Thomsen: Roy and Aldridge Learning to Lead Through Adversity

Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen spent quite a bit of time with the Blazers last week. Here's the feature that resulted from his time in Portland...
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While this has the makings of a bad year, it may turn out to be the most important season for this group of Blazers. If they ever do win a championship several years down the line, they'll look back and realize the demands of this season taught them to play and fight harder than ever. If they don't learn how to make a stand and fight hard now, there is a good chance they never will.

We'll learn a lot more about them over the next month than we did all of last season, when most everything ran smoothly. "Since I've been in the league everything has been going great, according to plan, and we've been growing and getting better," said Roy. "This is that first bump in the road, and in order to be a championship team you have to have faced some adversity. And I'm thinking that this is it. This isn't the last stop, but this is something that we're facing to get to the level that we want to be at."
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-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

about 2 years ago Ben Golliver 16 comments 0 recs |

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A hearty UGH to firsting outside of game threads.

Nice link, Ben. I really enjoyed the article, though I thought that “If they don’t learn how to make a stand and fight hard now, there is a good chance they never will” might be a little bit melodramatic.

The article actually made me feel better about this season too. A couple of weeks ago I felt about as adrift as the Blazers looked and was wondering if falling into the lottery might be better than getting whipped in the first round by the Lakers. But that was defeatist thought brought on by the one-two whammy of Oden and Rudy going down, and Thomsen drove home the point that there is value in the journey — even if it’s not the one we had envisioned on October 27th.

"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview

by BlazersOrBust on Dec 22, 2009 9:43 AM PST reply actions

After the Phoenix game

I believe in this team again.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Dec 22, 2009 9:46 AM PST up reply actions

agreed

and seven-eighths of the two games in Florida. True grit! – Elgin

Travis Outlaw, the Funnel Cake of the Blazers

by 22baylor on Dec 22, 2009 11:40 AM PST up reply actions

Brandon FTW

When we’re in the Western conference finals, something may happen where we can say we’ve been there before, and I’ll know what I’ve got to do.

Emphasis mine. Be a prophet BR.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Dec 22, 2009 9:45 AM PST reply actions

Great quote.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 22, 2009 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

Good read..

I still think this team believe they can make it into the playoffs….and so do I. Just keep on truckin’ until someone comes back.

by jenstcy on Dec 22, 2009 9:58 AM PST reply actions

I think this team would be heartbroken

As would we all, not to make the playoffs. They still should.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Dec 22, 2009 10:03 AM PST up reply actions

I like this quote by Nate

It sorta illustrates the Catch 22 of having good character guys on your roster.

“They certainly understand it, but they’re still trying to adapt in the sense that that’s not their nature,” said McMillan, while adding that Roy and Aldridge need to be "demanding and not concerned about your feelings [as] teammates. They don’t want to look selfish. Well, you’re the best player on the team. Get the ball.

I get the paper, so I don't care!

by Name's Ash on Dec 22, 2009 10:25 AM PST reply actions

In one aspect, we have apparently turned a corner on the season

Brandon and LMA seem to be getting down to the business of playing ball. I hope the questionable quotes and team jockeying are behind us. Go Blazers!

#52

by KINGofMACct on Dec 22, 2009 11:01 AM PST reply actions

That probably won't happen until ...

KP consolidates the roster and balances out not only positions, but roles. Currently this team is way too guard heavy and really deficient up front (even when everybody is healthy) — and I don’t count rookies and over the hill vets as being part of the frontcourt’s depth.

by nikolokolus on Dec 22, 2009 12:02 PM PST up reply actions

I actually have a much more positive outlook for the season now.

I feel like we are starting to bring it. I know we may not have enough at this point, but I will enjoy the effort anyway. It will also be interesting to see what moves are made in the next year. There may be some more serious changes to be made than what we might have anticipated before.

#52

by KINGofMACct on Dec 22, 2009 4:34 PM PST up reply actions

me too!

by Natsthecat on Dec 22, 2009 11:30 AM PST reply actions

Nice to have B ROY back

This season started out kinda weird with a new PG, chemistry issues, everyone learning their role and learning to play with a emerging ODEN. Since Greg went down Brandon Roy has really gotten back to business and taken over. Most everyone else has stepped up their game as well and I hope they can continue to develop the rookies and Bayless and get Martell move involved. They have got to continue to learn to make inlet passes and get the low post game going including run a few plays for Prizbilla every now and then.
I do think we need a backup Center as every time Joel goes out we usually get in trouble.

On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09

by slim503 on Dec 22, 2009 12:16 PM PST reply actions

Brandon really does have to play Jordan/Kobe

In the sense that he’s just going to have to demand the ball when he wants it, and share it when it makes sense. If he does that right, he can start demanding more from his teammates, getting in folks’ faces about their play, etc., ala the kobes and Jordans of the world.

BUT the key is, like the aforementioned players, he HAS to deliver when he’s in “Give me the horkin’ rock!” mode. He has to make the plays, on both sides of the ball, I might add. Otherwise, the whole lead by example mantra breaks down.

I like that he’s been getting good assists (Suns, Miama), and taking over when necessary. It goes a long way when the top dog can say, “Hey, I’m more than taking care of my biz, so when I do give it up, you better be ready, you better focused and you better take care of yours, or we’re going to be talking about some remedial wall to wall counseling on the flaws in your game.”

None of this is groundbreaking philosophy, but it does requires (as covered in the article) a little more viscious brand of competitive fire than we sometimes see out of Brandon, and even more so out of LA.

To that end, no matter what else we like/don’t like about Nate, I do like the take, “You inherited this. You were the second pick, the [sixth] pick and all of that, and you signed your contracts — and all of a sudden it’s yours. Now what do you do with it?”

Lest you forget the fat contracts YOU asked for or the leadership role YOU wanted, you signed on as the CEO and CFO of players with all the fame, fortune and perks that come with it. Now let’s talk about the RESPONSIBILITIES of your post. You don’t get to take nights off, you don’t get to shrink from a single solitary important moment, and if you have a problem with other players, etc., there’s no one above you in the organizational hierarchy chart to do something about it. You’re it. If that means getting a little nastier than is your custom, so be it. Act accordingly.

by Dunemonkey on Dec 22, 2009 12:37 PM PST reply actions

One minor footnote

I do have a small pet peeve about Brandon’s approach. I wish he would tone down the “I’m just trying to lead these guys/these guys are going to react to what I’m doing” soundbites he drops in almost all of his interviews. I really do believe it’s just partly Quick’s assertion that Brandon is just to open, but come on Bro, you don’t have to repeatedly report to the media what Nate’s been drilling into your head. I could see it getting a little annoying to your teammates. You’re not the leader because you keep saying you are, you’re the leader because you lead. Stick to that.

by Dunemonkey on Dec 22, 2009 12:44 PM PST up reply actions