Jerome Kersey possesses the wisdom of a Shaman

by Clandestine Johnson on Nov 9, 2010 9:26 AM PST

So I'm listening to Jerome Kersey on the MSP this morning and he was more thoughtful than I'd ever seen him and best of all, he articulated some thoughts on B-Roy* in a succinct fashion that I could never achieve. So, here I will paraphrase JK because whenever I tried to write what he laid out this morning it turned into a nine paragraph mishmash of colloquialisms that flowed together about as cleanly as the storm water overflow currently seeping into the Willamette River.

JK, when asked about Brandon Roy's current struggles - both mentally and physically - says that the man, currently in his fifth year, needs to develop as a player. Evolve if you will. Add a wrinkle. Push a button! Pull a lever!

Then JK evoked Kobe, the wrinkle addingest adder who ever went to work with Hakeem in the off-season to develop a post game; or worked so hard on his jump shot that his form is, if you take the time to watch it, flawless. Or, as Kobe told it to somebody in an interview I saw before this season, watched film of all the great players/scorers from years past - Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West** - and integrated some of what he saw into his own game.

Like someone once said and other people repeated because it was true - there's nothing new under the sun, especially with Brandon Roy. Roy has some changing to do and needs to see it as change to benefit himself, not just to integrate others. I've wondered for the past two seasons what the problem has been as I've watched the emergence of this stubborn streak in Roy that doesn't seem to fit into the young man who came to Portland and lit the place up. Then I went to the OKC game and - thanks to my good friend, E - had a great seat behind the hoop watching the Blazers stink it up on offense in the second half. Out of the million things I saw the one thing pertinent to this post is the way OKC played Roy...with the Durantula on ball and lots of weak side help. I didn't see Roy struggling to get to the bucket - he still has a rocket of a first step and got past Durant with ease on at least two ocassions; but, each time Durant or an offside defender swatted his layup off the glass and OKC took it the other way. I can't remember if they scored*** but I do know that the move I saw was anticipated and met by OKC with what appeared to be a defensive scheme based on two things every NBA team has in spades - advanced scouting and good coaching. Now I'm beginning to think that the stubborn streak is frustration and a lack of understanding - that being understanding on both Roy's part and from the coaching staff - of how to make things easier for himself and, subsequently, the rest of the team. As far as meting out blame in this situation, I have to go with the coaching staff on this.

Word.

*by the way, worst nickname ever for a borderline superstar

**Pretty sure about the names, but I drink...a lot

***again, the drinking

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 6 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Depends on what the reality is.....

You seem to think Roy still has his “rocket” of a first step. And I think it’s far too early to say one way or another, but the truth is, if Roy is struggling just trying to get with the flow of the team or in adapting to agressive defensive schemes being thrown at him?

Then all the things mentioned “might” help.

If Roy is struggling because the debt of cartiledge and bone removed from his knee is begining to take it’s tangible toll?

Then all the clips of Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West in the world won’t help him much.

At this point? Roy isn’t saying he is anything but healthy, so I’m willing to just sit back and give him some time. He historically starts seasons out slow.

But in the ultimate analysis reality will triumph. It won’t be shamans or surgeons, or even agressive opponents with highly scouted defenses…what Brandon Roy will be? Will be totally up to the mind, will and body of Brandon Roy.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Nov 9, 2010 9:54 AM PST reply actions

Brandon starts slow every year so I am willing to let it play out a little more.

It sounds to me like B. Roy is playing not to get hurt, but that’s just my “arm chair QB” opinion. When he says that he’s adjusting his game to playing “on the ground” coupled with his injury history (and the team’s for that matter), he sounds like a guy who is being tenative intentionally so that he doesn’t get hurt. I have a really hard time believing that a 25 year old stud like Roy is already sliding. I just don’t buy it at all. I think he’s holding back. The reason I believe this is that there are several players in the league who have had more injuries than Roy and also more severe yet they haven’t declined at all. For example, look at D. Wade. That guy has had several knee and hamstring injuries and he hasn’t lost a step at all. I see every Miami game and he still plays the game the way he did when he was 23. There are other examples like this to cite as well.. I remember following Clyde Drexler’s career and he didn’t “adjust” his game until he was 30 or 31. He became more of a jump shooter and less of a slasher in the 93-94 season. Pippen did the same thing. It’s a natural progression for all players, but not until they are at least 30. I think Roy is relatively healthy and I think he has a strong 5 years left before he needs to “adjust” his game. I think it’s more mental with him than anything else, but only time will tell. Just my opinion though.

by JAWKS on Nov 9, 2010 10:35 AM PST reply actions

I think we agree

I thought about Wade, too. He’s developed a jumper and he does not attack with the same intensity and reckless abandon as before (and he’s way better both as a physical specimen and a jump shooter than Roy). Clyde adjusted before the 93-94 season, but his physical abilities did decline after the Rockets won their championship with him. Then he became a much less effective “jump shooter” (I use the quotes because that shot was awful looking).

