Roy Felt "Hurt" He Didn't Play More

[SlyPokerDog]

I've been wondering the same thing, because I think that you're right that long term that's his only shot at remaining an effective player. I don't necessarily agree that Roy's days as a creator are done. I think a summer's work and a training camp are needed to determine whether he can regain some of his quickness and confidence. He insists that it's not a pain problem, so I'll take his word for that. He wouldn't be the first guy to need a considerable amount of time to trust in his knees again after double knee surgery.

Except all Roy had done was his knees scoped. As far as knee surgeries go that is very minor. It was just a clean out not a major repair and rebuilding of something in the knees.

 

[e_blazer]

Except all Roy had done was his knees scoped. As far as knee surgeries go that is very minor. It was just a clean out not a major repair and rebuilding of something in the knees.

True, but Roy was already dealing with knees that had been giving him a lot of pain all season. I think that there's a mental aspect to the cumulative effects of what he's been going through. I'm not ready to throw Roy under the bus until I see where he is by training camp.

 

[Blazinaway]

True, but Roy was already dealing with knees that had been giving him a lot of pain all season. I think that there's a mental aspect to the cumulative effects of what he's been going through. I'm not ready to throw Roy under the bus until I see where he is by training camp.

he may have "thrown himself under the bus"

 

[e_blazer]

he may have "thrown himself under the bus"

Plenty of "Thanks for saving the franchise, but what have you done for us lately" "fans" seem willing to help push him there.

 

[Blazinaway]

Plenty of "Thanks for saving the franchise, but what have you done for us lately" "fans" seem willing to help push him there.

no pushing was necessary, this is his doing

 

[PapaG]

Plenty of "Thanks for saving the franchise, but what have you done for us lately" "fans" seem willing to help push him there.

Yep. It's the one thing about this specific community that is different from the ESPN crowd.

 

[TP3]

S E L F I S H and immature. Incredible. He has the pain tolerance of a 2yr old. Slow to get off the floor his entire career...always the victim. He had the talent to become elite but is not mentally strong enough or mature enough to be the leader of an elite team. Sad. Such is our life as fans of this franchise.

 

[Sedatedfork]

Well this should definitely help team chemistry.

 

[Masbee]

Dear Brandon:

You suck now.

K. Thanks.

 

[PapaG]

Dear Brandon:

You suck now.

K. Thanks.

p.s. Yet the team played like shit in the 4th quarter without you.

 

[Blaze01]

Plenty of "Thanks for saving the franchise, but what have you done for us lately" "fans" seem willing to help push him there.

What should they do? Keep playing him when his performance is lousy as payment for past services rendered?

The NBA isn't about what you have done in the past, it is about what are you doing for me NOW...as in RIGHT NOW,

He was rewarded for his "past" play with a max year contract and now POR is on the hook for it while he is but a shell of what he once was as a player, and he has the fucking balls to declare that he needs MORE playing time? When his play has done little,and that is being gracious, to warrant it?

Are you fucking kidding me?

 

[mook]

Legit question: do you think that, with an offseason of work, that Roy can become an uber-James Jones? A creaky-kneed guy who is lethal from 3 (especially the corner), with the added benefit of being able to drive every once in a while?

Because I'm not seeing evidence that Roy-The-Creator is around anymore, and if he's taking jumpers I'd rather them be from 3 than from 2.

I think with an off-season of rehab he might be able to transform himself into the Boston version of Stephon Marbury.

Much like Marbury in NYC, it's just impossible to see him being happy with a backup role in Portland. He's like a teen complaining about how bad his parents treat him--there's no way he'll understood how good he had it until you throw him out into the real world and make him earn a role on somebody else's bench.

And it's a two-way street. Roy melts down on the bench when he gets seated early in the second quarter. Guys like Batum and Matthews, who've looked up to him since they entered the league, sense that. A team leader feels hopeless and lost and is on the verge of tears, and they see that, and we ask these young 20-something kids to then go out and beat a 57 win team featuring tested veterans like Dirk and Kidd on the Dallas court.

I'm not saying Roy's identity crisis caused the complete meltdown in game 2. But it sure as fuck didn't help. There was enough pressure and 20k screaming fans without his body language (and anything he might've said then or any time in the last week, even in complete confidence) adding to the confusion.

We have to get rid of him. We cut Steve Francis without him even playing a single game on this team because we foresaw that he was an egotistical guard who just couldn't cope with his new identity. I don't see how you can't do the same thing with Roy.

Man, I hope the new CBA has an amnesty clause.

 

[mook]

Plenty of "Thanks for saving the franchise, but what have you done for us lately" "fans" seem willing to help push him there.

I'm happy to make him a statue or retire his jersey or some other gesture to thank him for helping to pull this team out of the massive tailspin it was in when he arrived. That, plus $80 million, is more than enough.

In fact, $80 million is more than enough.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Things Brandon needs to learn even more than how to be a new James Jones:

1. Don't talk to Jason Quick about your feelings. Ever.

Actually, that's it.

Roy has always been a tender plant, all-too-ready to speak openly about being upset. It's just before he was also a great player.

But seriously, if Peja Stojakovic can be a productive player for the Mavs at this point, you've got to think Brandon could be of SOME use...

 

[PapaG]

Add shit to shit, and you'd just get more shit. But less shit would be easier to clean up, I'd think (I don't know; I don't have kids).

The 4th quarter with Roy in Game One was more competitive than the 4th quarter in Game Two without Roy. I know you like to kick people when they're down, but you can't argue with what happened on the court.

Nate fucked up by sitting Roy in the 4th, IMO. Matthews gave him nothing.

 

[e_blazer]

I'm happy to make him a statue or retire his jersey or some other gesture to thank him for helping to pull this team out of the massive tailspin it was in when he arrived. That, plus $80 million, is more than enough.

In fact, $80 million is more than enough.

Contracts don't play in the NBA. I'm tired of hearing whining about what Brandon is owed by the team. Nobody forced the Blazers to offer the contract that they did. All I'm saying, if anybody really cares, is that:

A. Brandon hasn't been put in a position to play to his strengths since his return so I don't know how much to read into what he's going to be able to do long term.

B. I think it's short sighted to think that what we're seeing out of Brandon right now is all that he will be able to do next season after some time to work on his game, his conditioning, and his confidence.

If it makes people around here feel better, I'm more than glad to say that what he was quoted as saying is stupid and immature given what he's shown on the court lately.

 

[mook]

A. Brandon hasn't been put in a position to play to his strengths since his return so I don't know how much to read into what he's going to be able to do long term.

I've heard Roy say that too. I just don't buy it. I saw Roy a couple of times last night handle the ball for 12 seconds while trying to create his shot or something for somebody else. I've definitely seen that act dozens of times since he rejoined the lineup. That is playing to Roy's strengths (or at least what his strengths were when he was an All Star).

And it mostly really sucks now, because he doesn't have the athleticism to get to the rim anymore so he's one-dimensional.

Now he might have newfound strengths we haven't seen. Maybe he can be a great spot-up shooter (but then wouldn't we see that by now?) He clearly can't be a defensive role player. He can't really be great running off curls because he's just not quick enough. He dominates the ball too much to be a strong backup PG.

I just don't see it. His old strengths are now liabilities, and there just don't seem to be many new strengths on the horizon.

B. I think it's short sighted to think that what we're seeing out of Brandon right now is all that he will be able to do next season after some time to work on his game, his conditioning, and his confidence.

People used that same argument about guys like Francis and Marbury and Grant Hill. Hill did have a second act in his career, but he demonstrated a lot of personality traits I just don't see in Roy. But I do see some personality similarities to Roy in Francis and Marion.

 

[Paxil]

Legit question: do you think that, with an offseason of work, that Roy can become an uber-James Jones? A creaky-kneed guy who is lethal from 3 (especially the corner), with the added benefit of being able to drive every once in a while?

Because I'm not seeing evidence that Roy-The-Creator is around anymore, and if he's taking jumpers I'd rather them be from 3 than from 2.

I know the popular opinion is Roy's knee's are shot... and they may be, but I still think is biggest problem is further north and sits on top his neck. He came back and proved he could play... he was sharp... he drove... he played D... he was at the speed of the other players... and then after a few weeks that just stopped.

Knee? Maybe... but seriously... he doesn't look hobbled from an injury... he looks like he is NOT TRYING. The first time I saw him doing it was the rookie all star game... he was horrible... just coasting... the next year he stepped it up and played very well. We have always seen him kinda coast through 3 quarters and step it up in the 4th... he seems to have gone to permanent coast mode... and good lord... you can't do that in the playoffs... no way no how.

 

[PapaG]

See, I said the same thing in game 1. I thought Nate messed up by playing Roy too long in the 4th quarter of game 1. I also said Roy played like crap, but never remotely blamed him for the loss. Ultimately, it's up to the coach to recognize which players are helping the team and play them accordingly.

I disagree with you about Nate fucked up by not playing Roy in the 4th quarter of game 2. Roy hasn't shown he's capable of being a positive contributor in any way so far in this series. You go with your more reliable player (any argument that Wes was a more reliable player than Roy during the season?) I suppose we could have tried it and hoped for the best, but I rather doubt the outcome would have been any different.

