Interview: Blazers’ Roy wonders about hamstring, season
Excerpts of Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy’s postgame interview with the media following the Blazers’ 109-87 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday evening at the Rose Garden.
On his strained right hamstring and how it felt:
As the second quarter went along, what I was worried about is once I sat out after that first blow, when I went back in the game, I just noticed it started to feel a little sore. I tried to make a couple plays those last 20 seconds, and it just — I don’t think I made it any worse, but it just started feeling painful again.
On playing with pain and gauging it:
Nah. I mean, the first quarter, that was — I can tolerate that. And then it got to the point to where I said, ‘Coach, I can’t play with this.’ And he said, ‘OK. We’re just going to sit you out.’ So, you know, it’s frustrating. I can’t really say much more than I that. I tried to see where it was at and — I can play about 20, 25, 30 minutes, and then it just starts to hurt. So, I’ve got to try to figure out a way to get over that.
On limiting his playing time in the future until he’s 100 percent:
No. We haven’t talked about that yet. But I don’t think I’ll play a limited amount of time, just because I feel like if I’m going to try to start playing and start to get a rhythm — it was just hard to get one, because even early I was more concerned about the move than I was shooting the basketball. If I’m thinking that much about playing, then it’s not really working out there. These guys have got to continue to just play.
On playing Friday versus Boston:
Right now, I’ll just say it’s doubtful. Because before tonight, I feel good, but I still can tell it’s there. I still haven’t woke up and said, ‘I feel like this is gone.’ So, you know, I think the next step is just to wait until I feel like this thing is behind me. But I can tell everyday it’s still here. So, I tried to play and it started to bother me.
…
On who made the decision about whether he would play:
It was both of ours. We talked before the game, and I told him that the biggest thing that I’m kind of cautious about is game speed. I can practice and do one-on-one drills as much as — I can do those all day. But it’s that game speed I was afraid of. And he told me the only way you’re going to know is if you go out there. It was kind of both of our decision. I was going back and forth: ‘Coach, I’m going to play.’ ‘Coach, I don’t think I should.’ So, at the last minute I decided to play.
On whether he regrets playing:
Nah, I don’t regret playing. Because that was the biggest thing I was thinking: I didn’t feel like this would be any different Friday. That’s the biggest reason why I feel like things are in jeopardy. Because I don’t feel like it’s going to be any different Sunday. Because then it’s like, ‘Well, now what are we talking about?’
On leaving warmups saying he was not going to play:
Yeah, I know. But then I thought about it, and I decided to instead of maybe Friday.
On ‘season-ending injury’ changing the conversation, and whether he’s brought the idea up with trainer Jay Jensen or coach Nate McMillan:
No. It’s just something that’s in my mind. Because I’ve been dealing with this since (early January), and it just doesn’t seem like it’s getting much better.
On trying different treatments, having them not work, and still feeling pain:
It’s almost like my body is telling me it doesn’t matter the amount of medicine. It’s just something that my body is saying, ‘You’re just going to have to take time and just rest it.’ Because medicine, treatment — I’ve done everything. I’ve met with different people; seen different doctors. I guess it’s just the body saying you’re going to have to just rest.
