Brandon Roy = Vinnie Johnson?

by bfan on Mar 16, 2011 1:23 PM PDT

Just wondering what people are thinking of Brandon's role going forward. His effectiveness off the bench seems to be growing, and he's starting to remind me a little bit of Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson, whose only job was to come in and light it up off the bench. Could be some pride issues with Brandon accepting such a role going forward, and not sure Blazers brass would want to pay max money to a sixth man. But I could see him doing well in such a role. Would save his knees from the heavy minutes, wouldn't have to defend other teams' best players all game, and could focus on what he does best--scoring. The would also allow Aldridge to be to go to guy early in games, keeping him integrated and interested. What do you guys think?

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Isn't that what they are doing?

by joelor on Mar 16, 2011 1:29 PM PDT reply actions

I'm talking as a permanent role going forward.

Not just as he tries to work his way back in this season.

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Mar 16, 2011 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions

this is exactly the type of role I envision for Roy going forward

Dunk

by Billy Ray Bates on Mar 16, 2011 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I can see a little . . .

bit of the “Microwave” in BRoy. Of course, neither is (was) a
great defender, but Vinnie was a bulldog within the great team
defense of the “Bad Boy” Pistons.
It’s too bad our Blazers are not good on defense. I’d give them
a 7.1 on a 10 point scale. Some good individual defenders, but
each has his weakness and the team defense is generally average.
Camby, Smooth, Crash, Batum and Matthews all have strengths, but
Camby, Aldridge & Batum can be bullied. Crash isn’t fully acclimated
to the team and Matthews gets outquicked on occasion. I think the Blazers
can be better as a team. (Let’s hope for a 7.7 until GO comes back)

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Mar 16, 2011 2:00 PM PDT reply actions

One of the best nicknames in sports.

Campaign to remove "Free-throw Guy" from the Rose Garden.

by Knobby on Mar 16, 2011 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

Really, just about anyone named after an appliance is a win.

"You're standing in my sunlight, please move." —Diogenes to Alexander the Great

by pixelpusher on Mar 16, 2011 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

It's more than just being named after an appliance

It’s also the first name: Vinnie.

It’s VINNIE the Microwave.

The dude would never have gotten the nickname if his first name was Frank or George.

Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.
- Charles Darwin

by Love on Mar 16, 2011 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Vinnie moved well tho

Roy’s rustiness may go away still, may not.

As for now, he looks to like a Robert Horry type role player. Teams will continue to fear Broy late in a close game. I actually thought about writing your post, using Horry as an example instead of the Microwave.

by andru on Mar 16, 2011 5:14 PM PDT reply actions

Horry's not a good comp for Roy.

He was an all-time great at hitting open threes in the fourth quarter of playoff games, but his role was to space the floor and play defense. You couldn’t run your offense through him.

by zopa on Mar 16, 2011 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Johnson averaged 12ppg in 25 mpg for his career

Vinnie shot 46% from 2 and only 25% from 3

I think Roy can better those numbers, when healthy. I like what I’m hearing from Brandon and Nate re: keeping Roy’s minutes around 25. As we’ve been talking about since before his surgery, Brandon’s going to have good nights and not-so-good nights. The Denver game a few weeks ago and last night against Dallas were great. Expecting him to be able to produce that every night is optimistic, even during a playoff series. He’s going to give it everything he’s got, regardless, but his body will cooperate some days and betray him on other nights—completely at random and without prior warning. He’ll still be able to play, but his ability to dominate will be intermittent.

The good news is, the team doesn’t depend on the Natural to be “Superman” to win every game, anymore. He can help spread the floor and provide leadership even if he isn’t able to slice and dice the defense, on a given night. But the opponents will still have to honor his threat, because they won’t know if he’s on his game from day to day either. It’s kind of like that scene in Princess Bride where Inigo Montoya is lying back on the bed. Is he really helpless? Can you afford to take the risk?

For now Roy is a 6th man. After this season, who knows? Brandon will go as far (and for about as long) as his knees can take him.

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

by two4larue on Mar 16, 2011 6:57 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Yah I figured someone would throw out the Microwave's stats.

They aren’t the greatest. So I’m not comparing BRoy in that way, but rather in his role and style of play. Nobody asked VJ to come in and shut down the other team’s best scorer. His job was simple: Come in and put the ball in the bucket. Cold blooded assassin who hit more than his share of game winning shots. Absolutely Roy can better VJ’s stats, the role might be a perfect fit for him. If his only job is to score, he could very well get back to his 20ppg average in as few as 30mpg.

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Mar 17, 2011 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

3-guard rotation

in the early ’90s VJ was running the offense and defending PGs when Isiah was out of the game (Dumars was also sharing playmaking duties)

so Vinnie was more than just a chucker, at that point of his career

the first guy I remembered who came off the bench and tossing up jumpers was “downtown” Freddy Brown with the Sonics. Obviously the “6th man” role was initiated by Auerbach (first Frank Ramsey, then Hondo)

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

by two4larue on Mar 17, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions

PS

It’s Wesley who is lying on the bed, and Prince Humperdink who has to decide if Wesley has the strength to fight of if he’s bluffing.

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Mar 17, 2011 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

To the pain!

by big_dl on Mar 17, 2011 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I've only seen parts of the movie a few times

I like the poison drink scene the best

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

by two4larue on Mar 17, 2011 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

do yourself a favor.

and watch the whole movie about 500 times. it’s awesome.

by SaveOden on Mar 19, 2011 4:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Rec for Princess Bride reference

by big_dl on Mar 17, 2011 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Let's call him the "Slow Cooker"

or maybe the “crockpot”

by superfly05 on Mar 16, 2011 8:23 PM PDT reply actions

the ironing board

set him up, he straightens things out

then put him back away

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

by two4larue on Mar 16, 2011 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

the toaster.

when the other team is looking like the best thing since sliced bread, bring in brandon roy and they’re TOAST!

by SaveOden on Mar 19, 2011 4:41 AM PDT up reply actions

greg oden is the quesadilla maker.

spends most of the time on the shelf, but when you want to make a quesadillla, there’s noone better!

by SaveOden on Mar 19, 2011 4:42 AM PDT up reply actions

He's more of a toaster-oven at this point

One of those really high dollar ones that look like they belong on a spaceship.

Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.
- Charles Darwin

by Love on Mar 16, 2011 9:00 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Brandon "Space Toaster" Roy

I like it

by andru on Mar 16, 2011 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Vintage!

I hadn’t thought about Vinnie the Microwave in a LONG, LONG time. When I was growing up I was a huge Bulls fan (and I still root for them when they aren’t playing the Blazers) and that guy tortured us for years. If B-Roy can do that on a consistent basis he would almost be worth his huge contract.

by mattisnotfrench on Mar 17, 2011 8:58 AM PDT reply actions