The Season in Review: Brandon Roy
by Dave on May 18, 2009 12:31 AM PDT
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PrintIt's fitting that we end the player rundowns with the Great One, the massively multi-talented prodigy, Mr. Blazer...Brandon Roy. Alphabetically he's the last major player on our roster. In most every other category it's the other way around. Check out his season below.
You probably don't even need the conversation rules for this thread. Come on. It's Brandon Roy.
Brandon Roy's 2008-09 stats:
|
Statistic |
2008-2009 |
2007-2008 |
Net Change |
|
Games Played |
78 |
74 |
+4 |
|
Games Started |
78 |
74 |
+4 |
|
Minutes per Game |
37.2 |
37.7 |
-0.5 |
|
Points per Game |
22.6 |
19.1 |
+3.5 |
|
FG ATT per Game |
16.9 |
15.8 |
+1.1 |
|
Field Goal% |
48.0% |
45.4% |
+2.6% |
|
3PT ATT per Game |
2.8 |
2.9 |
-0.1 |
|
Three-Point% |
37.7% |
34.0% |
+3.7% |
|
FT ATT per Game |
6.5 |
5.0 |
+1.5 |
|
Free Throw% |
82.4% |
75.3% |
+7.1% |
|
Off Rebs per Game |
1.3 |
1.1 |
+0.2 |
|
Def Rebs per Game |
3.4 |
3.6 |
-0.2 |
|
TOT Rebs per Game |
4.7 |
4.7 |
--- |
|
Assists |
5.1 |
5.8 |
-0.7 |
|
Steals |
1.1 |
1.1 |
--- |
|
Blocks |
0.3 |
0.2 |
+0.1 |
|
Turnovers |
2.0 |
1.8 |
+0.2 |
|
Personal Fouls |
1.6 |
2.0 |
-0.4 |
|
Effective FG% |
51.2% |
48.5% |
+2.7% |
|
True Shooting% |
57.3% |
53.1% |
+4.2% |
|
PER |
24.0 |
19.4 |
+4.6 |
|
Plus-Minus |
+6.47 |
+0.38 |
+6.09 |
|
Assist/Turnover Ratio |
2.55 |
3.22 |
-0.67 |
The stats show that Brandon took a more direct hand in the offense this year than last. The way his hands work, however, that's a very good thing. If you want to pick on him his assists and assist-to-turnover ratio were down. (That a/to is still better than some point guards though...) But before you do, show me the guy you want him passing to, which would also be the guy who's better at putting the ball in the basket than he is, which would be also be a guy who doesn't exist at this point.
Just look at some of those positive offensive numbers. +3.5 points per game in half a minute less playing time. 48% field goal percentage from a volume-scoring guard. Three-point percentage up close to 4%. More free throws drawn and free throw percentage up 7%. Effective field goal and True field goal percentages up. PER through the roof. What's not to like? This guy should be picking up this team and carrying it on his back offensively.
66% of Brandon's shots are jumpers, which sounds a little heavy until you consider that many of our guards are in the 80's. Taking it to the hoop and drawing fouls has become a big part of Brandon's game.
Roy's on-court/off-court metrics are lopsided enough to make Survivor's J.T. jealous. The team is up 9.3 points per 100 possessions when Brandon is on the court. Effective field goal percentage is 3.4% higher. Defensive rebounding is up by the same margin. Turnovers, turnovers caused, free throws made and attempted, and free throws allowed all slant to Portland's favor when Brandon plays versus when he sits. Even points allowed runs in his favor, though by a much smaller margin. Long story short, Portland was +505 points on the season when Brandon played, -67 when he didn't for a margin of +572 points on the year. That's over 7 points per game. Wow.
If you don't want to get that complicated, just look at his plus-minus. Last year it was anemic. This year it's spectacular. Total gain: over 6 points per game. By comparison, our point differential average was 5.3. Again, wow.
In case you missed it in the "On Criticism" thread a couple days ago, we did talk about Brandon's defense some. Clearly it's not as strong as his offense. But you have to remember his role on the team and the energy he expends fulfilling that role. When you need a layup, and and-one, a tough and contested jumper, somebody to bring the ball down the court and become an instant threat, you call on Brandon. In a perfect world he'd be able to do the same defensively. But given the choice between him taking a stab at a mediocre defensive play and him captaining the critical offensive possessions, I'll take the offense every time. If he occasionally fails to sell-out completely in a last-ditch attempt to block a layup the way a Przybilla and Batum do, I understand that. I expect his teammates, who rely on him so much on the offensive end, to go the extra mile to pick up whatever slack he leaves on the defensive end. And no, I don't say the same thing about Sergio Rodriguez or Jerryd Bayless or Travis or Martell. Their roles are different. Their contributions are different. As I said in the other thread, I'm fairly confident that there's far more talk about surrounding Brandon with better defenders than there is about making Brandon himself a better defender.
Put together the whole package--the 22-5-5 average, the leadership, the huge winning percentage, the continuing improvement, the ball-handling ability, the clutch shooting, the occasional dinosaur roar--and you'll find Brandon is about as complete and amazing of a player as you could dream about for this team. To retain my credibility with non-Blazer folks I will admit that I do not place him with Kobe and LeBron at this point. But shave those guys off and you'd be hard-pressed to find a player who's clearly better all-around. You're down to just a few fellow guards who are in the same ballpark. You'll find none of them better suited for this team and this community.
I do not know what more you can say about this guy and the season he's had. You have to go back to Drexler to find his like. And this after his third year in the league.
