Superstar Face

Superstar Face

The Evolution of a Superstar

Some stars are born into bodies so large, they have merely to stay on the court to dominate. Others are gifted with an ability to fly and hang in the air, seeming to defy gravity. But most superstars are forged through endless work, determination, and a little luck. Those stars build on a series of critical moments and repeatedly prove they are up to the most improbable tasks. That was Brandon Roy’s path. Thursday against Houston, he took another huge leap forward towards greatness and we were able to watch as a star began to evolve into a superstar.

Almost immediately as the season started, the two biggest questions facing the Portland Trailblazers were emphatically answered. One: Can Greg Oden stay healthy? No. Two: Can the rookies make an immediate impact? Yes. With the exception of Oden, Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum have played outstanding basketball.

The remaining question facing the Blazers may have been answered on Thursday night as the Blazers defeated the Houston Rockets. Can Brandon Roy emerge as an NBA superstar and put the team on his back in crucial situations? With just seconds left in the game, he hit two enormous go-ahead shots, one a 40-foot jumper as time expired to win the game. He did make the mistake of fouling Yao Ming on a game-tying jumper that allowed Yao to sink a potential game-winning free throw. But Roy did not hang his head. He did not lose confidence in himself. He did not give up and start making excuses. Instead, he stepped up and hit the biggest shot of the season for any team.

If Portland is going to compete with the Western Conference Elite, Roy will have to be a superstar and win head-to-head match-ups with other superstars. Roy is lucky to have a team of talented young players and a coach who is willing to work with his players to create a successful roster. But at the end of every crucial game, someone will have to step up and either carry his team to the victory, or fall short and let his team down.

To Compare Brandon Roy to another player who has a chance to emerge as one of the premier NBA players, look at the Philadelphia 76ers. Andre Iguodala was given the talent any star would need to dominate, but the Sixers have struggled so far. A mediocre start and Iguodala has yet to be a leading scorer in any game. Instead, he has shrunk as Thaddeus Young has stepped up and played well. Iguodala has not elevated his game to the next level. This is just one chance to advance, but Iguodala has missed it. There should be more chances, but that’s what separates the good players from the great ones. The great ones do not miss these opportunities.

Watching Brandon Roy develop into one of the next superstars is a privilege. Every big shot he hits, or game he takes over, is bringing him one step closer to greatness. The biggest task will come in the playoffs. That is the ultimate test for a professional athlete and ultimately how players are remembered. Luckily for Roy and Portland, he is very early in his career and should have plenty of chances to prove he is worthy of true, basketball greatness.

About the Author

Hindi can be found sharing his love for the NBA at rootzoo.com, where he originally published this article. He's recently found a love for writing sports articles and creates some of the best sports polls on the web. Look out for him working his way up the leader board on rootzoo's sports trivia.

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