Ric Bucher has been a consistent source of entertainment over the years. It is good to see he is continuing in this line of success.
Wow, this article just pisses me off. Portland is actually the younger of the two teams, yet has more than double the wins. Way more proven. And Roy isn't a superstar? Ok.......
The hell he isn't. It's not like he is 7th in the league in PER and leading the 2nd youngest team in the league to 50+ wins all while putting up impressive numbers in the slowest offense in the NBA. Oh wait...
And of course, OKC's trio has room to grow, but Portland's quartet of Roy, Aldridge, Oden and Fernandez, well, they will, apparently, shrink. Despite the fact that the two non-rookies have gotten better every year. Guess they've reached their plateau.
What does it take to be a superstar? How many all stars? How many 50 point games? how many 30+ point games? What defines superstar? Market exposure? is that why some think he's not a super-star?
So Brandon Roy is up there with Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard? Those are the league's superstars. I hope you don't answer yes to this.
I guess it's because Roy's game isn't flashy. So most people don't take notice to him. But he certainly produces like one.
I guess your definition of 'superstar' is different than mine. By that definition, no, he isn't. But IMO there are more than four superstars in the league, and Roy is one of them, or on the cusp of becoming one of them. Like I said in another thread, a good playoff run may solidify that for him.
7th in the league in scoring, 7th in player efficiency rating, 4th in offensive rating, 3rd in offensive win shares, 7th in total win shares in producing like a superstar (by my definition).
It annoys me how sports writers communicate with the diction of a 9 year old. "There are key components to building a championship team,” Bucher said. "You have to have a superstar who dominates his position. And you have to have a point guard.” Umm, doesn't every NBA team have a point guard? Like Derek Fischer or Avery Johnson or John Paxson? Does Bucher think he's some sort of genius GM, giving us the keys to success? "Kevin can dominate his position to command a double team to try and stop him,” Bucher said. "As good as Brandon Roy is, there are certain matchups you don’t have to double him hard." "The Thunder isn’t at the same place right now. But their flexibility, their room to grow, is better. And they already have some key parts you have to have. Portland doesn’t have that point guard, yet. And in my mind they don’t have that superstar player.”............... The Thunder isn't at the same place right now? The game isn't played in your mind Ric, it's played on the court. And Kevin Durant is a really good scorer, but I think he's close to a Carmelo Anthony type. But I guess Russell Westbrook makes them a championship contender. Their room to grow might be better because they suck so badly right now, but sorry, no GM in the league would trade Portland's roster for Oklahoma City's. We're not comparing a baby team to a veteran team here. Portland has the youngest roster in the league, and they are playing big minutes. Having a "superstar", which Durant is not, and "a PG" doesn't necessarily make anything but a good team. The Blazers actually have more championship ingredients with Batum, LA, Roy, Oden, and possibly Bayless(who I think will be just as good as Westbrook). Not to mention a supporting cast that still has a lot of potential.
Bucher's a dork. Interesting that he doesn't mention the ownership of the team. Paul Allen will keep the team together, and that will cost huge bucks. Do you think that Clay Bennett has the wherewithall to do that? When the rookie contracts are up, we'll see who has decisions to make, and who will cut the checks.
I hope Nate posts this article to the locker room tonight. A little ammo to put things in perspective. "Superstar", "All-Star" who gives a crap? Just keep winning.
