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Player-by-Player: Brandon Roy

Today we begin a series recapping all of the major players from this year’s squad.  We start with the heart and soul…Brandon Roy.

 

The Stats:

 

Minutes--  Last Year: 35.4  This Year:  37.7  Change:  +2.3

Points-- Last Year: 16.8  This Year: 19.1  Change:  +2.3

Field Goals Attempted--  Last Year: 13.4  This Year:  15.8  Change:  +2.4

Field Goal Percentage--  Last Year:  45.6%  This Year:  45.4%  Change:  -0.2

Three-Pointers Attempted--  Last Year: 2.6  This Year:  2.9  Change:  +0.3

Three-Point Percentage--  Last Year:  37.7%  This Year: 34.0%  Change:  -3.7%

Free Throws Attempted--  Last Year:  4.2  This Year:  5.0  Change:  +0.8

Free Throw Percentage-- Last Year:  83.8  This Year:  75.3  Change:  -8.5%

Offensive Rebounds-- Last Year:  1.0  This Year:  1.1  Change:  +0.1

Defensive Rebounds-- Last Year:  3.4   This Year:  3.6  Change:  +0.2

Overall Rebounds-- Last Year:  4.4  This Year:  4.7  Change:  +0.3

Assists-- Last Year:  4.0   This Year:  5.8   Change:  +1.8

Steals--  Last Year: 1.2   This Year:  1.1  Change:  -0.1

Blocks-- Last Year: 0.2  This Year:  0.2   Change:  0.0

Turnovers-- Last Year:  2.0  This Year:  1.8  Change:  -0.2

Assist-to-Turnover Ratio-- Last Year:  2.0 This Year:  3.2  Change:  +1.2

 

Salary Status:  1 year remaining at $3.1 million then a team option at $3.9 million.

 

The questions surrounding Roy at the beginning of the year were few and simple:

 

--Could he shoulder the leadership of the team which had so obviously been bestowed upon him with the Zach Randolph trade?

 

--Could he continue to produce when opposing defenses were keying on him night after night?

 

--Was his shooting for real?

 

--Could he improve his defense?

 

--Was he more naturally suited to being a shooting guard or point guard?

 

The first two questions were answered resoundingly.  Not only did he assume leadership of the team on and off the floor, he flourished in that role.  He led the team to better basketball and a better record than we’ve seen since the Wallace years.  His production improved overall.  He didn’t just score more, like a Kevin Martin in Sacramento, he literally lifted this team on his back and carried it offensively…directing traffic, making plays for other guys, and creating opportunities for them to score by his mere threat.  He didn’t dominate the floor consistently, but he did it enough that you have to call him a star in this league already.  If he can learn to do it every night he will become a near-superstar.  There is still no comparison between him and any other Blazer, stats be damned.

 

The shooting question was basically answered as well, with a couple of caveats.  Roy proved that he could hit shots either when open or when he really needed to.  He would go on runs where he was near unstoppable, even from the perimeter.  However his three-point percentage tumbled.  Part of this is because he handled the ball so much.  Unless you’re a Tracy McGrady-like freak it’s hard to set up your own three-pointer as the primary option.  You’re either guarded or you can get a better shot than a 23-footer.  Last season when he was a secondary option to Zach he had better looks from distance.  Still he will need to keep the threat of the long ball alive in order to preserve his diverse scoring ability.  The more mysterious drop, however, was the 8.5 percentage points lost from the free throw line.  This may be partially due to fatigue, but you have to believe some of it is either mental or plain old incaution.  As he matures into a regularly-recognized star this will become an increasing source of easy points for Brandon and the team.  He is capable of shooting at least 78-80%.  It’s an area to work on.

 

It’s hard to point to a specific improvement in Brandon’s individual defense.  The entire backcourt is lacking in this area and he’s no exception.  However it’s fair to say that the team as a whole did a much better job this year channeling players into areas where the big men could rotate and cover.  It’s also fair to say we did a much better job getting back in transition this year than we have in years past.  Brandon was part of both.  This continues to be an important area for him to address, though.

 

We got a partial answer to the "Is he a point guard?" question as well…namely:  partially.  I’m not sure Brandon or the team would be comfortable with him being the designated point alongside a non-playmaking two-guard.  In particular I don’t think they want him bringing the ball up the floor.  However in key possessions, indeed throughout much of the fourth quarter, the Blazers’ backcourt blends its distinguishing labels.  Brandon has the ball in his hands making the plays and whoever is back there with him becomes a default scorer.  That’s certain to continue through the near future at least.  Perhaps the best answer to the question overall is "When he needs to be."

 

With more minutes, more points, more assists, the scoffing at defenders whose number one priority was to stop him,  the All-Star berth, and being the number one option (and heart) of a team that made an exponential leap from the season before, it’s hard to find fault with Brandon’s progress.  As long as he continues to work at his craft as any young player should, those stretches of domination should become regular.  It’s hard to imagine Brandon Roy not fulfilling his potential and it’s hard to put a cap on what that potential could be in terms of leading this team to wins and glory.

