Good news. Roy isn't dogging it. Bad news ...

[Nikolokolus]

The multiple injuries may have taken their toll on his body

Roy told me he is already making adjustments to his game and schedule given the heavier minutes load and some mental attention he's paying to the miles that are already on his body. "I think now my practice time is going to cut down a little bit. In the games, I'm just trying to pick my spots a little more smarter. I think just with some of the injuries I've had in the past, just trying to make my reads, be a little bit smarter, attack the basket, try to get guys in the air."

While observers have been calling for Roy to settle for his jumper less and attack the basket more, Roy made it sound tonight like his new perimeter-first approach has been by design. "I'm just playing a little bit more of a ground game," Roy told me. "Some of that is just trying to continue to understand my body and how I can get my game off. Pick my spots about when to go to the basket. I'm not jumping as high as I was. Tonight I thought I finally got the pump fake off in the paint, got the foul. Try to do things like that to keep opening my game up."

Roy has never been a whiner. Indeed, he is the opposite. He has played through injuries and pain too many times to count. But here we have a new look for Roy: apparently healthy but cautious, acknowledging some slippage in his athleticism and actively looking to evolve his game away from situations that could lead to injury. His mind is that of a chess player's, his thoughts multiple moves ahead. But this is a 26 year old man, who should still be a year or two away from his prime, openly stepping into a new chapter of his career.

Get ready to settle for Brandon Roy settling for jumpers.

http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/11/7/1798872/media-row-report-blazers-97-raptors-84

On the one hand, good for him and doing what he has to take care of himself, on the other, that creaking sound you hear isn't just his dodgy knees, it might be the sound of whatever slim championship hopes we had, slowly closing shut.

 

[Blazinaway]

The multiple injuries may have taken their toll on his body



http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/11/7/1798872/media-row-report-blazers-97-raptors-84



On the one hand, good for him and doing what he has to take care of himself, on the other, that creaking sound you hear isn't just his dodgy knees, it might be the sound of whatever slim championship hopes we had, slowly closing shut.

Frankly it makes sense given what we are seeing from him. I just wonder how bad those knees are, how close to bone on bone he is. The one "possible" positive is that if we believe this team has a lot of talent, it opens the window for a less "Roy-centric" team which IMO is a good thing, and allows guys like LMA and Batum and others to step up, and maybe Oden eventually (big maybe there).

 

[ABM]

On the one hand, good for him and doing what he has to take care of himself, on the other, that creaking sound you hear isn't just his dodgy knees, it might be the sound of whatever slim championship hopes we had, slowly closing shut.

On yet the other hand, this might be "regular season" Brandon talking. "Playoff" Brandon might be entirely different person. Remember back when, when Scottie was accused of "coasting" during the regular season? (of course, Pippen was 30-something at the time, as well.)

 

[Blazinaway]

On yet the other hand, this might be "regular season" Brandon talking. "Playoff" Brandon might be entirely different person. Remember back when, when Scottie was accused of "coasting" during the regular season? (of course, Pippen was 30-something at the time, as well.)

I don't think so. all those knee injuries have taken their toll, IMO the best example is that he has lost his explosiveness to the basket. He's still a very good player and hopefull some of the other guys can step up and no way should he be playing nearly 40 minutes a game, no way.

 

[Nikolokolus]

On yet the other hand, this might be "regular season" Brandon talking. "Playoff" Brandon might be entirely different person. Remember back when, when Scottie was accused of "coasting" during the regular season? (of course, Pippen was 30-something at the time, as well.)

I think you could be half right. I think he's doing his best to preserve his body for the games that count, which is sort of coasting, but I think the days of Roy playing like a top ten guy might be in the rearview mirror -- or at least to the right in the passing lane.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

On yet the other hand, this might be "regular season" Brandon talking. "Playoff" Brandon might be entirely different person. Remember back when, when Scottie was accused of "coasting" during the regular season? (of course, Pippen was 30-something at the time, as well.)

Maybe, but there's still the issue of him playing 1-on-3 during the clutch time of playoff games and having the ball repeatedly stripped away while a couple of teammates are wide open for easy 12-14' jumpers. That's not going to change.

 

[ABM]

Maybe, but there's still the issue of him playing 1-on-3 during the clutch time of playoff games and having the ball repeatedly stripped away while a couple of teammates are wide open for easy 12-14' jumpers. That's not going to change.

Then trade him...and that bloated contract, blast it!

 

[Blazinaway]

It's only 7 games but his FG% is now at 40.9% vs over 47% the past two years. Yes he is averaging 22 PPG but so far not as efficiently. I think we should watch this as the season progresses.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Then trade him...and that bloated contract, blast it!

The problem is that Roy is help up on a pedestal by you and others. It makes no difference he's now our worst defender among the starters. It makes no difference he can't make it in clutch time anymore- or at least far far less then he used to. It makes no difference he refuses to run when asked to by the head coach. He's up on that pedestal and he's never coming down. I suppose I understand that type of hero worshiping as it's not all that uncommon.

But the facts are a different story. And at some point in time one has to choose to either hero worship and look the other way, or accept the facts and act accordingly. It's a sad fact his nagging injuries are costing him his game, and maybe even sadder to have to be the one to begin to point it out as the hero worshipers are skewering me- but good.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

You knew this was going to happen once he finally got married.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

You knew this was going to happen once he finally got married.

I think you may have a point there.

 

[ABM]

You knew this was going to happen once he finally got married.

The real point isn't that he got married, though......it's that he didn't invite any of his teammates. Classic ISO wedding.

 

[the ob]

great. the beginning of the end for him. He is like an aging player who is trying to extend his playing years. The problem is that he is not an aging player........