But the adjustments Roy needs aren’t because of physical decline, necessarily. They are because the league adapts to players and players need to counter that with the constant evolution of their game.

by Clandestine Johnson on Nov 9, 2010 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

Great points..

I see it the same way. I used to ask myself how Clyde could be so graceful and smooth yet his “jump shot” was anything but that!! LOL!

by JAWKS on Nov 9, 2010 11:27 AM PST up reply actions

I don't think we can accurately compare the bodies of one NBA player to another

Roy first had knee surgery when in high school. It was a concern leading up to the 2006 NBA draft. Besides a stress fracture in his foot and a close call with pneumonia, Clyde was relatively healthy. OTOH, Tracy McGrady was an all-NBA high flier until he hurt his knee

We all want to wish the best for Brandon’s career longevity, but it’s up to the Blazer’s front office to plan for a potential future without a dominant Roy. I was wondering why they chose to draft Elliott Williams last June, and also targeted Wesley Matthews in July. Perhaps that’s a sign that Portland has tipped their hand re: how long they expect #7 to be healthy and effective as an NBA star?

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

by two4larue on Nov 9, 2010 11:32 AM PST up reply actions

I thought that as well re: Matthews

The biggest problem I have with the way Roy approaches the game has to do with hunger.

He takes the whole off-season off (who can blame him, I guess (?)), he starts slow and plays his way into shape, whatever. Those are the traits of someone like Tim Duncan, who is old and broken down, but can flip a switch and he knows it. He’s been deep in the playoffs and has won multiple championships. Roy sort of has those qualities, but hasn’t done anything, career-wise, to deserve it.

by superfly05 on Nov 9, 2010 12:17 PM PST up reply actions

He takes the whole off-season off

this was the case during the summer of ’09 but definitely not this past summer. Roy worked out quote a bit and lost weight, etc

they were two different summers re; Brandon’s workout regimine, don’t lump them together

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

by two4larue on Nov 9, 2010 1:17 PM PST up reply actions

Thought I read he took it easy

and hung out with his family, in preparation for the grind of the regular season. Perhaps I’m mistaken, or confusing him with someone else who said that.

by superfly05 on Nov 9, 2010 2:31 PM PST up reply actions

Clyde also had a bum knee, which nagged him during the 91-92 season..

He played through the pain during the summer with the dream team and had surgery after that. He was not the same during 92-93 season and his overcompensation for the knee led to a severe hamstring injury that left him hampered through the entire season. His ppg fell from 25 to 19.9 and his shooting % fell because he stopped going to the basket and settled for jumpers instead of driving to the the hoop. He game steadily declined from 92-93 and he learned how to become effective without his freakish athleticism. I have this entire season cataloged on VHS (I know, I’m a geek for this). I do agree that it’s very difficult to compare injured players, but I do think there are some parallels here. CLyde was 30-32 when this happend and it’s too early for Roy to start adjusting because his body is breaking down. I’m just hoping it’s more mental and less physical for B. Roy.

by JAWKS on Nov 9, 2010 3:38 PM PST up reply actions

rec for drunk posting

by 50backflips on Nov 9, 2010 10:43 AM PST reply actions

each time Durant or an offside defender swatted his layup off the glass and OKC took it the other way… the move I saw was anticipated and met by OKC with what appeared to be a defensive scheme

5 words

Learn to shoot a floater

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

by two4larue on Nov 9, 2010 11:05 AM PST reply actions

Roy's problem...

appears to be more related to concentration as his ball handling is off, preventing him from getting into the lane with regularity.

Roy’s main strength is his ability to read defenses and use his ball handling and change of pace to get open inside.

I think he just needs to get back into a groove off the dribble and spread the ball around so defenses don’t collapse on him. He needs to try for 10+ assists rather than 30+ points.

by Rip City Reign on Nov 9, 2010 11:15 AM PST reply actions

Good point

Its nothing new. Teams are packing it in to help on Roy because they know he isnt passing out like he use to. Miller’s shot has a bit to do with it but thats not everything.

by Kaanyr Vhok on Nov 9, 2010 11:55 AM PST up reply actions

last year in October-November

Roy was having trouble dribbling as well. At the time we speculated that maybe it was because he “hadn’t picked up a ball” all summer

But now it seems kind of goofy that a all-pro baller would have early-season ball-handling issues after working out all summer. Are the game balls that different? Wasn’t he facing tough defense from his teammates at the PF before/during camp? Why should it take months for Roy to find his rhythm every season?

