Should Brandon Roy start at PG?

by bforsythe on Nov 23, 2009 6:26 PM PST

First of all let me tell you how much I love Brandon Roy and how completely ecstatic I am that he is a Portland Trailblazer. I believe that he is one of the three best overall players in the league today and is fast on his way to becoming the type of player who automatically gets any team he is on thinking about championships. I believe Brandon's skills and psychological make-up make him the type of all-star who transcends the traditional positions. I also believe that if he needs the ball in his hands to be successful then we need to put it in his hands. He needs to be our starting point guard.

Brandon has made it clear through recent statements to the press that he wants the ball in his hands. He did not feel comfortable deferring to Andre Miller, who is a great point guard. I think it's fine to give Brandon control of the ball and let him control the flow of the game. I think he'll do great - he always has. But if he is going to be that guy, if he is not going to be able to be comfortable playing with a traditional skilled point guard, then I would ask him to do one thing: Be the starting point guard.

"This team is going to go off my pulse." Brandon Roy, The Oregonian 11/21/09

He wants the ball. He wants to control the flow. He wants to get his teammates involved. What it really sounds like to me is that he wants to be the point guard. Now, I realize talking about Brandon as our starting PG around Bedge is nothing new. But since we acquired Andre Miller it has been almost non-existent. From what I remember, the main concern then was burning too much energy guarding quicker opposing point guards. We have also heard Brandon complain about not wanting to guard stronger small forwards either. To that, I would have to challenge Roy: C'mon guy, man up. Superstars don't worry about who they're guarding, they make the opposition worry about them.

I say do it. Start Brandon at the "one". Seeing as we have a talented two-guard in Rudy Fernandez sitting on the bench, it almost seems like a no-brainer. Rudy could handle the ball a little as well, letting Brandon roam free once in a while. Doing this could also free us up for a big trade for a better (maybe all-star quality) small forward utilizing Andre Miller (as much as I'd hate to lose him). He is a great player with plenty left in the tank whose sweet contract means little risk for whomever takes him. What do you think, Bedgeland? Would you like to see a starting back-court of Roy and Rudy? A little R&R? Could we then turn around and make a sick trade? If so, who would you trade and for whom? What would your line-up look like?

Poll

Should Brandon start at PG?

Yes. He needs the ball in his hands to be an all-star so let's make it official and free up playing time for others.

42 votes

No. It would negate why he is able to be an all-star and would cost us W's.

55 votes

97 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I have been waffling on this isssue

Can he guard an opposing PG (can he get quick enough)?

Can he push the pace a little more (I don’t think he can initiate the offense with his typical jog up the floor)?

I wonder about these issues. But then again, I think it’s reasonable to wonder if performing these things would be easier than the questions being asked of him now at the SG position:

Can he learn to work without the ball?

Can he set screens for other people?

And there are some questions that are pertinent to either position?

Defense?

Fast break?

I used to think that we could use a speedy PG to bring the ball up the floor, probe for quick baskets, and if none then turn it over to Roy (or deep post). This is essentially what’s happning anow and it’s kind of working.

But it might be worth the try of Roy at PG (though THEN what is to be done with Miller and Blake? TWO PGs on the bench?!?!?!?). It isn’t any more silly than trying the 3-guard lineup. (And actually, I’m one of those who was kind of thinking that lineup sort of worked.)

Buck Williams for the hall of fame

by Phizbin on Nov 23, 2009 6:45 PM PST reply actions

I agree.

And the three guard line-up did work. 7-2 overall (4-1 on the road).

....formerly GonzoFan. Now, this has been a message from "The People's Alliance to Continue to Encourage Greg Oden on his Path to Dominance"

by bforsythe on Nov 23, 2009 6:51 PM PST up reply actions

this would be a terrible idea.

I’ve got no problem with BRoy running the point down the stretch of the 4th quarter, assuming whoever is playing the 2 on offense can adequately guard the opposing point.

That said, Brandon starting and playing a lot of minutes at the point would be horrible for this team.

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Nov 23, 2009 7:02 PM PST reply actions

NO!

by lethaldose on Nov 23, 2009 9:30 PM PST reply actions

He doesn't want the job

there’s a big difference between running ISOs at the end of the game and running the offense for 35+ minutes and defending opposing PGs, every night

Roy is not a starting PG or SF, he’s an all-star SG. There’s no point in trying to make him into something that he has no interest in becoming

I thought Brandon and Andre had some good minutes together out there on the court, tonight, and Rudy can contribute coming off the bench, as long as Roy is willing to play some “SF” for parts of the game

The biggest concern (for me) tonight was Luol Deng, Portand has no one who can defend those physical 6’9 SFs (Melo, etc) This afternoon Jason Quick said they’re going to be inquiring about a trade for a 4-3 forward. As good as Cunningham looked tonight, the team is built to win now, and not to wait around for Dante to develop or Batum to get healthy.

