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Roy talks about making comeback

By Matt Calkins
Published: February 29, 2012, 12:00am

For those wondering what has been going through Brandon Roy’s head since announcing his retirement in early December, one of his thoughts was recently revealed: A comeback.

While he did not say definitively that he would return to the court, in an interview with David Pick of USbasket.com, the three-time All-Star disclosed he was not ruling it out.

“I’ve been doing things like treatment. I’m trying to leave it open to the fact that I can be able to come back to basketball,” Roy said. “I’m not saying it’s something I will do, but there’s some treatment options out there that I’ve been looking really far into. If those things can work, don’t be surprised if you see me playing basketball again.”

Roy announced his retirement on Dec. 9, the first day of NBA training camp. The 27-year-old missed 33 games last season due to degenerative knee problems, and logged three games in which he failed to score a field goal.

Juxtaposed against the aforementioned struggles was Game 4 against Dallas in the first round of the playoffs, when Roy scored 18 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Blazers to one of the most dramatic wins in franchise history.

So with those memories, mixed with the fact that he has been keeping close tabs on his friends in the league, the thought of a return has crept into Roy’s mind.

“I watch Jamal (Crawford), I follow all his games. … It’s just something, that drive to want to get out there is pushing me to want to do it, “Roy told Pick. “Don’t be surprised if you see Brandon Roy make his way back to the court.”

Of course, if Roy did return, it could not be with the Blazers. At least not for a few years.

Portland waived Roy via the Amnesty Clause in December in order to attain the mid-level exception that allowed the acquisition of Crawford.

Under the rules of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Roy could not come back to the Blazers until after the 2014-2015 season when his contract would have expired.

Crawford, a Seattle native who is close friends with Roy, offered his thoughts on Twitter.

“Let me put out a P.S.A. (public service announcement) about Brandon so I can answer it just once..it’s something he’s talked about (playing again) but he hasn’t told me that for sure at all,” Crawford said. “I read it like everyone else … when we talk it’s about life not just ball, so I wasn’t doing an interview when I last saw him. lol … he misses hoop that’s for sure.”

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

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