I get the whole "be patient and develop this team for years to come" mentality. I believe it is premised on the idea that the core players will be peaking in a few years, which is why I get that attitude. But what if Roy is peaking now? He is a 4 year college player and has a growing list of chronic aches and pains. He is playing big minutes, leaving it all out on the court almost every night. Currently he has scored 52 points and is leading the team in not only production but energy on the court. Is now his time to shine . . . and if so do you make moves to surround him with players ready to win now? In other words, if this team isn't far off from be a contender, do you trade some of the future to surround Roy with the potential to win now? Or do you bank on Roy staying healthy, being the leader of the team and being as effective or more effective on the floor 2-3 years from now?
I think you bank on Roy being as good, or better, in 2-3 years as a bit of a Hobson's choice. This team simply isn't good enough now, so if Roy can't keep it up in a few years, our goose is cooked. We need to wait for Oden, Rudy, Batum and/or Bayless to get better for the team to be championship caliber. That forces us to bank on Roy still being a force at that point. And I think he will be. His injuries haven't been problematic enough to really stress about him aging abnormally.
I don't know how much more Roy's stats will go up in the future, but barring some gigantic role change I wouldn't predict too much. However, I think he's going to continue to refine his game, and get used to the nuances of the NBA that can only come from experience. He's such a cerebral player, I can't envision it not happening. As far as personnel moves related to Roy, I'd say the current plan is decent. We should see a decent amount of roster turnover in the next two years as management makes decisions on Outlaw, Frye, Diogu, Blake, and Randolph if you want to even count him. At the same time, they have to decide if Sergio and Webster fit long-term as well, and could end up using either of them in a trade if the answer is 'no'. Throw in Raef's contract, and you've got a lot of potential activity over the next couple of years. I feel like things will take care of themselves for this reason. This isn't to say I want KP to just sit on our roster and see what hatches. I'm fine with moving any of those guys if he thinks what we're getting back will benefit us. And to be simple, I think we need a trade so that we're able to play the guys that we think are going to be the ones with us down the line rather than giving minutes to guys who just kind of fit at the moment. Outside of the guys mentioned before, you're left with Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Joel, Batum, and Bayless. I think most would agree that those guys are our core (maybe minus a player or two varied on people's opinions). We need guys that will fit with them, and be able to fill a role on the team. I doubt Brandon breaks down in the next 4 years, so I don't think there's a reason to freak out and try to contend for a title right now. I see him being very efficient well into his career. While I'm getting a little tired of the "let the cake bake" references, I think it's accurate to a degree, especially related to the players in this paragraph. We have some really solid pieces. Unfortunately, they're almost all young, and will take time to reach their potential. The game becomes who fits where, and will they fill out to their potential? Realistically, I don't think there's a ton of people we could get in trades that would vastly improve the team now, and into the future when I personally think we'll be contending for titles. Roy and Aldridge are obviously solid fits. Oden/Joel seem to be able to hold down center pretty well (although Joel may need a replacement down the line). I personally think Batum/Webster could become a really solid tandem at SF, and then you throw in Bayless and Rudy as well. The weak spots are PG and SF, but most people want to give Bayless time at PG. You trade for a PG now, and you can kiss that good-bye. How much better of a SF could we really get? You'd have to get someone that will work with Roy, Aldridge, and Oden. If you want someone to get 20-25 PPG at SF for this team, I think you're being unrealistic. So to sum it up, I think we're doing alright now with who we're putting around him, and I expect there to be a good amount of new faces soon, and us to hang onto who fits best.
I agree it is probably best to wait to see what the young guns will turn into. But I think this team could be turned into a contender now if the Blazers were willing to mortgage a part of the future. If you start floating around names like Rudy, Webster, Bayless and maybe even Aldridge . . . I suspect you could see all stars coming back in return. Surround Brandon with a couple of current all stars and Blazers could be talking about making a run this year and next. But with all the hype about dynasty team, I understand it is hard to give up that dream in pursuit of short term glory.
Peaked? I hope not. He hasn't even learned how to pass out of a double-team yet. Once he gets that down, look out! Bake it!
and once Roy starts getting the veteran calls he will spend a ton more time at the line. He hits the floor every time he drives... He has to start getting calls to go his way unless we are playing the celtics or lakers. there are only so many fouls a ref can call in one game.
Oden and LA are the keys to Roy being an unreal player. Once teams have to focus on LA and Oden at the same time.... there is no way they can contain Roy. It's that simple.
After the 52 points against the Suns, Roy was quoted in the Oregonian saying he was now getting calls and therefore getting to the line. He also mentioned remembering one play where he wasn't touched and how the "refs bailed him out" by sending him to the line. Since then, he is getting hammered, and the calls aren't coming. Perhaps he was a bit too honest with the media...