Matthews, in 55 minutes, has a PER of 1.9 after two games.

Roy has a PER of -7.9. in 35 minutes.

Rudy has a PER of 18.4 in 29 minutes.

Roy and Matthews are playing like shit. Free Rudy!

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Roy can still be effective if we get forced into a half court game. At least I hope so.

 

[mook]

Matthews, in 55 minutes, has a PER of 1.9 after two games.

Roy has a PER of -7.9. in 35 minutes.

Rudy has a PER of 18.4 in 29 minutes.

Roy and Matthews are playing like shit. Free Rudy!

PER isn't a great indicator in a two-game sample size. But of the three I definitely think Rudy is playing the best of them.

 

[PapaG]

PER isn't a great indicator in a two-game sample size. But of the three I definitely think Rudy is playing the best of them.

With numbers like that, it does.

 

[jlprk]

Roy went to someone during the summer to get indoctrinated in leadership skills. No doubt, hypnotism was used. This seems to have destroyed his mind. Before this his conceit had already turned off Aldridge and Miller, and now it's worse, he's blind to reality. He is a walking zombie and we should all feel sorry for him as he asks.

It's his unconscious mind trying to talk to us, begging for help to escape his slavemaster conscious mind. The Manchurian Candidate needs a good hypnotist to cancel the bad hypnotist's orders. Until then Paul Allen is in danger of assassination.

 

[magnifier661]

Could be that he just needs a change of scenery. I don't know, but it's obvious he doesn't fit into the new Blazer system. The sad reality is no other team would even take his contract on. Kinda bad both sides.

 

[Masbee]

Things Brandon needs to learn even more than how to be a new James Jones:

1. Don't talk to Jason Quick about your feelings. Ever.

Actually, that's it.

Roy has always been a tender plant, all-too-ready to speak openly about being upset. It's just before he was also a great player.

But seriously, if Peja Stojakovic can be a productive player for the Mavs at this point, you've got to think Brandon could be of SOME use...

Peja, before his injuries, was one of the greatest pure shooters in basketball history.

That is something you can build off of, as most teams really like to have a long distance shooting specialist they can bring off the bench to space the floor and bust zones.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Dear Roybe,

Your team is down 0-2 to a team they had a legit chance to beat. Could you spare a few minutes to think about something besides yourself? If not, could you at least have the decency to not whine while cashing that huge paycheck. Thanks so much.

 

[Duckhook]

Peja, before his injuries, was one of the greatest pure shooters in basketball history.

That is something you can build off of, as most teams really like to have a long distance shooting specialist they can bring off the bench to space the floor and bust zones.

At this point Roy's shot has been non-existent. He's been airballing midrange jumpers. The ISO Nate runs for Roy is being guarded with 1 defender. No longer are teams double-teaming Roy at the top of the key to get the ball out of his hands. Defenders are sagging even more with the ball in Roy's hands. You can tell Roy is not confortable as he's trying to make moves his body won't allow him to make anymore - leading to a dribble turnover and a fastbreak dunk most of the time since he turns it over so far above the key.

I agree Rudy needs to be the first off the bench at the 2 position. I'd even start Batum to get some offensive flow and bring Rudy in to hit some 3s (hopefully). Roy is not even a decoy anymore off the bench as Dallas is not gameplanning around him. I'm also shocked Roy feels "hurt" about not playing. Has he not watched film of himself these past 6 weeks?

 

[blazedanugz]

Roy came back and never got his stating job back...he had some nice games off the bench including a game vs. dallas that he WON for us....Roy has ALWAYS been a guy who needed minutes to get into a rhythm i dont know if you guys have forgotten about the last 3 years. He never got to have his starting job back which most players always get back if they lose it because of injury. he continues to come off the bench playing about 15 to 20 minutes a game all in spurts which doesnt allow him to get into the flow of the game. he doesnt play well in spurts of playing time as we can all see and there is an easy out for all of you "fans" and its his knees which he says dont even bother him. THIS IS A MENTAL THING. Roy is not airballing because of his knees...HE HAS LIFT on his jumper dont even try to tell me otherwise because its right there everytime he takes a shot. he has no confidence right now...Roy didnt miss those two free throws because of his knees...he has no confidence. O AND BY THE WAY....for all you "fans" who ripped on mcmillan for playin roy too much in the 4th quarter of game one....that 4th quarter looked a hell of a lot better then game 2's 4th quarter didnt it?? and lets count how many times roy drives and kicks and how many times people miss shots?

 

[MadeFromDust]

Maybe if Roy didn't stink up the court every time he played it would be different. Really that simple.

 

[blazedanugz]

"He's so dangerous," Terry said. "We definitely don't want to get him going."

hes not talking about wes mathews..