B-Roy should be on Team USA

by rip_city_swagger on May 21, 2009 10:19 AM PDT

ESPN recently announced that most of the stars of Team USA from the last olympics will return to play for the USA in Turkey next sumer for the World Championships, a qualifier for the 2012 London Olympics.

The article discusses how there is also a young group of players including Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, likely 2009 No.1 pick Blake Griffin, and our own Greg Oden. But one name seemed noticeably absent to me, BRANDON ROY!

The guy is only 25, was 2nd team All-NBA this year, and is the consumate team player and constributor, and his versatility would serve us well. Now I'm not saying that he would play over Kobe Bryant or Dwayne Wade, but he should at least be on the developmental squad/reserve pool as an alternate.

Sound off on what you think. Would Roy be a good addition to the USA squad? What do you think he would bring to the team both on and off the court?

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Brandon, LMA, and Oden were all invited

If Brandon is not there, it’s because he turned them down, not because they didn’t invite him.

Team USA has made it clear they think Brandon would be an asset to the team.

by Timmay! on May 21, 2009 10:31 AM PDT reply actions

Voice of Reason

that’s you

Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare

Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow

by BlazerFan1 on May 21, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Chris Sheridan did an article highlighting every possible player batteling for a spot that wasn't on the Beijing Team

Here is the link:

Here is their quote about our Blazers:

LaMarcus Aldridge: Scrimmaged against the U.S. Olympians last summer with the U.S. Select Team. Was invited to play for the Select Team in ’07, but could not go because of injury.

LaMarcus was the first player they highlighted!!! (Ohh they did it alphabetically, nvm) But I think the one thing in his favor is the lack of big men on the current USA team, Bosh and Howard will probably be there for sure, so he will be batteling it out with Andrew Bynum, David Lee, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, and guess who Greg Oden. Tall Order, but there is a possibility

Jerryd Bayless: Another member of the ’08 Select Team, he faces some extraordinarily stiff competition to separate himself from the pack at guard.

I don’t think it is Rex’s time yet

Greg Oden: Due to injuries, he was an invitee but just a spectator at the last two Team USA camps. It’d be nice to see how he looks in practice against Bynum

I don’t think he will make it on the 2010 team, but this is going to be GREAT experience for him and I hope he sticks with it as I say he will make the USA team sometime soon

Brandon Roy: Here is a guy who always has his hands on the ball during crucial possessions late in the game. Problem is, Team USA already has about nine of those guys.

This I feel they dropped the ball, YES for us he has the ball in game ending situations, but HES OUR SUPERSTAR! I feel his play in the all-star games has shown he is one of the best at “gettin’ his” within the flow of the game and not disrupting (in-fact helping) his peers. AND both games as a reserve he was left in during the 4th quarter, this shows coaches trust him and his skill set. I think he will make it despite what Chris thinks

"Sometimes I catch myself watching him and he's shooting floaters all-net. And just to watch how he's talking trash. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Rudy's a competitor." - Brandon Roy

by Trail Ducker on May 21, 2009 10:37 AM PDT reply actions

So I always mess up in the link.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=TeamUSAopenings-090505

"Sometimes I catch myself watching him and he's shooting floaters all-net. And just to watch how he's talking trash. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Rudy's a competitor." - Brandon Roy

by Trail Ducker on May 21, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Just make sure to type out a few words, highlight them, then click the chain link button next to the tree picture..

Paste the link into the window that pops up (and preferably choose “open in new window”), and click ok.

Like this.

by Timmay! on May 21, 2009 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions

hahaha I think its cuz I don't type out the words first, but thanks Timmay

"Sometimes I catch myself watching him and he's shooting floaters all-net. And just to watch how he's talking trash. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Rudy's a competitor." - Brandon Roy

by Trail Ducker on May 21, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Oh and to reiterate...

Team USA has specifically asked Brandon Roy to practice. The original post says otherwise but that’s incorrect. If Brandon Roy isn’t there, it would be his decision.

USA Basketball wants Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden

Brandon Roy is among three Portland Trail Blazers who will receive invitations to participate in training for the USA Basketball men’s team this summer.

by Timmay! on May 21, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

LOL that's sad

Roy is the perfect player to place alongside Kobe and LeBron. Just watch how he plays at All Star Games

Best of Senator Clay Davis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI4-QyAzY64&feature=related

by cloudydays on May 21, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

My point exactly..... But what does Chris Sheridan know?

"Sometimes I catch myself watching him and he's shooting floaters all-net. And just to watch how he's talking trash. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Rudy's a competitor." - Brandon Roy

by Trail Ducker on May 21, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Also

Roy can play 3 positions. Albeit he doesn’t run the point super well, but a back court of Roy/Kobe or Roy/Wade could split time at the point easily enough.