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

by two4larue on Nov 9, 2010 1:58 PM PST up reply actions

Brandon Roy is hurt, there is no other possibility in my mind

Just watching him struggle to get a shot off, or to get around even ordinary defenders in the league proves it to me. But to double check, I looked up his shot stats through 8 games and compared it to his stats from the last two seasons.

08-09 Season
34% of Roy’s shots came “inside” on dunks, tips, and layups.
66% of Roy’s shots came on jumpers.
Roy’s eFG% on “inside” shots was over 60%, while is eFG% on jumpers was 47% for an overall eFG% of 51%.

09-10 Season
26% of Roy’s shots came “inside” on dunks, tips, and layups.
74% of Roy’s shots came on jumpers.
Roy’s eFG% on “inside” shots was 65%, while is eFG% on jumpers was 46% for an overall eFG% of 51%.

10-11 Season (8 Games)
18% of Roy’s shots have come “inside” on dunks, tips, and layups
82% of Roy’s shots have come on jumpers
Roy’s eFG% on “inside” shots is 67%, while is eFG% on jumpers is 39% for an overall eFG% of 44%.

These stats show that Roy has moved to a jumper heavy offensive game, he either can’t or won’t drive the ball to the rim anymore. The stats also show that Roy has only 1 offensive rebound in 8 games, when he was #1 in that stat for guards in 08-09, (104 ORB, 1.3 Ortg) and amoung the league leaders in 09-10, (#9 with 73 ORB, and tied for #2 with a 1.1 Ortg). A big part of Roy’s game has been him being able to tip in alot of close shots, he is getting none of those in the early part of the season, this could be because of a lack of explosiveness from his knee injuries.

If Roy can’t take his man off the bounce anymore with regularity, then he needs to focus all his energy on a post up game, to get him closer to the rim for easier shots, as well as moving off the ball looking for back cuts at the rim, both of which he has shown improvement in over last year.

Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by usmcr3049 on Nov 9, 2010 1:14 PM PST reply actions

Where did you pull the stats from?

Wiggada Wiggada Zers!

by Corvid on Nov 9, 2010 2:04 PM PST up reply actions

A Combo of sites

Foxsports.com – this is the only website I have found that has shot charts for every game and every player.
82games.com – for historical numbers
basketball-reference.com – for historical numbers

Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by usmcr3049 on Nov 9, 2010 3:00 PM PST up reply actions

I agree...

Roy isn’t inside much to hit the offensive glass, but that has to do with jumpshots. The latter begets the former. And I do see him smoking guys with that first step, but when the defense can send everybody into the key to stop the penetration BECAUSE NO ONE CAN SHOOT THE THREE EXCEPT RUDY, WHO SEES ALMOST NOT TIME (that’s me yelling because no one addressed the lack of shooters this off season…and anyone who says Luke Babbitt could help should be henceforth banished from the internets) then how’s an offguard supposed to operate effectively?

Sweet mamma jamma!

by Clandestine Johnson on Nov 9, 2010 2:15 PM PST up reply actions

Um, Nic is a pretty darn good three point shooter

and Camby and LMA both help spread the floor with their mid-range jumpers.

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Nov 9, 2010 3:03 PM PST up reply actions

Nic is pretty good, but...

LA and Camby don’t spread things enough. You need to have guys being pulled much farther out to effectively open things up.

by Clandestine Johnson on Nov 9, 2010 4:02 PM PST up reply actions

I agree about the shooters

but this year so far, Batum is the only 3 pt threat on the team, Rudy is shooting 32% on 3’s so far, Roy is close to that, Batum is about 39%. Matthews has been a big disappointment so far for me, he is very good from the corner 3, but he seems to take most of his 3’s at the angle, which is the toughest of 3’s to make. This could be because of him still trying to find his way in Nate’s offense though.

just for reference, I havn’t seen Roy do anything like, This, this, or this lately. These are obviously highlights, but his drives into the lane have been few and far between as the stats above show.

Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by usmcr3049 on Nov 9, 2010 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

He is beating his man he just isnt finishing or he is getting fouled

Its kinda like reverse Michael Redd. Before the injuries Redd starting slashing more.

by Kaanyr Vhok on Nov 9, 2010 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

My sister in law possesses the Escalade of Jerome Kersey

I think the story is he got it as a gift, and then traded it in immediately for the cash. It has all sorts of little weird touches like door pulls that say “nba” on them.

dinasour type of guys choir boys

by mittsabishy on Nov 9, 2010 2:18 PM PST reply actions