Rodney Hood had it going on.
He felt at home with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was starting on a team he had helped reach the Western Conference finals the year before. His shots were falling at a career-high clip.
Then, last Dec. 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers, Hood’s season came to an end when he tore his Achilles tendon at Moda Center. Being away from the game and his teammates proved difficult. As it turned out, his injury would pale in comparison to the hardships that awaited.
In the past year, Hood’s nephew was shot to death, his AAU coach died and his father-in-law passed away. These tragic events gave Hood, 28, a new perspective on life and his career.
Now healthy, Hood expressed his excitement about returning to the court during a media session this week from the team’s practice facility in Tualatin. He is also excited about doing so with the team he has felt the most at home with since entering the league in 2013. A starting job no longer exists, for the time being. He doesn’t care. He’s healthy. Happy. His family is happy to be in Portland. He just wants to do whatever he can to help the team win, no matter the role.
“I think the biggest thing that I take away from this process that I’ll always have with me is to always appreciate everything that you’ve got,” he said.
Hood is playing 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 again. He plans to start playing 5-on-5 soon. Running up and down the court, fighting through screens, getting more contact, putting more pressure on his Achilles. These are the next steps.
“I’m excited about where I’m at,” he said. “There’s been a lot of work put in and I’m ready to get started.”
The team plan that has been put forth by Neil Olshey, president of basketball operations, and coach Terry Stotts has two new additions starting at the forward spots. Robert Covington, acquired in a trade with Houston, will play power forward, while Derrick Jones Jr., signed as a free agent away from Miami, will start at small forward. That leaves Hood coming off the bench at small forward and maybe some at shooting guard behind CJ McCollum.
Hood, who was averaging 11 points and shooting 49.3% on three-point attempts before he went down, could have gone elsewhere this offseason but chose to return after the team had acquired Covington.
Rodney Hood looks for a pass as individual workouts begin for the Portland Trail Blazers at their practice facility in Tualatin on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. Bruce Ely / Trail BlazersBruce Ely / Trail Blazers
Hood opted out of the final year of his contract worth $6 million. Many speculated that he did so in hopes of receiving a new contract from Portland. Hood said his agent advised him to opt out because there were other teams that were interested. But he, and his family, wanted to remain in Portland. So, he accepted a two-year, $20.8 million deal with the second season not guaranteed.
“Before I got hurt, I feel like I was in a really good groove and I was really settling in,” Hood said. “So I wanted to continue that and to be around these guys and be in this organization and this community and get back to health and play well again. That was my mindset and I’m glad to be back.”
Hood pointed out that he played a backup role in 2019 after being acquired in a trade from Cleveland. So, he’s not worried too much about minutes. He’s more concerned with remaining healthy.
“I’m just ready for whatever,” he said. “I’m just happy to be back on the court.”
Sitting out proved frustrating. He missed the game. Missed playing with his teammates. Rehabilitation is never fun. But life has a way of placing things into perspective, and the Hood family were dealt several heartbreaking blows in the past year.
“My family has been going through a tough time,” he said.
Hood’s wife, Richa Hood, who also played basketball at Duke, was there for him during his rehabilitation. Now it’s on him to be there for her following the recent loss of her father, Richard Jackson, on Oct. 26 at the age of 48.
“It has been extremely hard on us as a family, but particularly for her,” Hood said. “So, just trying to make sure she’s fine.”
Hood has also experienced loss in the past year. He said his AAU coach passed away from cancer earlier this year. Plus, he lost his nephew to gun violence when he was shot six times in Alabama over something Hood called “petty.”
“That’s somebody I used to babysit when I was younger,” he said.
The constant grief at times has been all consuming.
“So, I’ve been flying all over the country, going to funerals and trying to be there for my family, trying to be in good spirits, trying to just push through,” Hood said.
According to Hood, he hadn’t dealt with a lot of death in his life until this year, so having three important people pass away so recently has hit him hard and put things into perspective.
“When it comes to basketball and what I’m dealing with, with my injury and all that, it comes second nature. When it comes to life or death and loved ones leaving, having to be there for your family, not just emotionally, but financially or physically,” he said. “So, it’s been tough. It’s been tough all the way around, but you know it’s part of life. Part of life is dying and you just have to pick up where you left off.”
Those experiences, Hood said, made him more appreciate of life. No, he couldn’t play after Dec. 6 of last season, but that also allowed him to spend more time with his family.
Hood’s grandfather has been battling a terminal illness. Hood said he never complains. His grandfather’s son, Hood’s uncle, passed away years ago and his grandfather never complained.
“I talked to him on the phone and he was never talking about how tough it is,” Hood said. “He’s always worried about other people.”
If his grandfather isn’t complaining, Hood said, he has no reason to complain. All one can do, he said, is live life and enjoy the little moments.
“I’ve got to be strong for my family,” he said. “I’ve got to be strong for my kids and everybody. ... That doesn’t mean it’s not tough. You’ve just got to keep pushing on. That’s just life. Understanding that gives me strength.”
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress(Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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