Is Roy back?

[Shooter]

Jason Quick thinks so:

In a performance that probably sent more than a few shivers down the spines of the upper echelon teams in the West, Brandon Roy on Tuesday scored 21 points, including 10 in a pressure-packed fourth quarter to help the Blazers beat Dallas 104-101.

It was vintage Roy, too, not just a bunch of jump shots. He was slashing. Attacking. Dribbling behind his back in traffic. Directing the Blazers offense. And, of course, hitting big shot after big shot.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/blazers_brandon_roy_rediscover.html

Unfortunately, I didn't see the game. Is Quick right--was Roy back to his old form?

 

[Blazinaway]

Jason Quick thinks so:



http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/blazers_brandon_roy_rediscover.html

Unfortunately, I didn't see the game. Is Quick right--was Roy back to his old form?

Probably best he's looked this year, he took it to the rim very nicely, but we must temper our enthusiasm and see how his knees hold up - Brandon basically said the same. But if he can play like this for 25 minutes a game it's a huge boost.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Jason Quick thinks so:



http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/blazers_brandon_roy_rediscover.html

Unfortunately, I didn't see the game. Is Quick right--was Roy back to his old form?

Don't know if it will last. And I wouldn't say he has the hops he had 2-3 years ago, but he was scoring at will against both Kidd and Stevenson. (From all over the court and in a variety of ways. I don't expect him to shoot like that every game, but if he does he will once again command a double team. He was getting in the lanes and to the basket.

He was soooooo clutch tonight in the 4th that it did feel like old times.

 

[craigehlo]

Roy looked good, but the Mavs perimeter D was fairly awful as well. I'd like to see him have a similar game against someone other than Jason Kidd.

Still, it was a very good sign.

 

[e_blazer]

Roy had enough hops to put down a probably ill-advised alley-oop pass he received. With his knees, who knows if this can be a regular thing or not, but for this game at least, he looked like the guy who earned 3 All-Star bids.

 

[magnifier661]

Jason Quick thinks so:



http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/blazers_brandon_roy_rediscover.html

Unfortunately, I didn't see the game. Is Quick right--was Roy back to his old form?

The great thing is Roy is being very realistic about it. He had an interview with the staff at NBA.com tv and said he is just taking it one day at a time. It sure seemed like Roy was having fun out there. He was almost smiling every time he made a basket. It almost was tear jerking for me.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

god i hope so, didnt get a chance to see the game, but hot damn, we have been playing great without our 3 time all star and unquestioned team leader, cant hurt to have him back to his old self

 

[mook]

Roy had enough hops to put down a probably ill-advised alley-oop pass he received.

I really loved how Roy looked last night, but that alley-oop was such a scary moment.

 

[e_blazer]

I really loved how Roy looked last night, but that alley-oop was such a scary moment.

I agree. I was thinking, "No, no, no...YES!!", and then watching to make sure he didn't crumple to the floor afterward.

 

[Natebishop3]

Well, I think it was said that we would see games like this..... The old Brandon would come back, and then he wouldn't be as effective for a couple of games. I'd really like to see him string together three or four games like last night before I'd say "he's back". I'm really hoping he can play like he did though. Brandon was never someone who relied heavily on jumping out of the building, but he did rely on his first step, so if he can demonstrate that he still has that quickness (or something like it), I'd be a very happy Blazers fan

 

[STOMP]

I agree. I was thinking, "No, no, no...YES!!", and then watching to make sure he didn't crumple to the floor afterward.

his jumping ability isn't affected by his lack of cartilage as his muscles & tendons are probably as strong as ever. It's his landing ability.

Roy still has game, how his body recovers from the stress of playing will determine how often he can show it. I suspect it's going to be an up and down ride with him

STOMP

 

[magnifier661]

Well, I think it was said that we would see games like this..... The old Brandon would come back, and then he wouldn't be as effective for a couple of games. I'd really like to see him string together three or four games like last night before I'd say "he's back". I'm really hoping he can play like he did though. Brandon was never someone who relied heavily on jumping out of the building, but he did rely on his first step, so if he can demonstrate that he still has that quickness (or something like it), I'd be a very happy Blazers fan

Yeah I'm feeling the same way. Felt really good watching him play so well; but I'm hoping for a nice 3-4 games playing at this level.

 

[magnifier661]

BTW... I loved watching BRoy smile after every shot. It was almost like he knew what was happening and was so thankful for it.

