First, though, you must know about Roy and the tunnel.
Because there are few private moments in Roy's life anymore. He is a father of two young children. He is the best player on one of the league's best young teams. And while he says he plays because he loves basketball, there are people pulling at him constantly -- for autographs, for quotes, for appearances -- which is why he secretly enjoyed when Greg Oden arrived a year ago, pulling some of the media temporarily to the other side of the locker room.
We're back to Roy now, most nights.
Roy's locker is on the corner in the Blazers locker room, nearest the showers. It's prized real estate that belonged to Zach Randolph before him, and Rasheed Wallace before that. And the locker beside his is empty, thank goodness, because the dozen or so media members crowded around his space after games spill into it.
Ruben Boumtje Boumtje had that empty locker a few years ago, and he became an expert in quietly dressing and gathering his things while television cameramen mostly stood on his shoe tops.
So yeah. Roy retreats to the tunnel before games. He bows his head. He listens to the anthem. And Roy said: "I say a little prayer and have a little time to myself." And maybe that doesn't strike you as a team leader thinking team, and being part of a team, but his teammates don't mind.
He's always there for his team when the lights go up, isn't he?