 

[Blazinaway]

great. the beginning of the end for him. He is like an aging player who is trying to extend his playing years. The problem is that he is not an aging player........

if you read what Brandon said his BODY is aging from the wear and tear and how many knee surgeries? and how much cartilage is left?

 

[illmatic99]

And yet Nate insists on playing him 40 + mins.

I don't get it. I'd rather Roy go all out for 32, than change his game for 42.

 

[Blazinaway]

And yet Nate insists on playing him 40 + mins.

I don't get it. I'd rather Roy go all out for 32, than change his game for 42.

Now I would totally agree with that, my only caveat is can Roy go all out and be the player of the past several years, or have the knees limited him enough that even if he played full tilt for 32 minutes he would still be less effective? That is an important and very difficult question to attempt to answer.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

And yet Nate insists on playing him 40 + mins.

I don't get it. I'd rather Roy go all out for 32, than change his game for 42.

Perfect point. Isn't that why we went and overpaid for Matthews?

 

[Nikolokolus]

great. the beginning of the end for him. He is like an aging player who is trying to extend his playing years. The problem is that he is not an aging player........

Brandon is 26, but his knee is probably 65 in dog years.

 

[e_blazer]

I think you guys are being a bit too gloomy about this. I remember back when Clyde had his knee scoped and the next season it took him until close to the playoffs to regain his confidence and explosiveness. The important point though is that he did regain them. Brandon most likely will too.

 

[Blazinaway]

I think you guys are being a bit too gloomy about this. I remember back when Clyde had his knee scoped and the next season it took him until close to the playoffs to regain his confidence and explosiveness. The important point though is that he did regain them. Brandon most likely will too.

Was that Clyde's only surgery, I honestly can't remember. If I remember correctly Brandon has had two and maybe three surgeries on the same knee? it goes back to college

 

[Natebishop3]

The multiple injuries may have taken their toll on his body



http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/11/7/1798872/media-row-report-blazers-97-raptors-84

On the one hand, good for him and doing what he has to take care of himself, on the other, that creaking sound you hear isn't just his dodgy knees, it might be the sound of whatever slim championship hopes we had, slowly closing shut.

Wow, so this just confirms what we've been talking about for the past few days. Funny how that works, eh?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Wow, so this just confirms what we've been talking about for the past few days. Funny how that works, eh?

Yeah, but until now it was a whole lot of speculation and not much confirmation.

 

[julius]

I think that might be a case of reading a lot into a little.

Is he going to be the same player (athletic wise) as he was 3-4 years ago? Nope. He never really was a great athletic player to begin with.

Does that mean he's breaking down and we should trade him? Nope.

All player, outside of the top elite players, have to adjust their games.

Sounds like Brandon is going through an adjustment phase (in addition to dealing with injuries that he's accrued over his career), and that people are making it out to be a "Ive heard people say he'll barely last another 2 years"

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think that might be a case of reading a lot into a little.

Is he going to be the same player (athletic wise) as he was 3-4 years ago? Nope. He never really was a great athletic player to begin with.

Does that mean he's breaking down and we should trade him? Nope.

All player, outside of the top elite players, have to adjust their games.

Sounds like Brandon is going through an adjustment phase (in addition to dealing with injuries that he's accrued over his career), and that people are making it out to be a "Ive heard people say he'll barely last another 2 years"

Who said that? I'm just saying that if Roy doesn't have the ability to get to the rack and draw contact and finish the way he used to, this team is going to need to start manufacturing points in another way. Some people might argue that we've needed that all along, but right now I'm not so sure we have another great high percentage scorer. Maybe that's a new and improved LMA (yeesh), a healthy Oden (double yeesh) or Nic.

 

[julius]

Who said that? I'm just saying that if Roy doesn't have the ability to get to the rack and draw contact and finish the way he used to, this team is going to need to start manufacturing points in another way. Some people might argue that we've needed that all along, but right now I'm not so sure we have another great high percentage scorer. Maybe that's a new and improved LMA (yeesh), a healthy Oden (double yeesh) or Nic.

people on the radio, and the voices in my head.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I think that might be a case of reading a lot into a little.

Is he going to be the same player (athletic wise) as he was 3-4 years ago? Nope. He never really was a great athletic player to begin with.

Does that mean he's breaking down and we should trade him? Nope.

All player, outside of the top elite players, have to adjust their games.

Sounds like Brandon is going through an adjustment phase (in addition to dealing with injuries that he's accrued over his career), and that people are making it out to be a "Ive heard people say he'll barely last another 2 years"

He should be..

 

[julius]

He should be..

I disagree. Plus, it's not like he's gone from Vince Carter insanely athletic to Steve Smith at the end of his career. He's gone from Steve Smith at the start of his career to Steve Smith in his 5th year in the league.

Plus, we're upset that Roy is trying to not do things that could get him hurt? Really?

 

[Nikolokolus]

I disagree. Plus, it's not like he's gone from Vince Carter insanely athletic to Steve Smith at the end of his career. He's gone from Steve Smith at the start of his career to Steve Smith in his 5th year in the league.

Plus, we're upset that Roy is trying to not do things that could get him hurt? Really?

Roy's never been a highlight reel guy in terms of athleticism, but he's always had the ability to explode on his first step and he did have a 40 inch vert. The worrisome part is that he may have had just enough athleticism to do what he liked on the court, if he loses even half a step there's no telling how that will trickle down to the rest of his game.

 

[RoyToy]

I read that as if he wanted to still do those things he could be he knows the consequences of the pounding it takes on his body overall so he's avoiding it and not necessarily that it's already gone.

 

[Pinwheel1]

What it means is that we desperately need a PG that can attack the basket on a consistent basis to play along side him. Right now Miller is playing pretty damn well. A lot better than what Toronto had last night. (I still shake my head over the Calderon hype from a few years back)
But we still need to find the next Monte Ellis.