I assume the comments will consist mostly of awe and praise but that kind of talk is valuable sometimes. Often we forget things that are right beneath our gaze in our hurry to correct other matters more on the fringes. I'm fairly certain the coaching staff thanks their lucky stars for Brandon every game. Us doing so as well isn't going to hurt anything. You may certainly share whatever criticisms you have as well. Also of interest: What, if anything, do you think could hold Brandon back from being an all-world player? Do you see room for more (realistic) improvement in his game and if so, where? Do you consider his presence alone enough to guarantee Portland at least a shot at a title somewhere along the line? If not, what else do the Blazers need beside him in order to contend?
See more stats at 82Games.com and Basketball-Reference.com.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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Comments
It is truly an honor to post the first comment on this thread.
Let me make is short and sweet.
Brandon Roy is God.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
If Artest can say it, so can I. Broy>Kobe.
by premthegrem on May 18, 2009 12:36 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
And here I was
Look forward to Ruffin to end it all. Oh well.
But in all seriousness, I don’t know what else I want realistically out of Roy. I’d like to see a couple more rebounds, and a couple more assists, but I’m totally fine with what he is doing. I’d like to see the Blazers pick up a few more driving options, and work on some dump-off passing so that when/if Roy gets double or triple teamed on the drive he can pass it to GO?LMA/Pryz for a “slamma jamma bing bong.” That’s about it, really.
On a similar vein
when I watched the beginning of the Orlando/Boston game I saw several flushes by D-Ho that came off simple penetration from the perimeter by Orlando’s shooters. Pick and roll, straight iso, transition, it didn’t matter, the Celtics bigs rotated off D-Ho a little bit and he made them pay (I think I counted at least 4 dunks this way).
Is it out of the realm of possibility to think Oden could do the same exact thing if he was given the opportunity? If Roy manages to attack the middle, there is no reason to think bigs won’t shade towards him to stop an easy layup. If that happens and Oden has a sliver of space it would virtually guarantee a flush or at least a trip to the FT line. Do that between 5-10 times and Oden could get his 12-15 points easily. I really hope our penetration to the hoop improves next year from all our guards, our efficiency which is already fairly high would improve even more.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
If Artest can say it, so can I. Broy>Kobe.
by premthegrem on May 18, 2009 12:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Definitely a good goal to shoot for
but a lot of Oden’s offensive production problems are self inflicted in that he likes to bring the ball down at waist level off of any non lob pass. Then he either gets stripped or there is enough contact that he cannot take the original high percentage shot available to him. Hopefully he gets cured of this sooner than later and your vision will be the reality.
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
he should watch
pau gasol play. I hate to say it but after watching that houston l*ker series i couldn’t help but notice(and the announcers kept pointing it out) that gasol is one of the best at that.
"Howard, he know me" Rudy
by phillyduck23 on May 18, 2009 12:57 AM PDT up reply actions
He is really good
His physical talent is not overwhelming, but he has really strong fundamentals. Enough ambidexterity to really keep defenders guessing and be able to effectively put back shots from either side of the bucket.
If I wanted to go into rant mode I would talk about how ridiculous it is that a guy who has made it to the nba cannot use his left hand effectively, but I would look silly and anachronistic.
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
Oden
I disagree. If we want Oden to turn into a cry-baby who is fouled on every play while never committing a foul, than we should tell Oden to watch Pau or Scola.
Getting back to the point of my post, Oden will never have Pau’s balance or mid-range shot. My advice would be for Oden to pattern his game after Howard, or Bynum (I just threw up a little) or Shaq or even Mutumbo. Oden does need to hold the ball higher, but telling him to be like Pau is like telling a bulldozer to race like a whiny boxter.
I dont think anyone is advocating
that Oden develop a perimeter oriented game, only that he develops footwork and hand work around the basket like Pau does.
Oden is already patterning his game after early Shaq and current Howard and Bynum as those players all exhibited or exhibit a severe lack of fundamentals while using raw athleticism to backup their games.
Now imagine the combination of raw athleticism combined with some decent fundamentals and you get nearly unstoppable. That is the reason Pau is a much better player for Oden to watch than the 3 you mentioned. Also, I think it is disingenuous to say that if Oden takes something from Pau he has to take everything from Pau. I think you are just throwing the baby out with the bath water in this case.
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
I've also noticed this bad habit of his and
wondered why some professional coach didn’t correct his behavior. it seems pretty elementary to me.
Good plan
I was wishing we would see that in the Houston series. Instead of driving and getting blocked by Yao, or passing back out for the jumper, I wished the guards would drive in, draw Yao away from the basket, and then pass inside to Aldridge, Oden or Przybilla. That seemed like a way to counter the obvious problems the Blazers were having in the paint.
For some reason, Nate didn’t ask me.
Sticking up for Travis Outlaw since 2008.
I wished the guards would drive in, draw Yao away from the basket, and then pass inside to Aldridge, Oden or Przybilla.
Blake did that 3 times in game 3 (Twice to GO and a 3rd time to LMA, all during the same 3rd quarter stretch)
I think Houston “figured it out” and took away the pick-and-roll passing lane. But a better PG than Blake and penetrating and dishing would be most welcome
I couldn't really ask for more
I mean, yes I could ask for more assists, better defense, etc., but he has done so much that I would feel selfish if I did.
If there is anything that I would ask for is that he improve his FT%. I think he should be able to get up to 85% by next year. As much as I’ve seen him make many clutch free throws, I’ve also seen him clank a few too.
