Roy: Undisputed Leader

[MickZagger]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/10/brandon_roy_the_portland_trail.html

Roy began a rant to his teammates about their poor attitudes and lackadaisical effort during the practice. He had been stewing throughout the two-hour workout, which came after a day off and after a thorough drubbing in Los Angeles to the Clippers. As the team went through the practice, Roy said he heard grumbling.

"Why are we going so hard?" one player complained.

"Aren't we done yet?" another huffed.

Roy remembers asking assistant coach Kaleb Canales "This is October, why is everyone in a rush to get out of here?"

Soon, Roy made up his mind. He would not tolerate this again. Not on this team. Not on his team.

"That was not a championship practice!" Roy remembers telling the team. "We can't sit here and say we want to win a championship and practice, you know, pretty good. We have to practice at a higher level. We can't keep making excuses!"

 

[Natebishop3]

That was an awesome article. Quick did a great job. I'm glad to hear that Roy isn't letting guys bicker or complain. It's very encouraging.

 

[Erroneous Subterfuge]

Over the weekend I rewatched Roy's 52 point game last year against Phoenix to get pumped up for the season. We're very lucky to have Roy. On and off the court he's a very special player.

 

[DUB]

"Why are we going so hard?" one player complained.

"Aren't we done yet?" another huffed.

Pretty disappointed that any of our players would have this kind of attitude to begin with.

There's that old mantra "you play like you practice".

 

[Natebishop3]

Pretty disappointed that any of our players would have this kind of attitude to begin with.

There's that old mantra "you play like you practice".

I'm just curious who it was.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm just curious who it was.

It'd have to be someone new to the team to think that you can take it easy during a Nate practice... maybe a rookie and a new free agent signing.

 

[alex42083]

This guy never fails to impress me. Brandon isn't just all talk and saying a title is important and blah blah. He truly wants it, and I love that he's going to be here for a long time.

 

[andalusian]

I always loved Brandon - but I think I really got to understand how much he wants it - when we lost in Utah at the end of the 13 games win streak. The team looked dead-tired. Utah was playing fantastic ball - and there was one guy that was going 100% all the time, diving after loose balls, running on defense trying to stop the fast break. And that was Roy.

From the moment on - I am not questioning him in any way or shape. People could say they would do a CP3 for Roy from here to tomorrow - I am not buying it. This guy is the real deal. If Brandon wants to have Zach Randolph as the starting point guard, I am buying it, if he thinks Mediocre Man should be the coach - I am on board, if he tells us that David Coulthard is the new starting SF - I am endorsing it...

 

[Shooter]

You gotta love this story. When the coach and the best player on a team are on the same page, everybody else has to get onboard--or hit the road.

We're so lucky to have Roy in Portland.

 

[PapaG]

Pretty disappointed that any of our players would have this kind of attitude to begin with.

There's that old mantra "you play like you practice".

I blame Andre Miller. Just saying...

 

[PtldPlatypus]

From the moment on - I am not questioning him in any way or shape. People could say they would do a CP3 for Roy from here to tomorrow - I am not buying it. This guy is the real deal. If Brandon wants to have Zach Randolph as the starting point guard, I am buying it, if he thinks Mediocre Man should be the coach - I am on board, if he tells us that David Coulthard is the new starting SF - I am endorsing it...

What if Roy wanted to get rid of KP? Is that like a reprise of the irresistable force/immovable object connundrum?

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

What if Roy wanted to get rid of KP? Is that like a reprise of the irresistable force/immovable object connundrum?

Nah, that would be if Roy wanted to get rid of Allen.

Gramps...

 

[MARIS61]

Pretty disappointed that any of our players would have this kind of attitude to begin with.

With Sergio went a piece of the team's heart.

 

[Entity]

What if Roy wanted to get rid of KP? Is that like a reprise of the irresistable force/immovable object connundrum?

Nah, but I bet KP would certainly take his input.

 

[KingSpeed]

I wonder who was "cheating" at practice.

 

[crandc]

I'm reminded of the team previews on NBA TV. They interviewed Roy extensively and he said that the best players are always the hardest workers. He has to work hard because he knows Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are and he can't get tired because they don't. Seems like he expects exactly the same attitude from the team.

I am also reminded of Jordan who did not hesitate to call out when need be.

You Go Roy.

 

[LittleAlex]

I have a total man-crush on Roy. I loved him in college. I bought season tickets the day after they drafted him. He has done even better then I thought he would.

I tend to get a bit choked up at times when he announced to start the games.

He is the only Blazer I hope I never meet in person. I would just jump around like a giddy school girl which I wouldn't ever live down.

 

[RR7]

I have a total man-crush on Roy. I loved him in college. I bought season tickets the day after they drafted him. He has done even better then I thought he would.

I tend to get a bit choked up at times when he announced to start the games.

He is the only Blazer I hope I never meet in person. I would just jump around like a giddy school girl which I wouldn't ever live down.

I bought my season tickets the day after we drafted him as well. I knew he was going to be the best player from that draft. Knew he should have went #1, and felt pretty strongly about him becoming the superstar he is becoming, not peaking after year 1 or 2. I bought the tickets wanting to be able to see him grow as a superstar.

 

[maxiep]

Pretty disappointed that any of our players would have this kind of attitude to begin with.

There's that old mantra "you play like you practice".

Get out of my head! That's exactly what I was thinking, too.

 

[maxiep]

With Sergio went a piece of the team's heart.

I agree. Fortunately, that piece of the team's heart was the plaque lining our defensive aorta.

 

[BlazersBlood]

Great article. We are very lucky we got Brandon. We have KP to thank for the wheeling and dealing on draft night.

Nate is not going anywhere as long as we make the playoffs every year. Brandon loves him like a big brother.

 

[RR7]

What else I liked is the connection between Roy and Nate. I know some hate Nate, and don't like that portion. I feel like I have read a lot this offseason about the potential of our team tuning out Nate soon. I think as long as Roy is like he is, then that will mena those players are tuning Roy out as well.