Better D next step in Roy's growth

Brandon Roy didn't raise an eyebrow when Nate McMillan called during the summer and issued his challenge.

The Trail Blazers' All-Star guard and his coach had been talking regularly in the offseason, tossing back and forth ideas for what Roy should focus on to improve his game. His new maximum-level contract -- estimated at more than $80 million -- was in hand. He was the Blazers' unquestioned leader and their offensive centerpiece.

What should be the next step? The pair bantered about the topic until McMillan called one day, assured he had the answer.

Make the All-Defensive team.

"You should make a goal to defend on a high level every night," Roy said McMillan told him. "Not only would it take us as a team to the next level, but it would take me to that next level as a player that I want to be at."

The thought clicked immediately in Roy's head. He knew McMillan was right, even though the Blazers' rapid rise to success had depended largely on Roy's offensive achievements.

Portland certainly wouldn't have won 54 games last season without Roy burying a 30-foot game-winner at the buzzer against Houston early in the year, or scoring 52 points in a tight victory over Phoenix. His short career is already stuffed with those moments, when the developing Blazers -- still one of the league's youngest teams -- needed to ride their leader's hot hand. It was necessary at the time, Roy said. But things are changing.

LaMarcus Aldridge is blossoming into an All-Star-caliber forward. Rudy Fernandez has added flair to the perimeter. Greg Oden brings a potentially imposing presence to the frontcourt, and a handful of athletic small forwards add options on the wing. There should be enough talent throughout the rotation to reduce the pressure on Roy to carry the Blazers every night. Enough, he believes, to afford him more focus on the defensive end.

"This is just the next natural progression in my game," Roy said. "A lot of people may say I got my contract because of scoring. But I think I got my contract because I am all-around, I'm versatile, and I'm always looking for ways to improve my game."

McMillan doesn't view his challenge to Roy as unique, though. In fact, Roy is following the same process that McMillan has seen numerous other young stars take. Like Roy, players commonly earn their spots in the NBA because of their offense. They establish themselves on that end and use it to secure their big payday. Then when they get truly serious about winning, McMillan said, they start focusing on defense.