I apologize for my forum meltdown

[magnifier661]

In all seriousness, I agree with both those statements. Nate's old school and old school states that washed up franchise players get to play whenever they want- no matter how badly it hurts the team.

Wrong. How quickly you forget last season when Andre Miller came to town. He was about as old school as you get, yet he was coming off the bench. And most recently, G. Wallace coming to town being an allstar and coming in to play back up SF. Yes they are now starters on the ball club, but they earned their playing time. Roy is coming off the bench. According to your "philosophy" Roy would be starting now.

 

[Natebishop3]

Of course I understand that, but another sad truth is we are and will be stuck with Roy's contract. In terms of "Cap Space", even without Roy's contract; we would still be over cap. The only thing that would change is the possibility of luxury tax relief for the owner. Do you think this will help the Blazers? Wouldn't you rather hope for the best, cheer Roy on as much as you can; hoping he can get back to old form?

Listen maybe Roy's explosiveness is all but behind him, but he has arguably the highest B-Ball IQ on the floor. If he was to at least get his confidence back, possibly figure out another playing style that would suit his health condition and be a floor general, leader and mentor for the other up and coming Blazers, then that is worth it's weight in Gold.

People must remember, with or without Roy's contract, we will be over cap, regardless. Nothing, no negotiations, even cap increase will give us room. The only way that it could possibly help is if the league allowed an insurance to "Max Contract Players"; if they could no longer play at the level they were signed to; then the team has that much money to sign a free agent. The owner would still have to pay the luxury tax and the salary of the max player would still be on the books.

That would make it a little harder for teams to just toss a player; just because they cannot live up to expectations.

But the problem is, his contract is going to make him a gigantic target for the fans when things go wrong. That's just reality.

I also do not agree that Roy has the highest BBIQ on the floor. I think Andre Miller is far and away the smarter basketball player. I don't know if that comes from experience, or just style of play, but I've always felt that much of Roy's ability was natural talent. Miller is always thinking. He's looking down court, looking for an exploit, trying to get an edge. I've never felt that way about Roy. He's more about imposing his own tempo onto the game and trying to slow things down. He isn't a very good defender, he never really was to begin with, and most of his assists came from a kick out on a drive and dish. Miller's assists come from a myriad of passes (alley oops, getting the ball down court, hitting the cutter, etc).

The true test of his BBIQ is how he adapts his game. So far we haven't seen much of an adjustment from Roy, which has made me question his on-court intelligence. Great players find a way to stay great. Michael Jordan could barely dunk the ball during his stint with the Washington Wizards, but he was still able to put up points. Roy needs to study how other scoring guards have changed their games to stay effective. He can't get past his man anymore, but he could learn a post up game... there are things he could do.... I just haven't seen anything from him that says he's even trying to adapt.

 

[magnifier661]

He isn't a very good defender, he never really was to begin with, and most of his assists came from a kick out on a drive and dish.

"Roy 365 days, seven days a week. Roy has no weaknesses in his game," Bryant said.

That came from the best player in the NBA. Not that I am saying you don't have a point, but the players on the floor have a better idea of the game. I would think Kobe wouldn't give props unless props were due.

Of course this is pre-surgery B-Roy, but you said or made it seem that Roy wasn't a good defender when healthy.

 

[magnifier661]

Great players find a way to stay great. Michael Jordan could barely dunk the ball during his stint with the Washington Wizards, but he was still able to put up points. Roy needs to study how other scoring guards have changed their games to stay effective. He can't get past his man anymore, but he could learn a post up game... there are things he could do.... I just haven't seen anything from him that says he's even trying to adapt.

Now I agree with this statement. But remember Roy went into surgery and work last off-season expecting to be Old Roy. Maybe during this offseason, his game in this facet will improve. I don't think anyone, including Roy, thought his game would have dropped this rapidly. So it's no argument that Roy is a gym rat and has the desire to always be on top. I assume Roy would take this off-season to figure out how he can help this ball club.