http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2008/12/roys_leadership_is_like_his_ga.html Nice insight from Charmin on Brandon's approach to leadership. More good stuff below. Get pumped Blazer fans!
Man... who knew when we drafted Brandon, that he'd be this good and such a leader off the court. There is no doubt that he is our MVP, and he's going to be the one that leads us to a championship if we do get one. Brandon Roy for MVP! and get Boston!
Every sign points to KP knowing Brandon was a leader after a simple face-to-face interview. Although I imagine that Roy would have been picked before LMA if KP thought he would be an All-Star by his second season.
Not necessarily. KP may have thought the big man would go higher so make the deals and take Roy at 6. Doesn't matter. Blazers got both, and Sergio as honorable mention. What a draft.
I read Quick's piece this morning and I thought what a special guy we've got in Brandon. Not only does he have terrific basketball talent, but the guy is a genuine leader who actually seems to care more about making his teammates better than he does his own stats and reputation. I have no doubt he could be averaging 30 ppg, but he seems to really enjoy getting other guys to contribute and only really looks to score when the team needs it...which it has on a couple of occasions on this trip. No talk about needing a better "supporting cast", he just looks to work hard and get the maximum out of the guys on the team. I have no doubt that when his playing days are done, Brandon Roy is a top coach in this league.
I agree, I think he might have taken Roy higher but he felt confident he could get him a little lower. KP is an amazing talent evaluator.
It's so cliche, but I'm going to use it anyways.... Great teams have a swagger about them. This team has had a maturity about them so far this season, but I'll admit I've wondered about that swagger. Our guys are all very talented, and genuinely nice human beings, but I was affraid that wouldn't be able to transform into "killer" on the court. The first time I saw any swagger was the last home game against the Hornets, when Brandon got nose to nose with David West. Now again with these comments, we see a little more of that mentality come out. They might not beat Boston Friday, but they aren't scared anymore, or at least their leader isn't. We all know what a great leader can do for an organization. Now add into that a great leader leading great (and talented) men, and we've got something truely special happening here in Portland. I've got a feeling we've seen the last of anyone pushing this franchise around!
Seriously, with the way this team (2nd youngest in the league) has started out with the toughest early schedule in NBA history and winning about 70%, you have to at least mention Brandon in the MVP race. He may not win it (I think it will be Kobe or LeBron this season) but if you take a snapshot look at this point in the season he's statistically playing like an MVP. If he continues to play at this high level all season he deserves to be in the running for the award. Don't worry, Brandon will get there, after he leads us to our first championship he will jump up a few notches in the race.
I just don't know. I hear a lot of talk from us, but until I see it, I think we fold like a lawn chair against the Celts.
I hate to admit this but the team has performed so far beyond what I even hoped a little (but nagging) part of my brain is having a hard time believing this is happening and I'm waiting for the real team to show up. I'm afraid they're going to get completely manhandled and blown out by Boston like they did with LA. I'm really hoping they can at least keep it close.
This is the kind of moment we need [video=youtube;I7krz_Krn4k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7krz_Krn4k[/video]