NBA News: Brandon Roy to Retire From Portland...

In shocking NBA news, Brandon Roy will retire from the Portland Trailblazers without playing this shortened 2011 season. Roy's injury issues are forcing him to leave the game he loves, and a team that embraced him as an NBA All-star.

The NBA schedule for 2011-12 will start on Christmas day, but the upcoming season appears like it could be a rough one for Portland. The Trailblazers are more than likely to lose their biggest star in recent history with Brandon Roy retiring. According to ESPN's report, sources close to Roy's decision told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard of the plans for retirement. While the Blazers thought Roy would be ready for training camp, it now appears he will retire due to ongoing knee trouble.

By retiring from the Blazers, Roy will leave the team in good faith, and also will help them with salary-cap relief. Portland will have to wait for a year after Roy's injury or illness, which would probably be April 28th, 2012, since Roy was in the playoffs during 2011.

This is certainly shocking and unfortunate news for a franchise that was looking to win championships with its young talent. Their previous #1 draft pick Greg Oden hasn't panned out to be the big man they were hoping for, also due to continuous injury issues. Now with their All-Star point guard about to retire, the team will once again find itself in rebuilding mode, and as for the playoffs, most likely on the outside looking in. As for Brandon Roy, one can only imagine how tough a decision this must be to leave a game he loves.

Comments: 4

Ali Hussein Lopez Dec 9, 2011, 4:03pm UTC

Not a surprise, he's got bone on bone in his knees already. At least he's smart enough to quit now, while he can still walk without a limp. A job at ESPN will be his for the asking.