 

[blazerboy30]

No, we didn't see the 3-time All-star last night. He looked better than he has all season, but he was nowhere near his peak form of a couple years ago. He did make some nice drive / slashing / cutting plays and finishes. However, many of his moves resulted in very difficult fadeaway jumpers that he was able to make... last night.

I wouldn't expect him to make the shots he did last night at such a high percentage, because they were very difficult shots. In the past, instead of resulting in fadeaways, his attempts would have resulted in finishes at the rim.

So, no... the "old" Roy isn't "back". But if he can play near the level he played at last night, he will make our team better.

 

[magnifier661]

No, we didn't see the 3-time All-star last night. He looked better than he has all season, but he was nowhere near his peak form of a couple years ago. He did make some nice drive / slashing / cutting plays and finishes. However, many of his moves resulted in very difficult fadeaway jumpers that he was able to make... last night.

I wouldn't expect him to make the shots he did last night at such a high percentage, because they were very difficult shots. In the past, instead of resulting in fadeaways, his attempts would have resulted in finishes at the rim.

So, no... the "old" Roy isn't "back". But if he can play near the level he played at last night, he will make our team better.

Do we really want the "Old Roy"? If Roy can give a good performance late 3rd and 4th quarters, it will be great for our team. I like the limited minutes and I think Roy looks as though he likes this new gig. It really allows him to put his peddle to the metal for the short amount of time on the floor. Will he always put up these numbers? Chances are no. But I really agree with you that he will make our team better and right now that's all that matters.

 

[blazerboy30]

Do we really want the "Old Roy"?

You mean "3-time All-star and All-NBA second team Old Roy"? Yes, I think we would LOVE to have the "old" Roy back. But we won't, and we didn't last night. But considering the way things were looking a couple months ago, I'll gladly take the Roy we saw last night.

If Roy can give a good performance late 3rd and 4th quarters, it will be great for our team. I like the limited minutes and I think Roy looks as though he likes this new gig. It really allows him to put his peddle to the metal for the short amount of time on the floor. Will he always put up these numbers? Chances are no. But I really agree with you that he will make our team better and right now that's all that matters.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think we should thank LMA for stepping up because Beast-Mode LMA makes it easier for Roy to play like Old Roy. 2008 Roy played amazing with no other player in the game demanding a double-team. Now, LMA is an automatic double, which means Roy and LMA can play a pick and roll two-man game that will make defenses scream in frustration. If they hesitate to double Roy on the pick, Roy can drive past them without having to make crazy lateral moves. If they double Roy immediately, one or two passes gets the ball to LMA on the pop.

New LMA will allow New Roy to look like Old Roy in the 4th by dominating quarters 1-3.

 

[andalusian]

Roy looked good. Some of the moves were vintage Roy - the scoring at the rim going into the center's chest was one of those moves that separate the men from the boys - I think we will continue to see improvement from Roy with some sub-par games in there as well - but if there is a guy you know will work his butt off and will get the most he can from his body - it's Roy - and that's all you need.

 

[blazerboy30]

I think we should thank LMA for stepping up because Beast-Mode LMA makes it easier for Roy to play like Old Roy. 2008 Roy played amazing with no other player in the game demanding a double-team. Now, LMA is an automatic double, which means Roy and LMA can play a pick and roll two-man game that will make defenses scream in frustration. If they hesitate to double Roy on the pick, Roy can drive past them without having to make crazy lateral moves. If they double Roy immediately, one or two passes gets the ball to LMA on the pop.

New LMA will allow New Roy to look like Old Roy in the 4th by dominating quarters 1-3.

Good point. Hopefully, though, Nate doesn't try to go back to "old" 4th quarter offense of 1-4 sets with Roy trying to go 1-on-5 and not utilizing the new LMA "beast-mode".

 

[Pinwheel1]

No, we didn't see the 3-time All-star last night. He looked better than he has all season, but he was nowhere near his peak form of a couple years ago. He did make some nice drive / slashing / cutting plays and finishes. However, many of his moves resulted in very difficult fadeaway jumpers that he was able to make... last night.

I wouldn't expect him to make the shots he did last night at such a high percentage, because they were very difficult shots. In the past, instead of resulting in fadeaways, his attempts would have resulted in finishes at the rim.

So, no... the "old" Roy isn't "back". But if he can play near the level he played at last night, he will make our team better.

I would say about half of baskets last night were at the rim. (4-5) That's about the same percentage he was at in previous years. He always shot those difficult fadeaways and pull up J's. I understand what your are saying though about not finishing the same way. (With reckless abandon) Hoepfully he will stay away from the punishment he received everytime he drove to the basket and ended up on the floor. Those days should be over.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Good point. Hopefully, though, Nate doesn't try to go back to "old" 4th quarter offense of 1-4 sets with Roy trying to go 1-on-5 and not utilizing the new LMA "beast-mode".

