Tualatin, Ore. — Nate McMillan addresses Brandon Roy’s changing role

By Matt Calkins

Columbian staff writer

TUALATIN, Ore. — One day before Trail Blazers fans get to see how their team responds to falling down two games to none in the opening-round playoff series vs. Dallas, they waited to hear how coach Nate McMillan would respond to comments from Brandon Roy.

McMillan played Roy for a season-low eight minutes Tuesday against the Mavericks, making him the last substitute off the bench and never leaving him on the court for more than three minutes, seven seconds.

Roy finished with no points, rebounds or assists, and was 0 for 1 from the field and 0 for 2 from the free-throw line. The playing time was a stark contrast to the 27 minutes McMillan afforded Roy in Game 1 of the series, an amount that triggered wide criticism as Roy scored two points on 1-of-7 shooting.

But Roy also is the former face of the franchise — a three-time All Star who’s just 26 years old and had visions of piling on more indelible moments to his illustrious career.

So it’s not surprising to hear that he was fighting back tears Tuesday given his extremely limited role.

“There was a point in the first half, and I was thinking ‘You better not cry,’ ” Roy told the Oregonian. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little hurt, or disappointed, but the biggest thing is to keep moving, to try and keep my spirits up. But it’s tough, man. I just . . . I just always thought I would be treated better.”

The Blazers watched film Wednesday, but players were not made available to the media afterward. McMillan did, however, answer questions — addressing Roy’s comments first and foremost.

He’s sympathetic to the guard’s plight.

“As I said to Brandon, there is nobody in this state, including Brandon, that wants Brandon on the floor as much as I do,” McMillan said. “There is no disrespect there, there is total respect there. It’s a challenge every time I call Brandon’s name off the bench. That’s an All-Star . . . calling Brandon Roy’s name as a backup is different.”

McMillan said that Roy’s playing time in Game 1 stemmed from matchups he thought suited Brandon’s game. McMillan attributed the sharp decline in minutes Tuesday to his wanting to get back to the first unit.

Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports reported that Roy noted to Marcus Camby during the game that reserve point guard Patty Mills had entered the contest before him.

McMillan didn’t offer a ballpark estimate as to how much time Roy will see on the floor tonight in Game 3.

“He’s going to play his role, which is coming off the bench,” McMillan said. “There wasn’t any minutes promised or anything like that. All of our guys want to play minutes.”

Is it a distraction?

“We’re moving on to the game,” McMillan said.

Matt Calkins can be contacted at 360-735-4528 or matt.calkins@columbian.com

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