I miss Martell. Come back soon!
He was 87% in the playoffs FT%
"What's so interesting is that this team took on a dynamic that was very special. I don't think we as a group, in terms of management, coaches and players, realize what we did as a young team. We broke all the metrics. We broke all the molds. Our challenge is can we continue to do that. As young of a team with 54 wins, no issues off the court, phenomenal chemistry." - Kevin Pritchard
my favorite stats from roy
FT ATT per Game
6.5
5.0
+1.5
Free Throw%
82.4%
75.3%
+7.1%
the man just can’t do no wrong, royness is next to godlyness
"Howard, he know me" Rudy
amazing season, much better than I imagined
If Brandon never improves, he’ll (health permitting) still retire as one of the greatest (if not these greatest) Blazers ever.
My three questions regarding Brandon:
- Can he become a leader on defense rather than a defender who takes plays off?
- Can he become comfortable pushing the tempo a little bit more?
- Can he develop a trust and chemistry with Greg Oden?
If he can answer those 3 questions with a yes, he will take the Blazers very far. If not, well, he’s still 2nd team all-NBA and its hard to complain too much.
I would
guess 1 and 2 can be solved by having a good defender and scorer in the lineup with Roy as it would free him up on both ends of the floor so he could maximize his energy when needed. I suppose having a player with both of these attributes at the point would really go along way toward allowing Brandon to take the next step forward.
Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.
Agreed, having the right PG will take a lot of pressure off of Roy.
IMO, we need a scoring PG who can play defense. See my post below about “Extending BRoy’s career….”
by upper left corner on May 18, 2009 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Complaining about B-Roy's defense
just puts him in good company. Many great players have done that. Neither Magic nor Bird were necessarily great on-the-ball defenders, and both would take plays off. I think it is really a matter of pacing themselves. The leader on defense really needs to be your more physical guys — Przybilla and Oden. So I’m not really worried about that. And as the team defense improves, we won’t notice it so much. That is what Magic & Bird had behind them.
I think hecan answer yes to your other 2 questions:
—I think the Blazers should push the tempo more, because they have the athletes to do it. I suspect Nate held them back a little on purpose, because they were so youthful, he didn’t want them getting out of control.
—Chemistry with GO is just a matter of time, just as it has been with LMA. It doesn’t happen overnight, or even in 1 season. As GO gets more time on the court with the starting unit, they will begin to see what he can bring to the team offensively, and focus a little more on getting the ball down inside. That will become even more true as GO gets better and passing out of the double team.
Yes it took Clyde, Terry, and Jerome 3 yrs
to start clicking. Even then it took adding Buck to really send them over the top. Fortunately we are already nearly as good as the first year we had Buck. As the chemistry builds with Aldridge and Oden so goes the team. Brandon will have NO problem working in with them. Oden and Aldridge have never played with another big that have their capabilities before this year.
That big bright light you see is the future.
K*be can defend,
When Roy is asking for the best opposing wing to defend, then we will have our superstar. Everything else we’re asking for is trimmings on a star.
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
kobe is the most overrated defender maybe ever
hes like Lebron last year…
once brandon steps up his D tho, he will be an ever greater player
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
on D K*be >> Roy
if for no other reason then he tries
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
I wish I could find
that clip of Roy blowing by Kobe to win the game in the 2007-2008 season. (and if I remember right, he stopped Kobe the play before). Then I could post the link after any “Kobe’s D > Roy’s D” comments. :)
"...we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don't know how to stop someone." - George Karl, Nuggets coach
haha, I remember that, well played
Roy might be better then K*be head to head, but over the course of a year? any year to date??? Not yet
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I think you’re buying into the hype. Tex Winter came out and criticized Kobe’s defense.
draft rodrigue beaubois
why he isnt there anymore?
he is still working in basketball…
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions
that may be so
but that doesnt make him a good defender. He is a defender by reputation only.
watch Rudy murder him in the olympics. Rudy never looked so good. :)
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I would think the only the first question has much weight.
The second question certainly has merit, but less importance. The third, well as much depends on Odin as Roy.
My thoughts about Roys future…
With Baylesses ability to drive, it should be more important for Brandon to develop, or simply start using his catch and shoot game. I’de also like to see him start using screens more, more off the ball movement, this assumes that we have a ball handler that can threaten the basket other then Roy. I’de also like to see him tossing lobs a little more to the bigs, and I guess that kinda ties into your number two point a little, so yeah, an improved running game would make for a nice addition.
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
This season was the unveiling of the new face of the NBA...
LaBron, CP3, BRoy will be the faces of the NBA for the next decade. King James and CP3 will probably end up with flashier stats, but Roy will have HANDS full of rings…..
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix
by philly420pdxhilo on May 18, 2009 1:09 AM PDT reply actions
I wouldn't call the Birdman a "face" of the nba...
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Call him "The human canvas of the NBA"
VENTURA: It's drowning. It gives you the complete sensation that you are drowning. It is no good, because you -- I'll put it to you this way, you give me a waterboard, Dick Cheney and one hour, and I'll have him confess to the Sharon Tate murders.
I would be very surprised if Roy ends up with more rings than LeBron
Very surprised, but pleasantly so.
So would I
…but Roy has a better surrounding cast and a better GM than LeBron. It gives him a chance.
"...we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don't know how to stop someone." - George Karl, Nuggets coach
Rose?
Durrant?
Mayo?
