But you knew that already didn't you? http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=dealssheridan-081213
I think most of us knew this. Blake fits so good because he can do what PGs do, and be steady at it and not make mistakes, and then when Roy plays on ball (most of the time) he can go to the 3pt line and knock 'em down at a high clip.
Blake is only a good fit when his 3-pointer is falling. When that isn't clicking, he's a minus on the floor since he's a pretty average passer for a PG and his defense is overrated. Baron Davis doesn't a lot of sense alongside Roy though since both like to dominate the ball.
Roy has two options: learn to run a fast break and hit cutters in the half-court learn to play off the ball PERIOD I'm sick of sucking at fast break points and points in the paint and being either a BRoy ISO or jumpshot team!
Roy can certainly play off the ball, the problem is with defenses smothering him and daring other Blazers to make plays. If a team knows that the ball is going to go to a certain guy - and no one else is a threat to score - it makes defending an off-the-ball scorer a whole lot easier. As to running the fast break, Roy could certainly get better - but so could the whole team. It's not a strong suit of the Blazers - and it's a problem. If I recall correctly, the Clippers dominated the Blazers on points in transition the other night... and it's not the first time a team has had that aspect of the game to thank for a win.
What good does playing off the ball do if Blake is the one "on the ball"? If we had a really good PG on this team, ROy would be able to play off the ball for stretches just fine. Fact is, there's no reason to run him around and get him tired out like Rudy or Rip because we are a much better team with Roy controlling the ball than we are with Blake controlling the ball.
Seeing Roy play alongside Chris Paul in the All-Star game was proof enough that Roy can play well with a PG that knows how to run the break.
You can't be serious? He was playing alongside the greatest point guard in the NBA in a game where no one played defense.
We may not need another ball dominating guard, but we need a guard that can penetrate. We need some more easy buckets.
I was thinking the same thing. I just wonder how long it will take Nate to give Bayless the green light to do what he does.
I really want to see more Bayless. While he got a few ticky tack fouls last game, he has all the physical tools to be a good starting guard next to Roy. I'd rather see what he can do than go after a guy like Conley or Baron Davis.
Roy said afterwards that he didn't like it, that it would be hard to play with a PG like Chris Paul on the Blazers because he likes to dominate the ball.
I don't think the team neccessarily neads a player that dominates the ball to get a player that has the ability to attack the basket when he does get the ball. Hypothetically if we had Chris Paul on this team he could easily bring the ball up the floor and get the team into it's offense. Roy could still be the focal point of the offense, and kick to Paul when teams double him. Then Paul could create for either himself or one of his teammates.
So is Blake a good fit when the game is on the line and you need to hit free throws? That's what I thought. I think Nash is on the outs in PHX I say we pull the trigger. He does not always have to have the ball, and probably would like the fact that he could get some pressure relief with Roy in the game.
My straw man thinks Nash doesn't fit with the Blazers because he's entering the downward trend in his aging career. I disagree with my straw man and agree with you instead. I think Nash would make this Blazers team much, much better. He handles, he drives, he passes, and he shoots. There is much he can teach our young guards, and I have no doubt we would have a worthy replacement all loaded up if and when Nash was no longer up to the task. I'd love it.
Actually that wasn't what he said. He said he didn't know if it could work out, in a kind of "unoptimistic" way due to him needing to handle the rock.