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 23, 2009 9:45 PM PST reply actions

Batum should be ready in time for the stretch run

i’ve got no issue with making a move for a 4-3 forward, so long as we aren’t giving away some of our future to do it. It would be incredibly shortsighted to move a Rudy or Batum (and probably even a Bayless) for a backup 4-3 who can help this year and then be a 15 mpg backup when Batum is back in action and continuing his ascension next season. Though I guess it depends on who we are talking about.

Now, if we can get that kind of guy for some combination of Outlaw, Blake, the rookies, and draft picks, then that’s a different story.

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Nov 23, 2009 10:45 PM PST up reply actions

Well, you know how Nate/Roy feel about Steve

Sigh…how many different ways can I say “stop dreaming, Blake’s not going anywhere”?

KP would have to find a team that needs Outlaw’s expiring contract and has a 4-3 player with a contract they want to dump, someone making around 4-5 mil, this year. (Rudy Gay comes to mind, but he makes most Bedgers gag. Maybe Tyrus Thomas?) Ideally, I’d like a guy who’s a little bigger than Cunningham (and “beefier” than Batum) and who’s hopefully had some playoff experience. Someone who could defend the Melos, Dengs, Wallaces, Odoms and Josh Smiths of the NBA. It’s a tall order, but KP needs a “bounce-back hit” because his last few deals have been…underwhelming.

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 23, 2009 11:46 PM PST up reply actions

I don't think so...

It might surprise some people that I say this but… Andre should and undoubtedly will be the main PG… I still love Steve Blake though.

by Ilikeemall on Nov 23, 2009 9:54 PM PST reply actions

brandon roy should not start at point guard

because he is a shooting guard. kay bye.

3rd down... chainsaw noise please.

by GoBlaze22 on Nov 24, 2009 1:48 AM PST reply actions

Why this is a good idea

Loose the labels and start Brandon and Rudy as the guards, Martell at SF, LA at the PF and Oden at the C. Regardless of who controls the offense Brandon can cover the opposing SG. Rudy is quick and can keep up with the likes of Derrick Rose and is a solid shooter Brandon needs with him in the back court. Then coming off the bench you have Blake as the shooter, Bayless as the creator/defender Joel as the enforcer and Travis playing minutes at whichever forward spot is required.

Trade Andre for future first round considerations and focus on getting our guys enough minutes to get in a rythm. The best teams are always 8-9 guys deep and right now I feel like we have more talent then minutes which is a recipe for chemistry problems.

by Ted C on Nov 24, 2009 5:42 AM PST reply actions

Ugh

You’d have zero points in the paint. Brandon isn’t a great passer. So no thanks.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Nov 24, 2009 7:44 AM PST reply actions

No

The offense runs through him, but he still doesn’t set it up well.

Blake or Miller (or even Rudy) are better at bringing the ball up the court, especially as it gives the Blazers a chance to run around, screen, and try and get the defense to switch defenders and get Roy a mismatch and/or that deadly elbow jumper. There’s just a lot more activity in general, and these guys are looking first and foremost for the easiest basket on the floor, and getting the ball there.

I love Roy and I think the criticism and sniping have been way overboard, but he is a scorer and he is DEFINITELY not looking first for the easiest shot, except in that driving through 3 guys he’s looking to get to the line. You give him the ball when you want him to shoot. That doesn’t make him a ball hog (his assist rate is huge compared to similar players) it just means he’s doing his job as an All-Star shooting guard.

by matthewcc on Nov 24, 2009 8:23 AM PST reply actions

The correct answer is yes and no.

No he should not start as our point guard.
Yes he should quarterback the offense from time to time, particularly late in games.

Sometimes a player's greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team.
-- Scottie Pippen

by halo_on on Nov 24, 2009 8:54 AM PST reply actions

No

I have the same problem with this as I do Roy playing 3 against larger players.

Let’s not make him do EVERYTHING every game. Let’s have a point guard play also, to help bring the ball up the court. Let’s allow him to be great on the offensive end and limit his requirements at the other end of the floor. – Elgin

Travis Outlaw, the Funnel Cake of the Blazers

by 22baylor on Nov 24, 2009 9:57 AM PST reply actions

We´re thinner at SG and SF than at PG (Blake, Miller, Bayless).

We could play a PG at SG, but do we really want it?

We´d play slower with Roy at PG, in defense and in offense, and Roy wouldn´t be able to save as much energy as he might playing besides a PG.

by amlmart1 on Nov 24, 2009 10:39 AM PST reply actions

I say try it. See if it works. He would be a match up nightmare.

by dario argento on Nov 24, 2009 9:09 PM PST reply actions

Roy does not have the lateral quickness to keep up with even the middle-tier point guards in the league, and he’d get flat-out torched by anyone quicker. In a division with Deron Williams and a crop of speedsters like Ty Lawson and Jonny Flynn, this could be a disaster over 82 games.

When you have a player of Roy’s caliber you don’t squeeze him into roster spots that don’t fit his strengths, you tweak the roster to build around him.

"I take the little gummy bear Flintstones vitamins…I try not to eat the lady. I try not to eat the man. Just give me the car. I try to find the car. Yea, worst case scenario, I eat the lady." - Ron Artest, 2009

by rivetz on Nov 30, 2009 7:37 AM PST reply actions