Roy... SG or SF

[magnifier661]

I think at 6'5" and 205 he is too small to play the position consistantly and would hate to see him there for longer stretches of the game.

I thought he was 6'6"? I know it's an inch, but honestly, I think even being 6'8" doesn't really matter. a couple of inches aren't that important for a SF IMO.

 

[magnifier661]

Regarding Rudy, it's the type of problem that will work itself out organically. Either he will develop into the kind of player who's forcing the team to play him starter minutes (30-35) in order to have a better chance to win games or he won't.

If he does, then he's got the minutes and role he wants, even if he's not starting. If he doesn't, how valuable is a player who hasn't clearly distinguished himself as a guy who the team needs to play big minutes after four seasons? It won't be agonizing to lose him if he's merely a good role-player. Good role-players matter, but they are transitory parts of the team...you rarely have a role-player with a ten year career for a single team.

It's hard to contrive a situation where the team really needs to play him big minutes to have a better chance to win, but doesn't. Therefore, it's hard to contrive a situation where he's both the essential to the team and unwilling to stay.

Very valid point. I will concur on the issue regarding Fernandez.

 

[Masbee]

Regarding Rudy, it's the type of problem that will work itself out organically. Either he will develop into the kind of player who's forcing the team to play him starter minutes (30-35) in order to have a better chance to win games or he won't.

If he does, then he's got the minutes and role he wants, even if he's not starting. If he doesn't, how valuable is a player who hasn't clearly distinguished himself as a guy who the team needs to play big minutes after four seasons? It won't be agonizing to lose him if he's merely a good role-player. Good role-players matter, but they are transitory parts of the team...you rarely have a role-player with a ten year career for a single team.

It's hard to contrive a situation where the team really needs to play him big minutes to have a better chance to win, but doesn't. Therefore, it's hard to contrive a situation where he's both the essential to the team and unwilling to stay.

Yep.

Right now I see (as most of the world does) as the team "core" being Roy, Aldridge and Oden.

Right behind them are Rudy and Batum.

Miller is 33, and so relatively short term.

Blake and Joel are great role players. But limited enough in game and upside that you can't consider them core.

Webster and Travis I don't see as core. Bayless and the rest haven't proven to be valuable yet.

So, if Batum continues to develop and improve - especially if he is an excellent defender, he slides in perfectly as a fringe core player in the starting lineup.

If Rudy continues to develop and improve - then we may have an issue.

Either Rudy is satisfied with a 6th man role; in which case the replacement for Miller is not critical - just get the best MLE free agent you can.

Or he develops into a "lead" guard that could start, or Roy develops into a "lead" guard that could start; in which case Miller is replaced with a backup caliber PG.

Roy or Rudy as full-time PG does not seem likely to me, so Rudy is happy as 6th man, or we trade him for a true PG. I hope Rudy does turn out to be Reggie Miller lite, and I hope he likes his 6th man role, as lots of really good teams have had a great player coming off the bench. It is a fantastic luxury to have.

 

[THE HCP]

If Antawn Jamison can be the Wizards starting center last night BRoy can play the 3!

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I thought he was 6'6"? I know it's an inch, but honestly, I think even being 6'8" doesn't really matter. a couple of inches aren't that important for a SF IMO.

He's probably strong enough to handle bigger, stronger threes and maybe even for longer periods of time. I think after a while it take a toll on his body.

And you're right. Roy is 6'6". According to his bio on blazers.com

 

[STOMP]

I think at 6'5" and 205 he is too small to play the position consistantly and would hate to see him there for longer stretches of the game.

Josh Howard came into the league as an older 4 years of college rookie just like Brandon. Comparing their respective predrafts, Josh measured the same height (6'5.25 barefoot), 5 pounds less (202 lbs), but with a bigger wingspan (8'9.5 to 8'5 standing reach). Somehow he has been a starting 3 in the league for the last 6 seasons even making an All Star team in 2006.

I don't see how size keeps Brandon from being effective at SF for long stretches especially considering he's already proven he can be. Even by NBA standards, he is an outstanding run jump athlete. I don't see how size keeps him from being an effective PG either... hell, I've previously posted my hopes of seeing Brandon Rudy and Batum teamed for stretches at the 1, 2 & 3 spots this season. That looks like a vicious combination of skills and size to me.

If the real question is whether those three can coexist and thrive together in their careers, my opinion is a definite yes.

STOMP

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Josh Howard came into the league as an older 4 years of college rookie just like Brandon. Comparing their respective predrafts, Josh measured the same height (6'5.25 barefoot), 5 pounds less (202 lbs), but with a bigger wingspan (8'9.5 to 8'5 standing reach). Somehow he has been a starting 3 in the league for the last 6 seasons even making an All Star team in 2006.

I don't see how size keeps Brandon from being effective at SF for long stretches especially considering he's already proven he can be. Even by NBA standards, he is an outstanding run jump athlete. I don't see how size keeps him from being an effective PG either... hell, I've previously posted my hopes of seeing Brandon Rudy and Batum teamed for stretches at the 1, 2 & 3 spots this season. That looks like a vicious combination of skills and size to me.

If the real question is whether those three can coexist and thrive together in their careers, my opinion is a definite yes.

STOMP

How much defense has he and the mavs played though? I'm thinking more of the defense aspect of it. I think it could take a toll on his body after a while.

And then maybe not.

 

[andalusian]

If Antawn Jamison can be the Wizards starting center last night BRoy can play the 3!

