Can we beat another top team without him? If we're able to beat a team like Boston without him I don't see why we can't beat the Hornets. Still hope he's able to play though! http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/01/roy_says_he_is_questionable_fo.html
I'd be more worried about his hammy than if we will win or not without him. It has been almost a week and only questionable? I hope this does not linger.
What scares me is how the team thinks it could be a worse injury than originally thought.. like a tear in the hamstring. But having a guy like Rudy is such a luxury, and seeing more PT for Jerryd is a good thing as well. And hopefully this means we see our offense feature more post play with LMA and Greg. I want to see those two grow and actually become the Big 3 with Brandon.
Very good point. Putting Greg and LA in there without Brandon to lean on and carry the team, can turn into a good thing in the longrun. It forces them to step up their games. If Greg comes out with the same effort he did in the Boston game(knocking people on their asses!)NO could be in trouble
I would rather lose a few extra games now than end up with a long term injury with Brandon. This is the type of injury that can be an ongoing problem if you don't take care of it up front, but if you do take the time to fully heal, there should be no lasting negative effects. Also, there is so much to gain in the long run by playing a stretch without Roy. 1) Give the pressure to LMA, Oden and Rudy and see which ones have the fortitude to carry the team through rough stretches. 2) Give Bayless more time to prove (or disprove) he deserves playing time. Also, gives him time to simply adjust to the NBA. 3) Allows Nate the freedom to shuffle players around a little more while looking for the best squads possible. 4) Gives Roy a good midseason break for the rest of his body to get ready for the remainder of the season. All of these benefits will help the Blazers come playoff time.
We got it together and played so well after that first quarter in Boston that I'm not worried if Roy misses a few more. I'm looking forward to seeing more of our offense run through our low post (particularly Oden). I think exposing that part of our offense as a legitimate option will help us out tremendously in the long run and will only be possible if Roy takes a breather. But against LA on Sunday, he can come back for that game only... I have money riding on that game.
Best of all it changes our style of play to a post-dominated, inside-out game. Twin Towers, Baby! (And I'm not talking about Joel)