 

The Verdict:

Blog_baby_medium

                                                 Extremely Happy Baby!

 

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

0 recs  |  Comment 11 comments

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memories

I remember the 06-07 season thinking that of the 3 rookies that we drafted that year…that Brandon would have the lowest ceiling. Before this season began, I honestly believed that it would have been Lma carrying the load…and he did tease Blazer fans with his incredible start.

My expectations of Brandon pre-season was that he would occasionally make the All-Star team during the peak of his career, and boy did he exceed that expectation. I don’t know if Brandon will make the AS team next year, but in 2 years I suspect he will be a perennial AS player. The question now is when will he become a superstar?

by Philthyanimal on Apr 22, 2008 1:05 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Dave, you have a huge responsibility

in raising our point guard of the future. I see he’ll be fine where confidence in himself and his abilities are concened. Good job.

"Oh my, there go the game!" Travis Outlaw

by annthefan on Apr 22, 2008 2:16 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

hmmm

Is Baby Man Child a Hawks fan?

Everytime Raef checks into a game, an angel gets its wings.

by Outlaw is Rejector on Apr 22, 2008 3:31 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I'll take the credit

Over the off season, I sent a text message to Roy.

B all U can B 4 Nate

It worked.

Man, if I told everyone, what I thought, every time I saw a baby still to young to crawl, I’d get booted off the Bedge. I love happy babies though, my though has nothing to do with the keiki.

Dave has a cute son, he’s already got that Jordan tongue thing going.

Tyler Hansbrough - Deep in the jeans he's wearing - I'm hooked and I can't stop staring.

by tominhawaii on Apr 22, 2008 5:15 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

PS

Next year, you should go Nathan Arizona and his wife like, and then give away all the extra kids, instead of jerseys.

"We need a live rooster to take the curse off Jose's glove and nobody seems to know what to get Millie or Jimmy for their wedding present."

by tominhawaii on Apr 22, 2008 6:07 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Games missed

I’m the 1st to say that I loves me some B-Roy. But the number of games that he has missed is troubling, and that is over only an 82 game season. What happens over 92 or 102 games? I want to belive, but the spectors of Walton and Bowie are too strong.

2-4 the who

by 24thewho on Apr 22, 2008 11:22 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Huh?

Brandon played in 74 games this season; at least two of the games missed were due to a death in the family. Not too many big guns play in all 82 games. Do you worry about LeBron? He played in 75 games this year.

Brandon ranked 21st (top 5%) for minutes/game, and 34th (top 7.5%) for total minutes played. Them’s respectable numbers. If anything, he proved this season that he can take a beating and still play through the pain.

by Corvid on Apr 22, 2008 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

3 point %

I think that saying that Roy’s 3pt% tumbled is a bit of an overstatement. A year to year variation of not quite 4% in 3pt percentage seems to be within the realms of luck (for lack of a better term). Even for 3 point specialists like Jason Kapono or Kyle Korver or Jeff Hornacek consistently had 3pt% that varied as much or more than Roy’s 3pt%. So don’t think there is anything to worry about with Roy’s 3 point stroke

by tingeyga on Apr 22, 2008 11:53 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Guard Hybrid requires another Guard Hybrid

I think B-Roy had a great year, and that he is one of the Blazer’s “untouchables.” My biggest concern is who will be the best complement to him at point guard/2-guard?

Much to my dismay, Nate thought Jarrett Jack was the best “hybrid” guard when B-Roy went into point guard mode (or at least controlling the ball) in the fourth quarter. And Nate might well have been right . . .

I don’t think Roy should be a full-time point guard, but neither do I think we have the right “hybrid” guard(s) to complement him. This problem may be compounded by who is the best guard for Oden? I’m not sure the best point guard for the rest of the team will be the best guard to complement Roy, and, as we have seen, Roy is likely to be on the floor about 40 minutes a game if Nate has his way (and, knock on wood, injuries are avoided ).

None of our guards, including B-Roy, are quick enough to guard quick point guards. But will we take advantage with, potentially, having our bigger hybrid guards (say Rudy or even Martell) post up or shoot over the quick point guard?

Will our other “hybrid guard” compensate for B-Roy’s relatively minor weaknesses? Again, Jarrett Jack did shoot free throws well and Blake played marginally better defense. I sure hope we see a better hybrid guard than JBS next year because Roy will be a better ‘hybrid guard” but still won’t be able to play well with a “pure” point guard or a “pure” 2-guard.

by vcubed on Apr 22, 2008 4:02 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

You Know

I still can’t get over how cute that kid is. I’m allergic to kids normally, but I’m warming to this kid.

"We need a live rooster to take the curse off Jose's glove and nobody seems to know what to get Millie or Jimmy for their wedding present."

by tominhawaii on Apr 23, 2008 2:57 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yah

He’s pretty scary in person.

—Dave

by Dave on Apr 23, 2008 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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