J. Quick piece shedding light on the "feeling like a rookie" Roy comments:

Experiments can be uncomfortable if one is the Guinea Pig...

about 1 month ago G_dubs 32 comments 1 recs |

Comments

While Roy is the man on the team

he also needs to learn to play outside of his normal roles. He needs to learn to play off the ball more often to allow others to get into a rhythm, Andre is a very consistent player but without touches he becomes useless. Oden also received few entry passes last year from Roy, this may well have been to do with confidence and while we have all seen Greg’s improvements it will only take a mistake or two to breaks a guard’s trust in his big man. Last year there were visible problems with Rudy not getting touches outside of spot up threes which hindered his development as a player and again, while there were issues with his dribble, strength and athleticism it damaged the learning process for Rudy.

I don’t want him to concede everything to other players however there is a balance to find between Offensive Roy and team touches. Maybe if he focuses less on playing offensive wonderkid he could address that extremely suspect defense which for me is what stops me considering him in the top echelon of players.

I could have sacrificed goin' out
To think my homies who did it, I used to joke about
From now on I'ma use self control instead of birth control
Cause $315 ain't worth your soul
$315 ain't worth your soul
$315 ain't worth it

by The Pirate on Oct 11, 2009 6:51 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

That's the spirit Mr. The Pirate!

Wheeeeeeee!!!!

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Oct 11, 2009 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm so confused I don't know whether to drink rum or ravage women.

by The Pirate on Oct 11, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Drinking rum is probably safer all around.

"Aneurysm".

When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie

by annthefan on Oct 11, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I need my liver, I can trade that for a boat when I'm usurped.

by The Pirate on Oct 11, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I usually go for broke

and do both

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Oct 11, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's why God gave you two hands

by xedubx on Oct 12, 2009 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops, I mean hand and a hook

by xedubx on Oct 12, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep and yep.

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Oct 12, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I respect you calling out [Future HoF'r] Roy...on this blog...

I know you mean it in the sense of" there’s always room for improvement"…still no one has flamed you yet…

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Oct 11, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is exactly the way I take it, the man is simply special on a basketball court but it doesn't mean we can't find things he needs to improve.

People call out Kobe and LeBron all the time, our special little wing man is no different.

by The Pirate on Oct 11, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Touche'!

I mean “ARRRRGH!”

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Oct 11, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So...

Letting Oden have the ball is a problem? I found this article a little bit unsettling. Anyone else?

by LewisClark on Oct 11, 2009 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

I don’t think Brandon and LMA’s intent was to act like they want to play “keep away” with the ball with the other 3 players on the court wearing Blazer jerseys, but I could see how their comments could be construed that way

Chemistry is a touchy thing. Nate said that at the end of games, stars like Magic and Kareem had the ball and others played “off” of them. Then he called Brandon “option 1” and LMA “option 2”

Roy has shown the ability to drive and score, and occasionally if he’s cut off on his way to the basket, he’ll kick the ball to an open shooter (usually Blake or Travis, in the corner) What he hasn’t exhibited (yet) is the vision to find Oden, either with post-entry or lob passes.

As much as Greg says "I’m just going to focus on playing defense and rebounding, it’s still important to make sure Oden “gets some touches” especially when he has a smaller defender sealed off, or if he has an opportunity at a lob dunk.

High percentage shots, isn’t that what Portland needs more of?

In the long run, I’m not sure Aldridge will be “option 2” He may be the “James Worthy” who plays off of Roy and Oden. Regardless, the point is to have more than 2 scoring options on the court—the Rockets showed everyone how Roy and LMA can be neutralized—and Miller was brought in to help Brandon and LaMarcus see those 3rd, 4th and 5th options in the team’s halfcourt sets

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 12, 2009 12:40 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

You hit the nail one the head in your final paragraph.

“In the long run, I’m not sure Aldridge will be ‘option 2’ […]”

For the Portland Trail Blazers to eventually become legitimate championship contenders, LaMarcus Aldridge must give up the shotgun spot next to the driver, Brandon Roy, and take a back seat to Greg Oden.

There’s absolutely no ifs, ands, or buts about it, either.

Stupid people have stupid ideas.

by AK1984 on Oct 12, 2009 2:00 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Speaking as a big myself

I love this answer. I’m going to say that this is what the team has to do in order to be successful, just that I love it when centers are well used in the offense. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Dude!, what's wrong with you? Why you gotta be holding a corn dog when I go for a high-five??

by 1badbadger on Oct 12, 2009 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree 100%

LMA is a solid player. But we’ve seen nothing to indicate he is a perennial All-Star, and game changer.

Oden should be.

In fact, I’d go a step forward and say this: next year, after Greg gets his big deal after his awesome upcoming season, people should begin to realize that this is Greg’s team, not BRoy’s, and that we will go as far as the big big man will take us…

Blazers: RUN away with the title!

KP: Please don't trade the next decade's Scottie Pippen (Batum), Spanish Larry Bird (Rudy), Bill Russell (GO) or Captain BRoy - at least until they 3-peat..

by Visionary2 on Oct 12, 2009 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, this is still Brandon Roy's Team

I think an effective Oden will be a great thing for this team, but it will take a lot for me to want the ball in Greg Oden hands with 7 seconds left in a 1 point game.

The problem we are facing is that Brandon is an awesome isolation player, and an amazing shooter. He is an incredible efficient player, which causes people to lose sight of just how talented he is. While Oden is the lynch pin of this team, it goes like this:

The blazers can survive/possibly do well without Oden.
Without Brandon Roy the blazers will be in a tremendous amount of trouble.

I also disagree with the statement that Aldridge has shown nothing to indicate he will be an all-star. There was tremendous improvement between the 2007-2008 season, and there was improvement between the start of the season and the end last year. Aldridge has not peaked. He may not be a Superstar, but he may very well be an all star this year.

by Anim8rguy on Oct 13, 2009 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it will take a lot for me to want the ball in Greg Oden hands with 7 seconds left in a 1 point game

Greg’s got a ways to go before he reaches that point. (Shoot, even Shaq wasn’t that kind of finisher, because he could never hit his FTs) But to this point, LMA hasn’t been “that guy” either, so if I had to choose, I’d pick the guy who’s going to take the ball hard to the rim, and perhaps draw a foul. So far that’s been Roy. Miller has that quality, as well. And Oden could get to the point where he’ll draw a double team or force the defense to foul him to prevent an easy basket…then it will be up how he shoots those pesky FTs

Portland can have more than 1 or 2 all-stars. I think we all look forward to the day when Roy, LMA and Greg are in that game every year. But for them to get to that level, they need some of the BBIQ that Andre has to offer, and not get hung up on “touches” and how ran the offense last year.

Because what they did last year wasn’t good enough to beat Houston

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 13, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good points, good converssation.

Personally, I was pleased to read about Miller and Howard being able to consistently
deliver the ball to Oden and was therefore a little perplexed by this article. I am hoping to see this recent trend of bringing the ball to the big guy continue, especially since he seems to have made some progress this summer in filling in his potential. I hope that this year doesn’t degenerate into a petty, dysfunctional mess… It wouldn’t be that difficult.

by LewisClark on Oct 12, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

This team is different from last years,

players have matured and it is loaded with talent.
I like Miller, I think he was a good addition to the team.
Roy is a great player, he has an elegant and efficient game, but I hope that he is able to play within the strengths of the team as opposed to forcing the abundance of talent he is surrounded with into something that may be less than what it could be.

by LewisClark on Oct 12, 2009 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like your

points Pirate

by LewisClark on Oct 11, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This if for Mortimer

I told you so:

“It’s weird, because when I play with (Steve) Blake, I’m used to Blake spacing and stretching the defense. Whereas with Andre, there’s gonna be somewhat of a learning curve there,’’ Roy said.
”The biggest thing Andre and I are going to have to build on is our spacing, because me and Blake had it. It was like, if I went off a screen, Blake knew where to be. (Friday) night, Andre was kind of in certain positions where he didn’t fully know our spacing. But it was also the first time we tried it. I think that’s something we are going to have to work on. Once he gets his spacing down,I will be able to make my reads better and he will be able to make his.’’

