Brandon Haters.........

[mgb]

I think it's senseless for Roy to bang himself up during the preseason, there's no reason for it. He came here to play with other Blazers before TC started unlike many teams so I'm not to worried about his leadership and other players getting the wrong msg. Of course he's going to bring a different intensity when it counts. I have full confidence in Roy knowing what is best for him and the team to be playing at his best come next Tuesday.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Interesting. Do you think he will force some bad shots?

I think he has forced bad shots for 3 years. Not because he wants to, but because he has to within our "offense"


I think with the issues he and Miller have, and Brandon's desire to want the ball more and run more ISO's, it will only increase the poor shots he is forced to take.


Also, Brandon always plays worse in preseason than in the regular season, but never this bad. Brandon is averaging 8.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg 2.2 apg. His previous preseason he averaged 12.4 ppg (his worst until this season), 2.1 rpg, 4.4 apg. Until he shows me something different, I will assume he is the typical athlete who got paid and relaxed.

 

[Blazinaway]

I agree showing the young guys he's coasting does not set a good example, but the young guys aren't 3rd graders! They are grown ass men trying to make the NBA. They aren't sitting around saying,"I'm taking tonight off cause Brandon is!" These aren't kids. By the way, what do YOU think Roy will average once the games count?

They may not be saying that but they will follow the tone the leader sets. Also, if other players weren't influenced significantly by some players on a team then would the Blazer organization have been as concerned about the JailBlazer image as they were? or that whenever we now draft or trade for players that character plays such a big key. IMO a "leader" loafing or cruising is in it's own way just as bad.

 

[Blazinaway]

I think it's senseless for Roy to bang himself up during the preseason, there's no reason for it. He came here to play with other Blazers before TC started unlike many teams so I'm not to worried about his leadership and other players getting the wrong msg. Of course he's going to bring a different intensity when it counts. I have full confidence in Roy knowing what is best for him and the team to be playing at his best come next Tuesday.

I am glad you have that "full confidence", I don't. And if he can't play hard for 26 minutes (at 26 yrs old) in preseason then I worry about his overall health, especially the knees.

 

[THE HCP]

What has his FG% been over his career? I always considered him under control compared to a lot of SG's in the league. If Rudy can keep his shooting up, they won't be able to double Brandon, thus equaling easier shots and higher FG% in my opinion. IF!

 

[THE HCP]

I am glad you have that "full confidence", I don't. And if he can't play hard for 26 minutes (at 26 yrs old) in preseason then I worry about his overall health, especially the knees.

What in the past has happened that would make you NOT have confidence?

 

[Blazinaway]

What in the past has happened that would make you NOT have confidence?

He has yet to "lead" this team out of the first rd, and for me his "potential" leadership role is just emerging, he has not IMO been a strong leader so far. If he is to become one it will happen this yr and next, if not then we'll see what happens.

 

[Minstrel]

and HCP why can't YOU grasp the fact that as a leader IMO he is NOT setting a good example at all for a lot of the young guys we have.

Almost all veterans cruise to some extent in the pre-season. Therefore, either there are no leaders in the NBA or you aren't really zeroing in one what constitutes leadership.

Guys like Kobe have EARNED the right to cruise

Guys like Kobe have earned the right to be bad leaders and instill bad habits in the younger players on their teams? That seems like a peculiar stance.

 

[Minstrel]

The problem is, you fall into bad habits when you don't play hard, and Roy has fallen into some very bad habits this pre-season.

The problem with your theory is that Roy has cruised the last couple of pre-seasons also and didn't do so in the regular season.

 

[Blazinaway]

The problem with your theory is that Roy has cruised the last couple of pre-seasons also and didn't do so in the regular season.

yet the point you miss, at least IMO, is the standard and attitude the sets with the TEAM. I'll make a fearless forecast here, over time and beginning this year WES MATTHEWS will emerge as the hart and soul type leader of this team, not the scorer or go to guy perhaps, but the guy that really gets this team playing winning bball.

and Kobe from all I have heard has an exceptional work ethic, given the championships he has won I'd suggest that part of his leadership has worked for the teams he has been on

 

[Natebishop3]

Interesting. Do you think he will force some bad shots?

Having the ball in his hands more, especially in an iso, and teams focusing on him? Yeah, I think he will probably force some bad shots.

 

[Minstrel]

yet the point you miss, at least IMO, is the standard and attitude the sets with the TEAM.

So you feel that the past two seasons, the team played with little effort? After all, Roy set the same tone the last couple of pre-seasons. That seems pretty at odds with the reality of how they fought to win 50 games through a ton of injuries.

I'll make a fearless forecast here, over time and beginning this year WES MATTHEWS will emerge as the hart and soul type leader of this team, not the scorer or go to guy perhaps, but the guy that really gets this team playing winning bball.

Yes, very fearless. How will you measure the "heart and soul"-ness of the players and who is "really getting the team playing winning basketball?"

 

[Blazinaway]

So you feel that the past two seasons, the team played with little effort? After all, Roy set the same tone the last couple of pre-seasons. That seems pretty at odds with the reality of how they fought to win 50 games through a ton of injuries.



Yes, very fearless. How will you measure the "heart and soul"-ness of the players and who is "really getting the team playing winning basketball?"[/QUOT

I am not concerned about Roy being able to step it up individually, I am concerned if we are able to play with the attitude and intensity needed to win in the playoffs. One thing I will be watching closely for this season is Roy's effort on D which often times is lacking in the regular season. If he picks that effort up his team will follow, if he slacks there, which is a point of emphasis with Nate, that will for me be an example of poor leadership. I am hoping he shows us that effort.

 

[inconceivable]

23 ppg 5 apg 5 rpg

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Of course I wish the team and Brandon were playing well right now, but this was aimed at a few on here who have the balls and gall to say he has peaked and his play will continue in the regular season. It's a joke! If he had been averaging 25 a game so far, people would be going nuts about him being played too much or him burning out. He will be fine, this is our 2nd team all nba all star we are talking about.

A few things...

1) I'm not a Brandon hater, but I feel he doesn't fit Nate's offense. Nate wants the team to hustle up court, Brandon wants to slowly walk. Nate wants more pick & rolls, Brandon wants more iso for him. He seems to be a square peg in a round hole.

2) After last season some smart people stated he was going to end up having microfracture surgery on his knee(s) within 2 years due to injries and other reasons I cannot recall. If so, maybe he's playing on aching knees.

3) I don;t think he's dogging it, but getting used to his team mates.

 

[Minstrel]

One thing I will be watching closely for this season is Roy's effort on D which often times is lacking in the regular season.

I agree with you that his effort on defense can be lacking, though i don't think it has to do with his pre-season action.

If he picks that effort up his team will follow

I don't really agree with that. I think you're overrating how much leadership inspires other players. I think the vast majority of players perform based on their own talents and motivations and are not significantly affected by the desire of the players around them. Batum, the youngest player on the team the last two seasons, has played very good defense. Bayless, the next youngest I think, has played hard on defense (even if not terribly effectively yet).

 

[gatorpops]

i think the only different is he might average a little less PPG and maybe a small spike in assists. main reason is i think LA is going to have a break out year..ive gone to two preseason games and he looks determined even in the preseason

This just can't be true! If so how do we explain "Veterans" not trying/playing hard such as (Smile)

 

[THE HCP]

There are so many ways to judge a player. A person who comes to mind is Reggie Miller, the guy was fucking money in the playoffs and brought it every night............. EXCEPT ON DEFENSE! He was a warrior out there on the offensive end, but that's it. I'd rather have Brandon concentrate on the O and let the weak side help come to his aid. There are 25 or so other teams that would love to have him as their starting 2. It's easy to pick apart a players game, if you aren't happy with him, who would you rather have and how would you acquire him/her?

