Robson: Expectations Weighed On Brandon Roy In Portland

Britt Robson of SI.com has a behind the scenes look at former Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy's comeback from unofficial retirement with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Last week, I asked Roy if he could handle physical setbacks that may limit his ability to the level of his play in his final year in Portland and still remain a team player.

"I don't think it will come to that, but if it does, yes, I can live with that," he said. "I think that was harder to do in Portland. I got built up so high, that anything less than what I was doing, it felt like I was being put out on a string. If we'd lose and I didn't do something, then it was because of Brandon."

He mentioned his last great game, when he exploded for 18 points in the fourth quarter to beat Dallas in the 2011 playoffs.

"We were already down 20 when they put me back in the game," he said. "I missed my first shot as people were yelling, 'Get Roy out!' I took it to heart from the fans. I just think they could never see me as anything other than that player I was."

Roy had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist on 5-for-9 shooting in 24 minutes in Minnesota's preseason opener against the Indiana Pacers. Box score here.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter