Interview: Roy, Pritchard on Roy's recovery
Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy spoke with the media Tuesday following a morning practice at the team’s workout facility in Tualatin, Ore.
In addition, Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard addressed the decision to utilize a platelet-rich plasma infusion in the attempt to help heal Roy’s strained right hamstring.
Pritchard on PRP:
What’s amazing about it is … we like to push the envelope a little bit. We want to know what the new technologies are. (Blazers athletic trainer) Jay (Jensen) does an amazing job of being out there. Football teams have done it; basketball teams haven’t done it as much. But our relationship with (the) Seattle (Seahawks) made it a better fit for that.
On the early results:
Yeah, so far. You’ll have to ask him. But, yeah, you know? I think it’s something that we’re going to look harder into it. We wouldn’t have done it unless we felt great about it. Obviously, he’s pretty important to the organization. (Laughs) So, we’ll continue to push the envelope that way.
Roy on his status:
… maybe Friday they’ll let me go into some on-the-court stuff; try and simulate some movements. But I don’t think they’re going to let me do that until Friday.
On the decision to use PRP:
It came up, I think, about two weeks ago; the second time it actually flared up on me. We were actually trying to think of what’s the quickest way we can try and get back on the court. So, our trainer … called a number of doctors from a number of different places. And everybody kind of said it’s a good thing, they use it on a lot of guys. Not too many basketball players have their hamstring; it’s mostly done with football players and track and field. They just got a lot of information on it. And I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll be willing to try it.’ It still takes time, and they say mostly you’ve got a week and a half to two weeks to really get the best results. So, my thing is just try and be patient. And I just want to be out there with the guys, so I’m just trying to do whatever I can to get back out there as quick as possible.
On whether he talked with any athletes who had received PRP:
No, I just talked to the doctors. And I was fortunate to be able to talk to Dr. Dresner up in Seattle, who was my doctor in college. That made it even better, because I really trusted him there. It was cool to be able to talk to him on the phone for a while about it. And then when we flew back up there, they sat down with me for a long time before and just went over a number of different things. I didn’t really feel like I needed to talk to any players yet, because it was good to get his advice. I don’t really talk to players unless I see them in person.
On comparing the soreness pre- and post-PRP:
It feels like it’s getting better, but I can’t tell if it’s the rest or the shot more than anything. I think the rest is going to be the No. 1 key right now. It’s hard to say. I wouldn’t say it feels much better than it did last year after four or five days. I think I’ve just got to continue to be patient with it. If I feel it when I’m working out, I’ve got to be honest, instead of running back out there to play and I’m not fully ready yet.
On whether that is hard for him:
Yeah, it is. Because I feel good waking up in the morning, I want to try to play. But they don’t want to keep — play one game, miss the next five. So, we’ve got to make sure it’s right, that way I can come back and finish things.
On making the All-Star team as a reserve and whether he would play:
Nah, because I honestly haven’t even thought about the All-Star game. My biggest thing is trying to look at the calendar and see which game I can come back for as soon as possible. All-Star, we’ll find out about that. My biggest thing: I want to help this team. We’re in a tight race and we play a lot of divisional or conference teams, and that’s where my focus is. But we’ll figure out the All-Star thing when it’s that time. But I would hope to be back soon.
On traveling with the team for its upcoming road trip:
Nah, we don’t know yet. I’ve been going back and forth with Jay, and he thinks it’s best if maybe I don’t. But — I said Friday; I think Thursday maybe they’ll let me do some basketball court stuff to see if I’ll be able to go on the trip.
On how hard the decision can be to select All-Star reserves:
Yeah, that’s why no matter which way it goes, I always say I respect it, no matter what happens. Because they’re in a tough position. It’s not fair for me to say if I get left out, one of those guys should be left out. So I respect the decisions no matter what, because it is such a talented conference. You look at the guards, well, the bigs are good, too. It’s really hard to pick. But I respect the coaches no matter what, because they’re put in a tough situation and it’s so loaded. So, whatever they go with, it’s, hey, great — I’m happy to be a part of it. But if not, then I’m sure the players they put in there (are) also really good players.
On whether the players should have a vote:
Nah, I’m cool. (Laughs) I’d rather leave it to the coaches.
On being selected two consecutive times to the All-Star team, and what it would mean to make another:
It always means a lot, because more than anything, it will say how far this team has come. Even with all the injuries, to even be in position to have a player be selected to the All-Star game, it’s always great. So, again, I’ll go out there and I’ll do my part. But the only reason that I’m selected is because of where this team is at. And more than ever, the team has done an unbelievable job this year, especially with all the key losses and myself missing some games. So, the only reason we’re in this position is because of our team effort. So, to be a part of it, I’ll be like, ‘Hey, I’m representing the Blazers and what we’ve done this year.’
On checking with the team about his hamstring:
… I haven’t spoke to coach (Nate McMillan) about it. I think he was just taking it slow. I think even he feels he doesn’t want to ask me everyday, ‘How’s it feel today? How’s it feel tomorrow?’ So, I think we’re going to wait until after the game and see where I’m at on Thursday. If I feel good enough, who knows? Maybe I don’t play Friday and try to get ready for Saturday. But we haven’t even talked about it. I’m sure we’ll talk to coach. I think he’s just trying to back off right now and let me try to get some time to heal this thing better.
On McMillan saying he is at least a week away from playing:
It’s hard to say. I think that’s — I wouldn’t say far, but that’s trying to be conservative. And I think this time, even when I say I’m ready to play, coach may say ‘Nah.’ (Laughs) I think that’s him — maybe he’s saying a week away, so he may not even talk to me about going on the trip. But I’m sure I’ll bring it up to him. It’s going to be hard to convince him this time. I feel like I was ready to go out there last time, and he held me off against the (Washington) Wizards. And next time, he was like ‘All right.’ So, next time, I think he’s going to make sure I’m ready to play, and not just for one game, but to move on. I haven’t even spoke to him about it. I’ve just been doing my treatment and working with our trainers and watching practice.
On watching close defeats from the bench or on TV:
Yeah, it’s really tough. After seeing both of them — the game yesterday was even tougher, because I was there. I almost was nervous on the bench. I’m like, ‘Man. When I’m playing, I’m just comfortable.’ But on the bench, I can’t do anything about it. I was, like, nervous and waiting to see what was going to happen. But it’s hard. Especially going down the stretch. I don’t feel like I’m going to make every shot, but I feel like that’s my role to be aggressive and make those plays. It’s just hard to watch. When we win, it’s great. But when we lose, I always feel like there’s something I could’ve done. So, it’s hard. Even that Boston game — I’m sitting at home, I’m like, ‘Man, it’s a winnable game.’ (Laughs) It’s just tough. And I always think — I don’t think I’m … I just think I can help us get over the hump in those games. But I was telling the guys last night — even with Jerryd (Bayless), I said, ‘I missed shots down the stretch. I feel like I’ve blown games. The important thing is to come back the next time and try to win it.’ So hopefully, I think it was good that he was able to take that shot. And hopefully the next time he will make it.