Here we come, 19 win season

Honestly, I think that if Rudy proves he can not be left on the bench - you play Roy at SF - until this happens, Roy should spend most of his time at the 2.

 

[STOMP]

How much defense has he and the mavs played though? I'm thinking more of the defense aspect of it. I think it could take a toll on his body after a while.

And then maybe not.

I take it you haven't watched him much... JH has been their defensive wing stopper matched up on the opponents toughest 2 or 3 for years now. I would guess that most observers would say he is a strong defender.

STOMP

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I take it you haven't watched him much... JH has been their defensive wing stopper matched up on the opponents toughest 2 or 3 for years now. I would guess that most observers would say he is a strong defender.

STOMP

Ok.

No, I had no idea he was their defensive stopper. I just think in this system or in any system that pushes defense, he will have his wear and tear. Mentally and physically. In particular long on going playoffs etc. Guarding bigger, stronger guys will have it's toll.

 

[magnifier661]

I just don't see why anyone would seriously think Roy isn't a very capable SF. In fact, I would suggest he is a better SF than SG, IMO. And as for "taking a toll on his body", I seriously disagree. I see so many SG using pick after pick to try and get open, while most SFs are on the wings, slashing to the bucket.

Roy has great hands and awesome footwork. I would even dare to say he would be a much better defender on a 3 than a 2. Also, fighting through picks is much easier than playing "one on one" with a wingman. And for the other SFs that people mention like LJ, Melo and Durant... I've seen Roy play defense on them in clutch situations. Remember Roy's block on Melo to win the game?

Also remember on the other end. Someone above said that other teams would use their stopper to play Roy on the defensive end. I don't buy that. Remember if you put in a Fernandez and Miller, you will have three very savvy offensive players that would exploit that. I mean who would Melo guard? Ferndandez or Miller?

<<<Added to it...>>>

Especially if you have Miller and Fernandez in that line-up. Players like Melo, LJ and any other SF for that matter would have to play on both ends of the floor. Ain't no way they can justify playing Miller or Fernandez. They would get eaten alive.
And with Roy's ability to get to the paint and make things happen, the other SFs will have their hands full, especially since they will most likely be forced to play him one on one.

Any way you look at it, either the guards or front court will have a field day. If the PF or center comes to help, Roy gives it to Aldridge or Oden to either get a easy bucket or get their bigs in some serious foul trouble. If the SG or PG comes to help, he passes out to Miller or Fernandez to force the other team into a crappy position.

 

[magnifier661]

Ok.

No, I had no idea he was their defensive stopper. I just think in this system or in any system that pushes defense, he will have his wear and tear. Mentally and physically. In particular long on going playoffs etc. Guarding bigger, stronger guys will have it's toll.

But I disagree. Seriously, I believe Roy would have a much easier time guarding a 3 than a 2. I keep bringing up the fighting through picks to stay with the 2. You are in motion almost in every possession. That will take way more of a toll than the occasional "post up" and position d you have against other bigger 3s. Also, it's much easier to help a post up, than a SG coming off a double pick. They already have a running start, so they got a jump on you.

 

[BBert]

No.

No it doesn't.

Nate likes to play small ball when the matchups warrant.

Read that again. Note the key word. Hint: Matchups.

Brandon Roy is NOT a full-time NBA Small Forward against most other team's starting small forwards.

Brandon himself seems to agree since he shed weight for this season - the exact opposite of what he would do if he were inclined to spend more and more time as a forward.

Please. Let's stop this discussion.

Exactly what I've been thinking since the beginning of this thread. Roy has a terrific PER at SF because Nate only plays him there when it gives him the advantage. Roy cannot start against the bigger, better starting SFs every game, especially at his lighter weight. The great thing is that the Blazers have tremendous versatility at nearly every position and can use that to give other teams fits. Whatever his flaws may be, Nate seems to be pretty good at working out the matchups to our advantage over the course of a game, and this roster helps him to do just that.

 

[magnifier661]

Exactly what I've been thinking since the beginning of this thread. Roy has a terrific PER at SF because Nate only plays him there when it gives him the advantage. Roy cannot start against the bigger, better starting SFs every game, especially at his lighter weight. The great thing is that the Blazers have tremendous versatility at nearly every position and can use that to give other teams fits. Whatever his flaws may be, Nate seems to be pretty good at working out the matchups to our advantage over the course of a game, and this roster helps him to do just that.

Think about it like this. Imagine having two playmakers like Miller and Roy on the floor, then asking Fernandez to just try and get open. How hard would it be defensively to try and guard 5 players on the floor? With the line-up of Miller, Rudy, Roy, Aldridge and Oden, there isn't a single hole offensively. And on the defensive end, it's pretty rock solid. Miller, Roy and Fernandez all have quick hands and read passing lanes really good. They could seriously cause some major disruption on the defensive end, especially knowing Aldridge and Oden are quick and agile enough to help defensively.

 

[LittleAlex]

I think at 6'5" and 205 he is too small to play the position consistantly and would hate to see him there for longer stretches of the game.

This.

Roy has all the skills to play SF but not the size to hang defensively with some of the guys at that position. I would be concerned about that. Portland would have to play team defense at a very high level to accomodate that size difference. A level of D they haven't played since 2000.

If Portland can play D at that high a level putting Roy at SF would certainly worth a try in my mind. Especially if it means a lineup of Miller, Rudy, Roy, LMA and Oden. That lineup can put some points in your face.