Last year’s team liked versatile players, and Roy is definitely that. USA could go huge and have no one under 6’5 on the court with Roy/Kobe at the guards. We could also go smaller with something like Paul/Kobe/Roy if we wanted.

LMA seems like a decent fit because he can play the 4 or 5, but then again a lot of PFs can. We didn’t go with many big men last time. Just Bosh/Howard/Boozer(I think) it was. If USA went with the same mold this time, it’d look bad for Oden’s chances, since Howard is clearly superior. Although it’s possible that they just didn’t see a second center that they liked, and that Oden/Bynum make it alongside Howard this time.

by Zaig on May 21, 2009 11:14 AM PDT reply actions

Don't Over Look Brook Lopez, David Lee and Kevin Love

They also are rumored to invite Robin Lopez also, I think they will try and make it 4 big men this time, making two spots, which I think Lee, Aldridge and B. Lopez (possibly Bynum) are the best bets for those spots

"Sometimes I catch myself watching him and he's shooting floaters all-net. And just to watch how he's talking trash. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Rudy's a competitor." - Brandon Roy

by Trail Ducker on May 21, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Dunno about Lee as being Olympic caliber

Assuming Bosh/Howard are auto, I could see the team going with 2 more big men due to better up and coming players. Aldridge, Lopez, Oden, Bynum and probably a few others would all be in the mix. The other problem is that they will finalize the team in 2010 won’t they? Oden won’t be in his prime by then and won’t have proven himself probably.

by Zaig on May 21, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Al Jefferson might be in there too.

by JTDuck22 on May 21, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Not with his knee injury

Not this year with the knee injury, If he still can try out in 2010, I’d say its his spot to lose

"Sometimes I catch myself watching him and he's shooting floaters all-net. And just to watch how he's talking trash. I loved it. I loved every minute of it. Rudy's a competitor." - Brandon Roy

by Trail Ducker on May 21, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Roy is a leader

And the international game is closer to the college game , you need a floor general to run it. He is that…

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on May 21, 2009 11:27 AM PDT reply actions

Personally, I'd rather see him stay home

and have K*be and Wade take the SG spots. Why? Not because I don’t think Brandon isn’t deserving, but rather because I’d rather see those two killing themselves every summer while Brandon can stay home and heal.

by notjames116 on May 21, 2009 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah

Playing this summer really hurt Lebron, Kobe, Carmelo, and Howard…

by Zaig on May 21, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed Brandon is a warrior...

I would rather see him get healthy. The multiple miniscus surgeries, the bone spur, the pinky are all kind of concerning… okay the pinky isn’t concerning but you know what I am saying.

by Escrote on May 21, 2009 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions

People always say this, but what do you think these guys are doing anyways?

They play basketball all year round. Playing with the best of the best is good.

by Bskey on May 21, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

No no no no no...

Brandon has not been overly durable the last couple years. He should not be expected to go deep in the playoffs and play during the season. Look what happened to Drexler, Jordan and Pippen in 92. And to a lesser extent Kobe this year. Let Greg represent us on the national team. He needs the practice and has more to learn than Brandon.

by erastus25 on May 21, 2009 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

Jordan and Pippen came back and won a title in 93?

by Zaig on May 21, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I bet Roy turned it down

He chooses the Blazers over his country

by jbm01 on May 21, 2009 1:39 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Hahaha

A Blazer first…An American second.

The Kings have the best bench I’ve seen. There are easily 14 guys on this team good enough for every bench in the league. Now if we could only get some starters, I’d totally jizz in my pants.

Kings fan

by dyshooter182 on May 21, 2009 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Aldridges game is perfect for the international level

anyone else think this?

by Escrote on May 21, 2009 1:44 PM PDT reply actions

Nope.

He never flops and everyone else always gets their flop called against him.

Other than that, very much yes.

by staylost on May 21, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

lol... funny but true, maybe Maggatte should be on the team?

by Escrote on May 21, 2009 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

He would probably fit well

He could also play the 5 against some of the teams internationally. We saw this a lot last time with Bosh. (Again, this depends on how the team decides to build their roster.)

I see us being a lot more unstoppable in 2012 than in 2008, and even in 2008 we only had 1 game that was close. Howard will be a far more complete center, Lebron/Wade won’t have lost a step. CP3/Deron should be as good if not better. Other than Kobe, all the main guys will be in their absolute primes… that mid/late 20 age where nobody can stop you.

Spain should be to only competition again, and that all depends on how much Gasol/Rubio/Rudy improve in the NBA. If those 3 all turn out to be pretty good, then Gasol/Gasol/Rudy/Rubio could give team U.S.A. a fun matchup.

by Zaig on May 21, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions