Hood River News

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You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away and know when to run. -Kenny Rogers

Last week Brandon Roy, beloved former Trail Blazer, announced that he was having a seventh knee surgery.

Roy's knees pushed him out of Portland two years ago when he announced his retirement after doctors advised him to walk away from basketball or possibly be unable to walk in his old age.

Roy, now 28, attempted a comeback with the Minnesota Timberwolves this year. He got into a few games, scored a few points, but was largely a shadow of his former self.

Now he's going in for yet another knee surgery.

Roy told the media he hopes to be out as little as three weeks.

Portland fan's have learned to take those sort of optimistic estimates with a grain of salt.

Blazer fans were told Greg Oden's knees were just being cleaned up. Then he would miss the start of a season. Then it would be by the all-star break. Then another knee surgery. Wait till next year. Rinse, wash, repeat.

If I was a betting man, I would not expect to see Roy on the floor in a professional basketball game again.

I don't blame Roy for attempting a comeback after a year off, but with this latest surgery its time for him to walk away.

I saw the same thing happen with Ken Griffey Jr a few years ago.

As his career was winding down he came back for one more year with the team that drafted him, the Seattle Mariners. He played decently well and the team over performed. At the end of the season he was carried off the field on his teammates' shoulders. A story book ending. Except he decided to come back for one more year.

In his second season back in a Mariner's uniform, Griffey was terrible and failed to hit a single home run before retiring with a statement released through the team in June of 2009.

Roy may be able to come back from his latest knee injury? But does he really want to?

In Roy's case, it sounds like he's not really sure. In an interview with Jason Quick, it sounds like he has reached a point where he is satisfied with what he accomplished by attempting a comeback.

If he has reached the stage of accepting his career is probably over, good on him.

While it can be heard to see the competitive fire snuffed under age and injuries, when you are given the option of a graceful exit, it's often best to take it.