They did run one set like that in the 3rd and it ended predictably. Roy got halted around the middle of the key, made a jookie move to get a little space but couldn't, shot a crazy-ass fadeaway... and drilled it as time expired.



I think the plays run in crunch time (middle-to-late 4th quarter) are more of an indication of where Nate is going with the Roy/LMA pairing.

 

[Eastoff]

Good point. Hopefully, though, Nate doesn't try to go back to "old" 4th quarter offense of 1-4 sets with Roy trying to go 1-on-5 and not utilizing the new LMA "beast-mode".

This exactly! the 1-5 set is way too easy to defend.

Keep in mind, Roy was 2-8 in the first half. Repeat, he missed 6 of his 8 shots in the first half. He is not the old Roy.

 

[Weav]

I've said a few times here that I didn't believe the Roy situation was as dire as it has been presented. I don't think old Roy is back, and he likely never will be. I do think that Brandon can be an efficient player. I like him in this role of bench player, but fourth quarter player. I still want the offense to run through Aldridge, but I'm okay with an occasional Roy ISO to (Scott Ferrell voice) 'shake it up'.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think I like the new Aldridge more than the old Roy.... if the current Roy can co-exist with the new Aldridge, I think I might prefer that to the old Roy and the old Aldridge.

 

[magnifier661]

I think I like the new Aldridge more than the old Roy.... if the current Roy can co-exist with the new Aldridge, I think I might prefer that to the old Roy and the old Aldridge.

That would be a perfect world. Then we can hope that we get a new Oden. One that doesn't get into foul trouble and can play more than 20 games in 3 seasons. If that happens, then my signature will hold true!

 

[KevinJBonn]

I had a sinking feeling that I'd see a tweet today saying he missed practice because of his knees, thus making him "Not back". Luckily Joe Freeman and Jay Allen are tweeting that it's his back that caused him to sit out today. I guess I can accept that. I really had hoped last night's performance will be repeated, but having my bad feeling partially confirmed sucks.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I've said a few times here that I didn't believe the Roy situation was as dire as it has been presented. I don't think old Roy is back, and he likely never will be. I do think that Brandon can be an efficient player. I like him in this role of bench player, but fourth quarter player. I still want the offense to run through Aldridge, but I'm okay with an occasional Roy ISO to (Scott Ferrell voice) 'shake it up'.

I hope I don't have to eat my words.....but I never did either. The talk that he might never play again did not make much sense to me, based on what we saw 3-4 games before he went out. Will he ever be the same as he once was? Probably not.
But he can still be a very good NBA player.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I had a sinking feeling that I'd see a tweet today saying he missed practice because of his knees, thus making him "Not back". Luckily Joe Freeman and Jay Allen are tweeting that it's his back that caused him to sit out today. I guess I can accept that. I really had hoped last night's performance will be repeated, but having my bad feeling partially confirmed sucks.

I remember that orthopedic surgeon who said the best way to maximize the minutes remaining on Roy's knees is to let him sit out of practice. I wonder if the staff has taken that sentiment to heart a bit. I mean yeah, he did some twisting and turning out there, but i wonder if saying his back is hurt is just a way of saying "sit down and relax" without giving Roy "special treatment".

I look at that performance as probably a one-game-in-four deal. He'll like have two more games at 66% of that, and one at 33%. But having him at all is better than not having him.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I look at that performance as probably a one-game-in-four deal. He'll like have two more games at 66% of that, and one at 33%. But having him at all is better than not having him.

Agreed. He does not have to score every game. Him just being out there gives the second unit so much more stability. And down the stretch in the 4th quarter just having him as a threat will help LMA.

I still don't like the Rudy/Roy back court for most games though. I can't see that working against Philly. Maybe Cleveland. But the second unit needs Mills to get it together.

 

[magnifier661]

Agreed. He does not have to score every game. Him just being out there gives the second unit so much more stability. And down the stretch in the 4th quarter just having him as a threat will help LMA.

I still don't like the Rudy/Roy back court for most games though. I can't see that working against Philly. Maybe Cleveland. But the second unit needs Mills to get it together.

And if you look at the other players (Miller and Batum), he helped when their game wasn't working out too well. This will happen to Roy or any other player for that matter. This is why I have this weird feeling about the ballclub. They all have stepped up when others aren't having a good game.