This is not an ultimate judgement of Miller and Roy playing together… they will learn and they will play together, but this is a real issue on Friday night.

by PoliSam on Oct 11, 2009 7:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

was a real issue.

by PoliSam on Oct 11, 2009 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

also, "I told you so" should be in the silly font. Just playing.

by PoliSam on Oct 11, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm telling Morty

"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles

by 92wastheyear on Oct 11, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

You did the right thing telling me, 92.

by Mortimer on Oct 12, 2009 1:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not that I said they don't need to learn to play together

But Roy was bad for reasons beyond Miller being there, if ya ask me, and it didn’t matter who he was with. He was being uncharacteristically sloppy and careless. He gets double teamed by Blake or Batum’s guy every night, this was nothing different.

Of course, he needs to learn how to do what he do without a shooter like Blake waiting for the pass, so I’m not disagreeing with that notion at all. I think Roy played bad because of Roy, though… he did it all himself.

Roy is human, and we all make excuses some times.

Because Miller is such a different player than Blake, I’ve been hoping Roy and LMA would be going full speed along with him to work out the kinks during pre-season, so I don’t like LMA coasting and I want Roy sharp like normal. It’s going to be a transition period where Roy learns to play off the ball some more (which could make his life easier) and they work on the spacing so Miller is more in a area where he CAN hit the open jumper.

Roy was bad that night, Blake was worse, and I can’t say it was for any specific reason besides they were bad. I really don’t think it was because of who they were with. Even if they specifically say “it was because of who I was with”.

Again, though, I agree it’s an issue that needs much more time to solve.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 12, 2009 1:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could be...

Right, without the benefit of a flux capacitor and a Delorean, we’ll never know how the Blazers would have played October 9th 2009 with Blake as the starting PG. Roy might have played just as poorly. But, he is equally likely to have played better, given that he would be playing with a PG he has more experience playing with.

by PoliSam on Oct 12, 2009 6:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

but the point isn't to win games on Oct 9th

at some point Miller and Roy need to be on the same page to win games down the stretch in May and (hopefully) June. And they aren’t going to get there faster by Steve Blake starting each half during the preseason

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 13, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Part of the problem is...

Roy and Aldridge are still so young.. Brandon got his contract…Lamarcus will probably get his (I hope soon…) But they aren’t at a point in their careers where they are ready to give up the shot at being an allstar or whatever, in order to win a championship. That usually doesn’t manifest itself until later. They say they want to win it all, and they do, but they only really wanna do it if they are ‘getting theirs’ so to speak.

If order to get to the finals, both of those guys scoring averages are probably going to have to drop, and the ball is going to have to be put in the hands of guys like Rudy and Martell, and Andre more often.

If this team could truly play team ball… they would be nearly unstoppable…. I just don’t think they are at that point yet.

by tmundal on Oct 12, 2009 8:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And who will get us to that point?

I agree:

If this team could truly play team ball… they would be nearly unstoppable…. I just don’t think they are at that point yet.

And how best can they learn team ball? By passing more, or by running more BRoy isos? By putting the hands of a player, a proven veteran, who makes other players better, – or a guy who likes to go 1 on 5? By somebody who demonstrated that he really has problems with the entry pass to the big man, or somebody who is “one of the all time great lob passers” ?

Pretty clear to me..

Blazers: RUN away with the title!

KP: Please don't trade the next decade's Scottie Pippen (Batum), Spanish Larry Bird (Rudy), Bill Russell (GO) or Captain BRoy - at least until they 3-peat..

by Visionary2 on Oct 12, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs