Roy should shut it down

[Mediocre Man]

I see no reason at all for him to play in the playoffs. It's not like he would be the difference of us winning a title or not. If Brandon plays we might have a better chance of getting out of the first round, but even that is debatable.


I would much rather have a healthy Roy to start the 10-11' campaign

 

[THE HCP]

I think I agree.

 

[RR7]

I thought I read he was told he can't make the injury any worse, and is already planning surgery for the offseason. I don't wan thim out there if he can't be effective, but if he, and the team, feel he can be effective, and there is no risk of further aggravation, I say throw him out there.

 

[mook]

It's all about risk. If there's a decent chance he'll further injure himself, then I agree.

However, the whole point of the NBA is to get as far as you can in the playoffs. Even if it just means losing in 7 games instead of 5 in the first round. You have to put the best team you can afford to out there. The Blazers owe it to the fans and the advertisers. That's part of the deal when you sign an $80 mil contract.

So if the risk is pretty small he'll injure it further, he should go out there and play, even if he's only at 60%. Because Roy at 60% is still better than 100% of anything else we have at shooting guard.

 

[THE HCP]

I don't think this team "owes" us anything, after what they have gone thru this year. They have played their asses off for us.

 

[hasoos]

It's all about risk. If there's a decent chance he'll further injure himself, then I agree.

However, the whole point of the NBA is to get as far as you can in the playoffs. Even if it just means losing in 7 games instead of 5 in the first round. You have to put the best team you can afford to out there. The Blazers owe it to the fans and the advertisers. That's part of the deal when you sign an $80 mil contract.

So if the risk is pretty small he'll injure it further, he should go out there and play, even if he's only at 60%. Because Roy at 60% is still better than 100% of anything else we have at shooting guard.

No you are missing a point. Its not just about him injuring himself. It's about him being productive and not a liability out there. If he can, great, more power to him. But if it was like earlier this year with his hamstring, then forget it. I know the kid has a big heart. But sometimes the right thing to do, is to sit down and let your team mates play.

 

[mook]

I don't think this team "owes" us anything, after what they have gone thru this year. They have played their asses off for us.

Sure they played their asses off. And a lot of people paid obscene amounts of money to watch them do it. It's a perfectly fair trade (hell, it's a bargain for the fans in the modern NBA).

But it's not like they cured cancer without any compensation or something. They still owe the fans the best team they can put out there in the playoffs.

 

[THE HCP]

Sure they played their asses off. And a lot of people paid obscene amounts of money to watch them do it. It's a perfectly fair trade (hell, it's a bargain for the fans in the modern NBA).

But it's not like they cured cancer without any compensation or something. They still owe the fans the best team they can put out there in the playoffs.

Is it obscene if you can afford it? Always wondered.

 

[blue32]

What I pay comcast to watch the Blazers is obscene, but I sacrifice for the team. Now hopefully they can sacrifice for us! Of course, I am not so sure putting Roy out there is the right thing to do. )

 

[Stevenson]

Willis Reed, baby!

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Willis Reed, baby!

Speaking of, I was talking with my fiancee this morning, and she had a good idea: have Roy not play Game 1 on the road, and make his first game Game 2 at home. Big emotional entrance, ride the high of being at home, and get a win, even if he only plays 10 minutes.

I kind of like the idea of him only playing home games until Game 7 (or until our opponent has 3 wins) to give him more rest.

 

[e_blazer]

Seems like this would be a decision that would be best made by Roy, his doctors and the Blazers' coaching staff. But if message board opinions mean anything, put me down in the category of "I don't have a clue because I don't have any firsthand knowledge of the injury other than what I've read in the papers or how well Brandon can play with it."

 

[Draco]

He has plenty of time to recuperate in the offseason.

The main reason I want him to consider having surgery right away is if they think theres a chance he could return in ~4weeks if we somehow advanced to the WCF. It's extremely unlikely, but if we play the Suns and Dallas I think we would have a chance even if it's only 15%. A reasonable healthy Roy at that time would be more valuable then a hobbled Roy at the present.

 

[HailBlazers]

BOOOOO to all of you!

I have first hand knowledge with this injury, and it's very common. The doctors said he cannot do further damage to it, therefore if he can play to a satisfactory level regardless of pain he should play!

 

[HailBlazers]

I see no reason at all for him to play in the playoffs.

Um, how about so he can score and so we can win games!?! What a mediocre thought.

 

[Kaydow]

I think I agree.

As much as it pains me to say it, I think I agree too. You need to look no further than Grant Hill to see what can happen when a guy tries to nut up/play hurt in the post season. You can make a strong argument that Hill trying to play on that bad ankle in the 2000 playoffs devastated his career. In the following 3 seasons he played 4, 14, & 29 games largely because of that jacked up ankle.

They probably told him it wouldn't get "any worse" if he played on it - the same thing people are telling Brandon. We have too much money wrapped up in Brandon to not have him around and healthy for years to come. It sucks. It's hard to remember a superstar for any team getting hurt 2 GAMES before the playoffs! But it happened. We just have to chalk this years post season up to a learning experience for our young guys (especially Lamarcus and Batum) And, we have another consecutive year playoff streak underway. Other than that - it's a 1st Round KO and see 'ya next year.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I think I'd lean towards him not playing. It seems if he had the surgery now, he would have time in the offseason both for his family and to get into some kind of program (Tim Grover facility?) that might build up his leg strength and possibly avoid this problem in the future. I don't really know enough physiology to know if that's possible though.

