portland was clearly evident during a recent first-round playoff defeat to Phoenix.
After missing Games 1-3 due to knee surgery, Roy dramatically returned before the start of Game 4, propelling the Blazers to a 96-87 victory April 24 at the Rose Garden.
Portland eventually lost the series, 4-2, to the Suns.
“For him to step back on the court only eight days after knee surgery is a true reflection of just the kind of player and person he is, and how badly he wants to win,” Pritchard said.
Roy is just the third Blazer in franchise history to earn multiple All-NBA team honors, joining Clyde Drexler (four) and Bill Walton (two). Furthermore, Roy is the only Blazer named to the All-Rookie team and All-NBA team during his career.
James, Bryant and Wade topped the first team, joined by Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant and Orlando center Dwight Howard.
Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire, Suns guard Steve Nash and Utah guard Deron Williams received second-team honors.
Joining Roy on the third team are San Antonio forward Tim Duncan, Lakers forward Pau Gasol, Milwaukee center Andrew Bogut and Atlanta guard Joe Johnson.
Notes
• The Blazers will begin working out 2010 NBA Draft prospects today. Portland holds the Nos. 22 and 44 picks in the draft, which will be held June 24 in New York City.
• Blazers center Marcus Camby received All-NBA votes, earning three points
