The article saying Roy was held to an all time low in points is a moot point. Roy didn't even play in the 4th quarter, which I believe is when this new 3 guard starting core gives him the most points. Also, there was no urgency for Roy to score, because all the team mates were scoring at will. I suspect that Roy will still have just as many points as he's accustom to as the season progresses, especially when teams try and stop the run. Also, I think this road trip is going to be great for the team's chemistry. Usually long road games bring teams together because they are forced to be with each other. I hope Roy and Miller us this to get to know each other more. The sooner those two are on the same page, the stronger we become a dominant force in the NBA. Also, Oden was looking great last night. Of course it's a bottom feeder team, but for the most part, he looked great with his footwork and scoring around the basket.
Tell ya what, I am not predicting this but I think we could go undefeated on this road trip (gut feel), 4-1 is very doable IMO.
If other guys are scoring and making teams pay for shadowing Roy they will have no choice but to guard him one-on-one. And that's when Roy goes for 40. If they don't lay off Roy then he can create for his team mates.
I'm not going to try and Jinx it, but I think we do very well on this trip. Since we've been seriously trying to establish a low post offense, it helps with pulling out wins on the road. I won't guarantee anything, but if we can stick with our guns and stay with the same game philosophy, good things should happen.
I don't know what article you are referring to... but Roy's body language was bad last night... he was walking around... passive... reminded me a lot of how he played on Rookie all-star game. I don't really care about the points... he just hasn't looked like himself lately. I think the 3 guard lineup was an attempt by Nate to make him get over his funk with Miller (once I had 2 cats that were constantly fighting... and after 1/2 year I tried throwing them in a bathroom together for a few days thinking they'd sort it out... it didn't work... they still hated each other). I think by putting Miller in lineup Nate was trying to force them to get along. Like my cats... I am not sure it is working.
I still don't understand it. Maybe it's because Roy hates running? I just think we should pound it inside and then give Roy pick and Roll/Pop opportunities when we are down to 8 in the clock. He should still go for 20+. Personally, I felt like Roy was totally fine as we were winning. He loves to be the hero, but he was smiling and laughing on the bench. This isn't Oden circa 2008/09 we're talking about, Roy looked fine to me. I think people are reading too much into it.
I actually was perfectly happy with Roy last night. Sure, his shooting was off, and that happens, but he compensated by doing everything else. He got 7 boards, 6 assists and a steal. He played good D and made sure that the hot hands got the rock. Roy seems to adjust well to changes, and it may take him a few weeks to adjust to this style, but I have zero worries about him. And in certain games, where teams half-court us, Roy will once again take over. And when the game is close, Roy will take over. He just cares about winning, not about getting his. If scoring 30 is needed to win, he will do that. But if getting rebounds and assists is what is needed, he will do that.
Roy did an amazing job and taking the team on his back and carrying them to victories last year... but teams pick on on that tendency and they will try to lock it down. As to last night... 7 boards and 6 assists is fine... but he was jogging through offensive sets... walking at times. Roy *is* better than that. Perhaps he was just toning down his awesomeness because his team mates where doing so good... but I am not sure. My personal feeling on what is wrong with Roy (if anything at all)... is that he just signed a huge fat contract... and he is trying to figure out how to justify that in his mind a little bit. Maybe he is thinking that because he got all that cash it should be easier for him... he should be getting some all-star calls... but mostly I think he is feeling some pressure from being a max contract guy and he just needs a few games to get his head completely together. I think he will be fine. He is a winner. Right now he is thinking it is Miller or something that is throwing him off. Whatever it is (if anything)... he will conquer it an be fine.
The interesting thing is, with the way Portland played last night, he was a non factor. How much of this was a fluke and just a one game type of thing or this something we need to worry about? Does he fit into what this team is trying to do now? Can they acclimate him into the this system? If not, is there a player that would fit into this better than him. Chris Paul for example.
Portland was always a team that could beat you in the half court. Over the past two games it seems like they are trying to become more diverse--we can play the running game or the half court game. Miller and Aldridge lead the offense when the tempo increases, but when the opponent gets back you transition into more of a Roy/Oden half court offensive set. Minnesota never really stopped the transition offense, so there was never any reason to switch gears into the Roy offense. So he sat most of the second half with a smile on his face. Who can complain about that?
I agree with you 100%. In fact, this new style allows Roy to do what he does best, and that's making others better. Being the "Decoy" on the floor causes huge mismatches with the other teams. Now their SFs have someone they must guard, instead of cheating and doubling the slashing guard. Also, with his defensive increasing a bit, it will only fine tune his game when crunch time rolls around. Last night wasn't much of what we are used to in Roy, but remember we were smashing the T-pups. Roy didn't have to score because everyone else was kicking ass. When games are closer, expect more Roy, like the SAS game. I have no worries about Roy accepting this line-up.
Roy has been shut out of the game every time he's shared the court with Miller, who apparently feels threatened by Roy's leadership and his being our #1 option on offense. No good will come from this. Trading what Roy gives us for what little Miller gives us is a fool's bet.
Not true. Roy played great with Miller against the Spurs and he was the top scorer in the game.. And don't forget that there is NO WAY we win the Spurs game without Roy. Roy is still a very important part of this team. In the playoffs, you need a player who you go to for baskets down the stretch of a close game. Roy is one of the best of those kind of players in the entire league.