 

[GoBlazersGo]

Is it obscene if you can afford it? Always wondered.

As far as I know, there's absolutely nothing obscene about having "too many hookers in one hot-tub"... so long as you can afford 'em!

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

As much as it pains me to say it, I think I agree too. You need to look no further than Grant Hill to see what can happen when a guy tries to nut up/play hurt in the post season. You can make a strong argument that Hill trying to play on that bad ankle in the 2000 playoffs devastated his career. In the following 3 seasons he played 4, 14, & 29 games largely because of that jacked up ankle.

They probably told him it wouldn't get "any worse" if he played on it - the same thing people are telling Brandon. We have too much money wrapped up in Brandon to not have him around and healthy for years to come. It sucks. It's hard to remember a superstar for any team getting hurt 2 GAMES before the playoffs! But it happened. We just have to chalk this years post season up to a learning experience for our young guys (especially Lamarcus and Batum) And, we have another consecutive year playoff streak underway. Other than that - it's a 1st Round KO and see 'ya next year.

What he said!
I think there is too big of a risk that he'll mess up other parts of his knee by playing. Am I crazy to think that his knee wont be as strong with part of it torn?

 

[dpc]

Speaking of, I was talking with my fiancee this morning, and she had a good idea: have Roy not play Game 1 on the road, and make his first game Game 2 at home. Big emotional entrance, ride the high of being at home, and get a win, even if he only plays 10 minutes.

I kind of like the idea of him only playing home games until Game 7 (or until our opponent has 3 wins) to give him more rest.

Game 2 would still be away.

 

[THE HCP]

As far as I know, there's absolutely nothing obscene about having "too many hookers in one hot-tub"... so long as you can afford 'em!

That reminds me of a story of me and BeerBoy's wife and sister, a case of Boone's and the Scorpion's greatest hits playing in the background................

 

[GoBlazersGo]

That reminds me of a story of me and BeerBoy's wife and sister, a case of Boone's and the Scorpion's greatest hits playing in the background................

Oh, hell yeah... I have doubles of "World Wide Live," on vinyl, for occasions JUST like that!

"I'm STILL lovin' yoooooooouuuuuu!"

[video=youtube;_WtkuSZoBKk]

 

[PtldPlatypus]

What he said!
I think there is too big of a risk that he'll mess up other parts of his knee by playing. Am I crazy to think that his knee wont be as strong with part of it torn?

Let's not also ignore the possibility of damaging other parts (hip, ankle, other knee) because he is moving unnaturally and/or trying to compensate for the knee pain. With $80M wrapped up in the guy, I think you can't be too careful.

I like BC's fiancee's idea. Let him stay in Portland and rest until game 3, and if he's up to playing then, bring him out. I'm thinking you don't even start him--bring him off the bench mid-first quarter.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Game 2 would still be away.

My bad, kid. Game 3 then.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Game 2 would still be away.

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Or a minor factual error.

BTW--shows how wise Nate is. He's constantly overlooking the offense.

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

I think even if Roy can play decent D and just be a spot up shooter playing bench type mins would help a lot. I am not asking for him to drive the lane and risk further injury but if he can still move enough to be like a 3 point shooter, then why not? It would be someone a defense would have to honor.

Also, what about just playing him at home? or playing him every other game starting like game 2?

 

[Nikolokolus]

There's no reason for him to risk long term injury for what doesn't appear to be a championship run. My hopes aren't especially high for this team without him, but their not much higher any way with him busted up and hobbling around at 60%.

In any case this could be a great lesson for this team in how to play without a star ... I don't expect them to advance, but if LMA can really step up his game and shoulder the load and maybe Nic steps up and shows more on offense it could do wonders for their confidence going into next season. And let's face it, I'm sure management would like to see how Bayless and Rudy respond in a big moment with an increased role -- they've got some decisions to make on them this off-season.

 

[RoyToy]

If it's true he can't damage it any more and can play through the pain, go for it. Didn't kill your body all year just to sit out when it really matters the most.

Of course if he can't handle the pain, be smart about it. Maybe sit him the first two games of the series and bring him in at home.

It just really depends on how Roy feels.

 

[handiman]

Is anyone else concerned by: a) the Blazer doc's track record of pinpointing the severity of injuries, and b) Roy's history of 4 miniscus tears being overlooked in whether he can make it worse by playing on it? He seems to have an extreme propensity for that particular injury.

 

[HailBlazers]

I think there is too big of a risk that he'll mess up other parts of his knee by playing. Am I crazy to think that his knee wont be as strong with part of it torn?

Yes, you shouldn't always trust your thoughts. The meniscus is simply a shock absorber in the knee thats not connected to anything else. Your not crazy your just ignorant about the injury, the risk is tiny and the doctors have already said so.

b) Roy's history of 4 miniscus tears being overlooked in whether he can make it worse by playing on it? He seems to have an extreme propensity for that particular injury.

It's the most common knee injury. Besides pain and swelling it doesn't really effect the function of your knee. It's true he cannot make it worse, once its torn its torn.

If it's true he can't damage it any more and can play through the pain, go for it. Didn't kill your body all year just to sit out when it really matters the most.

Exactly.