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
The only thing I regret about Roy
Is that he was born into this NBA of Kobe, Wade, and CP3, making the job of getting on first team hard if not impossible. Also having Lebron around makes getting MVP a struggle unless the blazers continue with another +13 wins this next season.
I love Roy. I think I may love Roy too much. I always fear that he is going to let me down, that he isn’t as good as I imagine him to be.
He’s never done that yet, but that fear will continue to live on in me.
"We Believe" - Rudy Fernandez
Karl Malone won MVP
when Jordan was busy racking up his second three-peat. I think Barkley took home MVP in ’93 too, when Jordan was in his prime of primes.
Never say never. :)
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21... I know...
"'Five Dollar Foot-long' is one of the best songs. That's a hot song. You've got the FreeCreditReport.com, and then 'Five Dollar Foot-long' comes on. When 'Five Dollar Foot-long' comes on, they should play that in the club. They should play all those in the club."
~ Ron Artest (link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090515)
by FibonacciSequence on May 18, 2009 2:03 AM PDT up reply actions
people will get tired
of giving it to LeBron every year and roy might have a shot.. if we have the best record in the West, its possible
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
How the Mailman won the MVP.
See GreatOden’sRaven’s comment immediately below.
by MiledAnimal on May 18, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Hence why Shaq didnt win it numerous times
and why Jordan didnt win it every year he played in the league. People just want to vote for someone new every now and then. Just gotta make sure Roy plays well in that “new player year”
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Nothing will succeed like success
If the Blazers win a couple of titles, Roy will become 1st Team All-NBA.
by upper left corner on May 18, 2009 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions
regular season MVP's = not worth anything
The only individual award Roy should be concerned about winning is the Final’s MVP – being the best player when the stakes are the highest. An award recognizing the fact that you constantly killed Memphis and Golden State in December and January is rather hollow IMO.
Nothing gives you props like rings…
by Furious Styles on May 18, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
My favorite stat about brandon roy
is the TO percentage combined with the Usage Rate. BRoy is only going to get better during those clutch fourth quarter stretches, which is an thought that makes me so so happy. Thats the type of player you need for a championship run, and we have him! And a group of super talented developing pieces being developed by a topcoach (yes i do believe that). Hard not to be happy.
I just pray that LeBron doesn’t create a Jordan-esque effect that infected so many teams great teams during his reign (detroit, phoenix, blazers, sonics, jazz, etc), negating them to “great teams that happened to play at the same time as Jordan so no rings for you” status.
"In general, I hate the snap judgments. I hate the rush to predict things. I hate the sports culture that can't think of anything to say unless it is predicting things. I dislike the over-hyping and the following angst-ridden crashes. I dislike the overdrawn, over-simplified, nuance-free generalizations that sprout like weeds over the conversational landscape because accuracy and fairness and truth don't fit as neatly between commercials or quote as easily around the water cooler."
-Dave
Roy's next goal offensively
should be to raise that 3 PT percentage up above 40%. Other than that, aside from maybe pushing the pace more (but that’s more of the PGs job IMO), the rest of his “weaknesses” lie on defense.
Best of Senator Clay Davis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI4-QyAzY64&feature=related
Yes, that's about all you could want from Roy on offense
of course you can get greedy and say things like 50% shooting
more, more, MORE FTAs
and, uhhh, post moves?
Any improvement on offense will now being going from “wow, he’s great” to “is that even legal in this state?”
"It’s a good ol’ fashioned Rip City beat down!"
Best way for him to raise his 3pt % is to get more open looks
We need a PG who can penetrate and draw Roy’s defender to get him more open looks.
by upper left corner on May 18, 2009 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions
40+ for sure.
I’de love to see it, but don’t expect it as Roy, being our “volume scorer” will by virtue of necessity, be taking ill advised fade-away threes with a hand in his face at the end of the shot clock. More catch and shoot, and some slashing to the basket would make for nice additions as well.
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
all can happen if Jayless becomes Bayless
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
increase his FT percentage
talk about free points. if he can get up to 90 percent on the season you can go ahead and add 3-4 points per game to his resume
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
umm... no
6.5 FT attempts per game this year. If he increases his FT% by 7.6 to get to an even 90, that means he will be making 5.85 FTs per game instead of 5.36 per game. That’s an improvement of .49 points per game, which doesn’t even come close to giving him 3-4 points per game.
We would still like half a point a game for free, but it’s definitely not 3-4.
your assuming he wont get to the line more next year. I think he will.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Okay... then your comment is null and void
You imply that he has to up her percentage to 90% next year to make 3-4 more ppg from the line. But umm… he could lower his percentage to 75% and still make 3-4 more ppg from the line if you’re going to allow him to shoot more FT per game.
I understand what you want to say, but that’s not what you said.
i think the icing on the cake was
how Roy stepped up in the playoffs. that kind of quality is essential in a leader of a contending basketball team.
"So, then, I was like, it'd be really dirty if I put up 42. So I did!" -Brandon Roy, post-game comments after game 2 of the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs
by 5212872 on May 18, 2009 3:06 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I heard him talk about wanting to rest, do conditioning to strengthen his body for a long season, and perfect his midrange game
He believed that would make him even harder to stop. If he could also slightly improve his FT and 3P shot he would be unstoppable. If then he also had a little more energy left on the defensive end thanks to improved conditioning he would be first-team perfect. But overall that is really just adding another layer to the Roy cake.
My only off the court leadership hope would be that he keeps in contact with the other players on how they are training over the offseason and motivates them to improve and get in top form. Ideally room in with Travis :)
leadership
I think thats a good point. Brandon is the heart and soul of this team. I think pushing his teammates, especially Travis, into coming into next season prepared would mean alot. .
I AM A PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS SUPPORTER.
How abut him pushing Oden too?
He’s probably most in need of it.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
If I were betting, I would guess that Greg needs to relax more than he needs to be pushed
Oden has shown plenty of desire and work ethic. What he needs is reps and relaxation.
I think both Bayless and Oden were frequently trying too hard and thinking too much.
by upper left corner on May 18, 2009 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions
You make a good point, but hopefully he doesn't go to the other extreme.
He needs to emotionally relax, but continue with some skill building/training.
I would have thought summer league was a nice opportunity to get some presumably low pressure game time in to work on his skills in a non critical game situation. Hopefully having his rookie year out of the way will help some, and he will be able to settle in. He has been on a pretty long rehab training regimen, which probably was pretty exhausting in terms of discipline. Going to have to wait and see. But, yes, it can seem that Gregs main challenge, if his body holds up, is his own attitude.
It would be great if he keeps up with what Greg is doing and reminds him to relax yet focus on the tasks ahead
I don’t think Roy can teach him a lot at this point in time though. Whereas Travis doing a similar workout to Roy could have amazing results.
Hopefully Travis "comming up short" in the playoffs
will be a motivator. He probably does not want to let the team down, and also probably does want to stay. So, yes, hopefully he will pick it up for next year. I am rooting for him.
How about his teammates motivate themselves
and not require Brandon to expend more energy pushing them to excel?
by MiledAnimal on May 18, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
thats fine and dandy
and you are right, guys who earn millions of dollars shouldn’t need to be pushed to enter the season prepared, then again, it happens. I think Brandon has the natural born leader characteristics to drive his teammates to excel to the next level. I say crack that whip Brandon.
I AM A PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS SUPPORTER.
BRoy is my fav NBA player. Even if I wasn’t a Blazers fan he would still be my fav player. He is so controlled and doesn’t force shots. True, he isn’t a flash in a pan player like Lebron or d-wade or Kobe, but that’s why I like him. He can do those flashy, high risk moves but he doesn’t for the sake of his health and his team. He doesn’t care about that ‘super-star’ NBA status like I think Lebron and Kobe does. He seems like a normal, down to earth guy. Keep keeping it real Brandon!!!
A simple comment reveals all
I took my parents – up from California for a holiday visit – to the Blazer’s Edge game against Toronto. After the game my mom, who watches more football than basketball, said, “Wow, that Brandon Roy is really good.”
When greatness is obvious to even the most casual observer, that’s when you know you’ve got something.
Extending BRoy career and cutting down on the risk of injury
Roy is off the charts. He isn’t just an amazing scorer, he is an amazing scorer who is highly efficient. That is a truly rare commodity.
The thing I worry about is the number of times he takes it to the hole every game and ends up sprawled on the hardwood. We want him to be able to do that and get to the line, but it would be nice if he didn’t have to do it quite so many times per game. Each time he goes to the floor increases the chance that he won’t bounce back up.
I think we need to think about how to take a little of that pressure off of Roy. To me, it seems logical that we need is a scoring PG who can penetrate and who can spot-up when Brandon drives. Blake is good at the latter, and it was very important to the team’s success. He is not good at the former.
Think about the possibilities if both our back court guys can both shoot and both penetrate. If the double comes they can pass to the open player. If not, they can finish at the hole or drop it to the bigs. Oden should be amazing on pick and rolls. He is so big and so strong, no one should be able to stop him on his way to the rim. If you combine two guards who can penetrate with the low post presence that Oden is likely to become, you are going to put a huge amount of stress on the opposing team’s bigs. If we can get those bigs in foul trouble, we can take over the game.
Brandon shot 37% from 3 pt range last year. Sounds good but not great. But think about how he got those shots. Most were off his own dribble. Lots of step back opportunities or stop and elevate attempts when his man is giving him just a little room because he is such a threat to drive. Imagine what Roy’s % would be if more of his attempts where open spot ups created by his man trying to help against a penetrating PG? I would rather see Brandon shooting 40% on open, spot up threes and less time laying on the floor after a drive.
Obviously, Bayless is the guy with the potential to make it happen. He has a long way to go, but if he can get his shot figured out and if he can learn how to use the threat of his penetrating to get open looks for Roy (and maybe Martell and Rudy) he can be just what the team needs.
More open looks for Brandon, means more Championship runs and less worries about injuring our superstar.
by upper left corner on May 18, 2009 7:32 AM PDT reply actions
I thought he was getting up slowly
in the middle of the season, about the same time he messed up his hand. That guy spends more time on his back than an NFL quarterback. I’m amazed at the beating he takes and still bounces back.
Sticking up for Travis Outlaw since 2008.
Look at DWade
Wade ended up hurt. We need to try to avoid that with Brandon.
by upper left corner on May 18, 2009 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Maybe the best arguement
For a scoring point guard. …taking wear and tear off of Roy. If Rudy improves as much as I suspect he will next year, Roy’s minutes might go down a bit as well. This would be good.
