Roy's hamstring still an issue; McMillan tired of the talk
TUALATIN, Ore. — A little more than twelve hours after wondering whether he would be healthy enough to play again this season, Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy said he will attempt to take the court Friday against Boston.
Roy ran through shooting drills Wednesday at the Blazers’ practice facility. He appeared upbeat during practice, and he moved through the session with a smoothness that was not evident during the uneven two quarters he played Tuesday during a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Following practice, though, Roy said the status of his strained right hamstring has not changed. He still feels pain and tightness, but he is going to attempt to work through it.
“I’m going to try to prepare as if I’m going out there Friday,” Roy said.
Prior to starting against the Clippers, Roy had missed 12 consecutive games and 13 of Portland’s last 14 contests.
But Roy’s last-minute activation was not a success. The three-time All-Star was held to just four points on 2-of-7 shooting during 15 minutes of action.
After feeling soreness in his hamstring during the first quarter, Roy said the pain severely increased during the second period. He then told Blazers coach Nate McMillan he could not play due to the pain. Roy was soon removed from the game, and he watched the final two quarters from the bench.
Asked about postgame comments he made Tuesday night that his season could be in jeopardy, Roy said he stood by them, adding that he was simply being honest.
“That was just me answering a question about more how I was feeling and things that crossed my mind,” Roy said. “But that wasn’t me saying, ‘No, I’m not going to play no more the rest of the season.’ They were just thoughts. And, again, I’ve been frustrated with this, and things like that cross your mind. I’m human, too.”
Uncertainty surrounding Roy’s hamstring has dragged on so long that he had trouble Tuesday night remembering when he first strained the muscle — a Jan. 2 home victory over Golden State. Roy then aggravated the tear Jan. 13 against Milwaukee.
Since then, Portland’s star guard has played just 33 minutes in the last 16 games. And when Roy has taken the court, it has not gone well. He has been pulled from the two games — Jan. 20 versus Philadelphia; Tuesday against Los Angeles — he has played. And Roy was left after each contest to wonder in frustration when his injured body would return to 100 percent.
But while Roy was willing to address questions about his hamstring injury Wednesday, McMillan was reluctant.
Portland’s coach said he believes Roy is tired of talking about the issue. And McMillan became testy and guarded when asked about Roy’s status.
“I’m not going to keep getting into that everyday,” McMillan said. “We know that he has to rest it and take care of it. And I think he’s getting sick of talking about it; everyday answering questions about it.”
McMillan then said the team will rely on Roy to make a decision about when he is healthy enough to play.
“He’ll play this year,” McMillan said.
Notes
Blazers center Marcus Camby did not attend practice. He was given the day off to return to Los Angeles and collect his belongings. “He does need clothes,” McMillan said. Camby will likely start against the Celtics, but McMillan stated that the team must first see how he fits into the lineup. … McMillan said forward Nicolas Batum is not dealing with any shoulder pain that will “set him back.” Batum attempted to play without a protective sleeve against the Clippers, but put it back on because he did not feel comfortable.
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