Blazers' Brandon Roy elevates game

PORTLAND — Brandon Roy has a note posted in his locker that reads, in red letters, "STAY HUMBLE."

After scoring 52 points in a home victory over the Phoenix Suns, a reporter suggested the Trail Blazers shooting guard might have a hard time remembering the message.

"Nah," Roy said. "That's easy, man."

Unfazed by the shouts of "M-V-P!" that have enveloped the Rose Garden, the former Washington Huskies standout is all about the team.

"I'm just trying to do the best we can to win these games. I don't even get into the whole MVP thing," said the graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle. "I just try to go out here and perform as best I can to help this team win. I think that's why these guys believe in me, because they know my No. 1 goal is to win."

Portland's 124-119 victory Thursday night snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Suns, including two losses earlier this season. Phoenix had won five straight at the Rose Garden.

Roy's 52 points were a career high. It was the second-most points ever scored by a Blazer — Damon Stoudamire scored 54 at New Orleans on Jan. 14, 2005. No one has ever scored as many points in Portland, and it was the most points ever scored by a Blazer in a victory.

Roy made 14 of 27 shots from the field, including five of seven three-point attempts, and made a franchise-record 19 of 21 free throws. He also had six assists and five rebounds.

"At one point, someone told me I had 40, and there were 10 minutes left," Roy said. "I thought, whew, 40. That's good enough for me."

Fourteen of his points came in the fourth quarter, and a three-pointer with 1:01 left broke a 119-all tie.

In his third NBA season Roy has become the unquestioned leader of the Blazers, averaging 20.4 points and 5.2 assists.

He has been the steadying force as Portland has had to adjust to the rookie growing pains of 7-foot center Greg Oden, a foot injury that has kept former Seattle Prep forward Martell Webster out for all but one brief appearance this season, and the inconsistent play of forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

Roy was the sixth overall pick in 2006 by the Minnesota Timberwolves and acquired by Portland in a draft-day trade. He made an impact from the start, winning the league's Rookie of the Year honors.

In his second season, he made the All-Star team.

With Thursday night's victory, Portland is 17-10 and second to Denver in the Western Conference's Northwest Division.

"When we drafted him we knew he had this potential, but what he has done is to find ways to improve his game and take it to another level," coach Nate McMillan said. "His body language, control and demeanor says a lot about his confidence when he has the ball."