RoadBlazer
Good point about minutes
I expect the team to have quite a few blowouts at home next year. Hopefully, Nate will be a little less paranoid about keeping the starters in and Roy can take a few more minutes off. I would like to see him at 32-34 minutes instead of 37.5
Rudy developing should help make it possible.
by upper left corner on May 18, 2009 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions
I recall Terry Porter getting crushed everytime he took it to the hole
(as I recall, anyway). I think that many times there is not really any contact…he is just off balance and falls …in a controlled way
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Yep
Whenever the ‘89-92 Blazers needed points in a late game possession, TP would put his head down and drive into the paint, and either score or draw the shooting foul. He was also a clutch FT shooter. I can foresee Jerryd Bayless filling this kind of role in the future, but we’ll see
Please don't turn Roy into a spot up 3-pt shooter
He is one of the best at picking apart the defense and finding the kick-out 3point shooter if necessary. He needs to be surrounded by guys who can hit the open shot, not the other way around. For the Blazers to be successful, Brandon needs to be aggressive and attacking with the ball. I understand the concern for his health and longevity, but I don’t think we should make drastic changes to how we got here (54 wins) out of fear for Brandon’s health.
There are other ways to address the drubbings Brandon receives under the basket. He probably needs to bulk up a little bit more and learn how to control his body to land on his feet. There are other players who get to the hoop like Roy but don’t end up on their butt as much as he does. Hopefully he can learn from them a little.
In regards to DWade, he won a championship being aggressive and since he has been healthy he hasn’t turned into a 3point shooter or shied away from being aggressive out of fear of injury. Brandon needs to be Brandon, learn to take some bumps, and hope for the best. Don’t change his game out of fear. And if Brandon can be a career 37% 3pt shooter, I’ll take that in a heart beat. I wouldn’t change what he did last year, just to get his percentage up. This should be the last of our concerns or focus.
That being said, if we can find a PG who can get to the hoop and free throw line AND shoot with consistency from the mid range to 3pt line, then get that player (we need Jarred Blake or Steve Bayless). To me there isn’t a player that really that sticks out who is good at both, and if they do exist the Blazers have little chance of acquiring them (or how much would you be willing to give up to get one of them).
I have little faith Bayless is that guy. If he can become a better shooter and learn how to be PG, then maybe, but those are two big “ifs”. Next year he should get all the backup minutes at the beginning of the season if we are ever to get a bearing on what type of player he will be. The dude has all the drive and determination to get better, so I won’t bet against him, but most of the time it takes more than that.
Bottom Line for me: I’d put more value in a Blazers starting PG who can shoot and spread the defense, than one that can only drive to the hoop. If we can find a PG capable of doing both with consistency, then lets get him. The Blazers should be better next year simply based on experience alone, so I don’t think it is wise to find reasons to make significant changes with how we got here.
by RABID_RABBIT on May 18, 2009 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
just an addition, not a wholesale change
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm talking a matter of degree
I don’t want to change his game in any huge way, but most great wing players gradually evolve. They learn to take fewer chances with their bodies and typically extend their shooting range as their careers progress. Look at MJ or Kobe. Like I said in my original post he needs to be able to go to the hole and draw fouls when we really need it, but it would be nice to reduce the frequency with which he has to do it.
Regarding Bayless, everything in his history and what we have heard suggests that he will be a very good outside shooter. He was very good in HS and shot 40% from 3 at UA. All the reports were that he routinely shot well in practice. The fact that he did not shoot well in his limited minutes is probably a result of trying to hard. Given regular minutes you would expect him to relax.
by upper left corner on May 19, 2009 2:06 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure
…Roy wears padded undershorts that help absorb the falls. Not going to take all the wear and tear away, but it helps.
"...we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don't know how to stop someone." - George Karl, Nuggets coach
54 wins
That is the most telling statistic.
I know this is going to sound sacreligious, but I would actually like to see less of Brandon Roy next year. Portland should extend their margin of victory and getting him rest, in order to be fresh for a long playoff run, would be great to see.
Dave alluded to it but no one else has yet mentioned it:
IMO, Brandon has the best handle in the NBA among players that are say, 6’4" and taller. His extraordinary ability in this area is what allows him to drive into such extremely tight spaces.
For next year, I’d like to see Brandon’s and Rudy’s game mesh with each other a bit better.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
He has absolutely elite ability to move in 4 directions instantly (or 5 if you count going up for the jumpshot). A la Kobe if I dare say so, who might have even more moves and better balance when he goes up for the jumper. Roy doesn’t have the nastiest crossover or spin in the game, but that’s not really needed. He bobs around and methodically reads his defender to see when he got him off balance to drive. He cuts sharply, and it’s near impossible to strip the ball away from him in that situation. Like D-Wade, he also likes to briefly take the ball in both hands or press it against his body like a running back when going through two defenders. That’s amazing to watch.
I would say that he has at least a very good crossover
When Roy is at the top of the key and breaks off that crossover…nobody is immune to it. (I kept saying to my wife …“He rocked him to sleep on that one!!” or somthing similar)
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions
excellent first step and great shoulder control
thats how he gets by people. he places the shoulder mid bicep on his defender while beating him to the edge and leans INTO the defender as he goes by completely negating any defense other than a foul.
reminds me of Gilbert Arenas in that way
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Very much like Arenas
Not quite as good as Wade but good enough for 23 ppg.
"...we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don't know how to stop someone." - George Karl, Nuggets coach
Comment to Roy: Stay humble
Your fans will talk you up more than plenty. Thanks for the show.
Brandon Roy is a Jedi
"It all depends on where his growth will come and we think his growth will come within us" -- Kevin Pritchard on Jerryd Bayless
Brandon Roy sucks ;)
That Steve Nash is exactly the same as Kirk Hinrich, but worse.
by NBA Observer on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
Brandon Roy sucks......