 

[Blazinaway]

There are so many ways to judge a player. A person who comes to mind is Reggie Miller, the guy was fucking money in the playoffs and brought it every night............. EXCEPT ON DEFENSE! He was a warrior out there on the offensive end, but that's it. I'd rather have Brandon concentrate on the O and let the weak side help come to his aid. There are 25 or so other teams that would love to have him as their starting 2. It's easy to pick apart a players game, if you aren't happy with him, who would you rather have and how would you acquire him/her?

Honest reply, I'd rather have CP3 and use Matthews/Rudy at the 2, this team is built to run and IMO CP3 fits our personnel better that Roy. That being said any such deal is likely a pipe dream.

 

[Natebishop3]

There are so many ways to judge a player. A person who comes to mind is Reggie Miller, the guy was fucking money in the playoffs and brought it every night............. EXCEPT ON DEFENSE! He was a warrior out there on the offensive end, but that's it. I'd rather have Brandon concentrate on the O and let the weak side help come to his aid. There are 25 or so other teams that would love to have him as their starting 2. It's easy to pick apart a players game, if you aren't happy with him, who would you rather have and how would you acquire him/her?

Reggie was a polar opposite to Roy on offense though. He moved without the ball. He rarely handled it on an iso. That wasn't his game. He played within the offense.

 

[Ed O]

I have never thought Roy was a top 10 player (at least not yet...) and that's been enough to label me as a hater in the eyes of some, but I am utterly unconcerned about his preseason. I expect him to have his usual excellent season, and I'm excited to see if he can take the next step up to be a truly elite NBA player.

Ed O.

 

[THE HCP]

Reggie was a polar opposite to Roy on offense though. He moved without the ball. He rarely handled it on an iso. That wasn't his game. He played within the offense.

I wasn't comparing their style of play, just showing that a player can be dominant on one end of the floor and not the other and still be valuable. Once again, I'm right and your wrong FAMS!

 

[Natebishop3]

I wasn't comparing their style of play, just showing that a player can be dominant on one end of the floor and not the other and still be valuable. Once again, I'm right and your wrong FAMS!

Ah, but here's the key to my argument.... Reggie moved without the ball....... A LOT. He was always running. He was always moving. He might not have played much defense, but his man was fucking TIRED by the end of the game. Roy is slow. He barely moves. It's his calling card. Roy's man isn't going to be nearly as tired as a guy who was defending Miller.

 

[oldguy]

20/5/5

I think it sets a bad example for Brandon to coast. I would rather see him play hard for a short spurt in each half than to play more minutes on cruise control. When he's out there taking it easy, there is someone on the bench that could be getting some good out of that PT.

Go Blazers

 

[Blazinaway]

20/5/5

I think it sets a bad example for Brandon to coast. I would rather see him play hard for a short spurt in each half than to play more minutes on cruise control. When he's out there taking it easy, there is someone on the bench that could be getting some good out of that PT.

Go Blazers

yep, +1

 

[BGrantFan]

Why do people assume that Roy is "coasting"? What observation is this insult to his on-court integrity based upon?

 

[Natebishop3]

Why do people assume that Roy is "coasting"? What observation is this insult to his on-court integrity based upon?

Because the alternative is much more concerning.

 

[BGrantFan]

Because the alternative is much more concerning.

Miller has taken over control of the team by mutiny?

 

[Minstrel]

Miller has taken over control of the team by mutiny?

Armed mutiny. The only question is, how deep does this revolution go? Is this why Pritchard was fired? He brought Miller in, maybe he was paving the way to depose Roy, whom he saw as a threat.

This is deeply concerning. I knew Miller had never made it out of the first round (because he doesn't really care and drags incredibly talented teams down), but I never realized he was a force for evil.

 

[BGrantFan]

Armed mutiny. The only question is, how deep does this revolution go? Is this why Pritchard was fired? He brought Miller in, maybe he was paving the way to depose Roy, whom he saw as a threat.

This is deeply concerning. I knew Miller had never made it out of the first round (because he doesn't really care and drags incredibly talented teams down), but I never realized he was a force for evil.

What do you think Miller does all summer instead of working out? He dreams up evil plots, of course.