….out his opponent’s will to live
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
All Brandon needs, really
Is better/Improved teammates at the PG/SF positions
And to be “left alone” at the 2 guard position (even if that means Rudy won’t get enough PT and will have to be dealt away, eventually)
I said it last week in a different post
But I made the mistake of underestimating Brandon Roy a year ago at this time. I didn’t see him improving all that much – either this past season or for the rest of his career. And, boy, am I glad I was wrong on that count.
Brandon makes it so much easier to be a Blazer fan. I am anxiously waiting for the day (later this summer, I’m sure, after the other roster moves have been made) when the announcement is made that he’s agreed to sign his extension.
shhhh
this aint gonna help you get that job
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Roy came into the league underestimated
…which is why we have him. :)
"...we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don't know how to stop someone." - George Karl, Nuggets coach
roy was great
but do you remember his performance when we played Phili late in the season? It was a good game and close in OT. Roy drove to the hoop and threw up a wild shot. It wasn’t a foul, but he sure thought it was. Instead of getting back on D, he whined to the refs. They then scored on a fast break basket which ended up sealing the game. What I like about Roy is the fact that he doesn’t have the prima donna, Gilbert Arenas esque attitude. I hope he doesn’t start taking it on now.
by rip city coming alive on May 18, 2009 10:19 AM PDT reply actions
imagine if he never made those comments about the refs....
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldnt call Gilbert a primadonna
there are other players I would have used in that example
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
he has got to work the refs sometimes
just has to
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
perhaps not as much as he did last year
or at least yell at them as he is getting back on D…
standing there complaining does no one any good.
thats what free throws are for.. to go over and work the refs
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah
That’s true. I have nothing against him “working” the refs, but there is a time and place. The time and place is not during the biggest play in the game when your team needs you on D.
by rip city coming alive on May 18, 2009 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Best Blazer ever.....
My Drexler fandom is cringing as I write this…but Roy is moving into the penthouse.
Anyone have a chart of pace-adjusted stats?
Comparing maybe the top 10 or so guards in the league?
Remember when everyone was saying
Roy had reached his ceiling. He didn’t have the athleticism or the skills to get much better..blah blah blah. So much for the experts. Less minutes more production greater effeciency. Absolutely stunning.
Lets not forget
He is a stone cold assassin when the game is on the line.
One thing I'd like to see
Put one more playmaker on this team at either point guard or small forward who can create their own offense to take a little bit of the load off of Brandon and I’ll bet you he becomes a much more committed and tenacious defender. If/when that happens Roy will take the last and final leap to true superstardom.
Like I mentioned earlier
I want to see Brandon spend some time this summer working on his freethrows. If he could get to a 90% for the season, ala chauncey billups, you would add 3-4 points per game just from that alone, AS WELL as make it a terrible idea to foul him down the stretch. It makes him THAT much more of a threat when he goes to the rim if 2 points are automatic.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 11:41 AM PDT reply actions
I wonder if that would increase hard fouls...
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
possibly
but its a risk he has to take.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree,
and Odin should be able to reduce a teams tendency to hard foul…
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions
+1 for spelling it like the Viking God
but yes, if Oden takes it upon himself to retaliate, that will lower the hard fouls on Roy
however, Oden fouls too much as it is, not sure I want him wasting them
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
going from 75.3 to 82.4 is a pretty big jump.
And the guys with 90+% are pretty rare. I think Jordan maxed out at right around 85%. And that’s a pretty serious threat from the foul line. I think 82.4% is pretty good. I’d be stoked if he hovered around there for the next 10 years, to be honest.
85% would be good
but 90% is better. since its all about repetition, he just has to work on it. there is a reason those guys shoot 90% from the line, they WORK at it.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
90% is good but 100% is better.
82.4 is pretty damn good.
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
Roys second year %es were worse then his first...
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by TrentEdwardsHoF2018
by Screen Name on May 18, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree - He was 87% in the playoffs
This is bordering on nit-picky to want more.
"What's so interesting is that this team took on a dynamic that was very special. I don't think we as a group, in terms of management, coaches and players, realize what we did as a young team. We broke all the metrics. We broke all the molds. Our challenge is can we continue to do that. As young of a team with 54 wins, no issues off the court, phenomenal chemistry." - Kevin Pritchard
he DID miss some important ones tho
its not a stretch to ask him to get better on a day to day basis
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions
3-4 points a game by increasing his FT%??
Nope. He got 6.5 FT attempts last year. He shot around 82 percent (net average of 5.35 pts per game). If he shot 90% instead, he would have netted 5.85 pts per game off FTs. A gain of only half a point. he would have to dramatically increase his freethrow attempts to get an additional 3-4 points per game
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions
you think his FT attempts aren't going to go up next year?
he is going to get more calls now that he is 2nd team all-nba.. dont think the refs dont read that stuff.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Sure...
…but that wasn’t what you said.
If he could get to a 90% for the season, ala chauncey billups, you would add 3-4 points per game just from that alone….
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess I figured it was implied
he will go to the line even more this coming year than he did last year.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions
My bad then
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
nah mine for not mentioning that
i assumed.. which is never a good idea..
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions
No problem
however ….I was right and you were wrong….neener-neener
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Umm that's not what you said
And by this logic, he could LOWER his FT percentage and still make 3-4 more FTs per game.
I declared near the end of the season that Brandon Roy was my new religion
I’m seriously thrilled to be watching this guy ascend. My favorite player since MJ. The guy who has made me an insane fan of NBA basketball again. I would give him a kidney.
What I expect to see going forward:
1. Brandon developing the reputation as a shut down defender. the line of thinking of “what we can fairly expect given how much energy he expends on offense” sells him short. If he’s going to get significantly better, it’s going to be when people are afraid of him on both ends of the floor. I believe he knows this, and it’s going to happen.
2. Even better rebounding. I especially can see him snaring another full offensive rebound a game (and upping his points along with it) and potentially at least causing another rebound on the other end as well. The guy’s built like a mack truck, though everyone seems to overlook this part.
3. Over 25 ppg. He’s an elite scorer and he upped his ppg by 3.5 this year (thanks, Dave!) There’s no reason to believe that this upward trajectory will stop. I think Brandon is going to achieve this by learning more veteran tricks, getting to his best spots with more efficiency, and …
4. getting more free throws per game. This will happen in two ways. one is by his level of knowledge and skill in drawing fouls is going to go up. (He gets a lot of on the job training and he learns well.) Secondly, he’s going to get the favor of more calls. I think that next year, we’re going to see far fewer of those plays wherein Brandon gets clobbered going to the hoop with no whistle. This off-season, people are going to have it solidified in their heads that Brandon is really that special. His reputation during pre-season clatter is going to go up astronomically. If his game takes another big step, all that will be cemented, and we will arrive at the “Man, the Blazers get all the calls!” complaints from opposing fans status.
Max salary ASAP. Lock him up for as long as we can. Keep him wearing that number seven for his career. Enjoy the ride.
Number 3. There are plenty of reasons to think why this trajectory will stop
1. Greg Oden might start getting some actual touches
2. We should have more blowouts next year, so hopefully Roy gets a lot less minutes
3. Rudy being better will hopefully allow Roy to rest more even in non blowouts
4. Picking up a better PG will also hopefully give Roy some more rest next year
5. Increasing your scoring gets harder the higher you average.
6. Offensive improvements to Batum, Oden, Rudy, LMA, and maybe Webster, Outlaw, and Bayless should allow Roy to spread the ball around more.
I like the other 3 on your list though.
one other thing about Brandon
The one thing he has that really sets him up for the success he’s had is that whole ambidextrous thing. It’s phenomenally rare that he is so deadly with either hand and can change directions without losing anything. This is the freak part of his game. Not mentioned enough.
indeed
he is the best finisher in the lane of any guard in the league. I say guard because no one finishes like Howard or Shaq since all they do is dunk.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Brandon Roy next season
MVP! MVP! MVP!
I try to help with everything," Fernandez said. "If the coach says go rebound, I go rebound. I work for the team.
""If I'm playing this game to get media and attention, I shouldn't be here," Aldridge said. "I'm here to play basketball, and do what I can do to help this team win."
His stare became blank. It was apparent he was back in that place, on the Rose Garden's logo, picking up Aaron Brooks as the crowd nervously roared.
As others have mentioned
the only weakness in Roy that I can see right now is that he is developing a bit of a tendency to expect the refs to bail him out. I want to see less of that next year. Otherwise, definitely exceeded my expectations in every way.
"...we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don't know how to stop someone." - George Karl, Nuggets coach
He is a star and expects star calls
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
if he gets them
it is.
whether you agree or not with “star calls”, (most reasonable fans dont) it will be nice for the first time in a long time to have a player who GETS those calls.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions
+92
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
+22
VENTURA: It's drowning. It gives you the complete sensation that you are drowning. It is no good, because you -- I'll put it to you this way, you give me a waterboard, Dick Cheney and one hour, and I'll have him confess to the Sharon Tate murders.
Even if he gets them, he shouldn't expect them.
1. He should always be looking to score the 2, not “expecting” to get bailed out.
2. He shouldn’t be expecting a possession to be stopped. If he “expects” a foul and falls down or something, he won’t be ready to get back on D if there is no call.
He should get more calls. He knows this. But every time he goes to the hoop he should assume that he has to score the bucket on his own in case they don’t call a foul or in case he’s not actually fouled.
well of course that is true
but it will be nice to get some of those calls.
by GreatOden'sRaven on May 18, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions
He is a busy guy and has no time to talk to you
me on the other hand ….he should make an effort to make time for me and talk to me on the phone and invite me to his house and say publicly that Mort looks like Big Suke…in fact he should change his number to 92 and dedicate the upcoming season to me. This a very resonable request I think
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on May 18, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions
The calls for defensive improvement are right but not from Brandon
The key to next year’s improvement is Greg, Martell and Nic and Jerryd. All of these players can become excellent defenders and earn significantly more minutes. When I look at the All-Defensive team selections one thing stands out – team defense on the selection is excellent. Each is from a top-10 defense and three are top three. As the Blazers move from 13th to top 5 Brandon will be considered for All-Defense as well. Of course this is a sports writer award. But with a solid defense behind him B-Roy can take the occasional gamble and snag a couple steals a game. Brandon already wants to guard the best player at crunch time. It will be noticed next year as the lock-down defense we saw in our blowouts becomes routine.
And for the record I am delighted with B-Roy and trust that he and coach will know just what to work on this summer.
"What's so interesting is that this team took on a dynamic that was very special. I don't think we as a group, in terms of management, coaches and players, realize what we did as a young team. We broke all the metrics. We broke all the molds. Our challenge is can we continue to do that. As young of a team with 54 wins, no issues off the court, phenomenal chemistry." - Kevin Pritchard
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