Right now it seems like Nate is trying to figure out alternatives to get Roy involved. He's going to try an iso, which is great and all, but an iso seems counter productive. Roy tries to create while everyone else stands around. Not exactly team basketball. I would really like to see Roy add a post-up game to his arsenal. He already has a solid fadeaway. Much like Jordan and Kobe, he has the size and athleticism to take his man into the post. If Roy can work on his post game, he could get some solid looks from mid-range, and it could really create some offensive opportunities for Aldridge, Oden, and our long range shooters. With Oden on the block, Aldridge at mid range, and guys like Blake or Rudy spreading the floor, I could see Roy being very hard to defend with a decent post up game. [video=youtube;gEGp92AFudc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEGp92AFudc[/video]
Why should Roy have to change his game? You don't see Kobe, Lebron or Wade changing their games....even though they have. A post up game would be a really good thing for Roy to have. Much better than running more ISO's
To get Nate more involved in the offense, I'd have he and Miller split the ball handling duties more.
Roy does have a pretty good post up game, they just don't go to it a lot. Obviously loadsd of room for improvement on it. I would love to see them go to it more as well. But if he did, SOME would look at as just Roy iso-ing on the block, and whine about "assclown" running iso's, OMG, what an idiot, etc. So why bother?
Roy going one on one is a GREAT weapon. The number of defenders that can contain Roy one-on-one from the dribble can probably be counted on 1 hand. The problem is when the other teams can crowd the middle and double or triple team him while cutting his passing lanes because of spacing. We have seen it in the Atlanta game over and over again. He blew by whoever was on him (Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams) only to be intercepted by 2 other players and have no one in a proper position to pass to. What these plays try to do is create the space to make the defenders choose their poison - get Roy beat them to the basket by himself - or create the passing for a cutter to get the ball if they double or triple team him.
Lebron and Kobe have changed their games? Yes, they've gone from taking 30 shots a game to 20-25. In the very small sample size Roy's shots have been taken away quite a bit as there is more distribution. One could argue that's a good thing as it reduces his scoring load. On the other hand, we finally have someone who can draw a foul at the end of the game because he's recognized as a great player. Running isos, as Soda mentioned in the other thread, allows us to match up with plays in a half court set. You just can't have Oden sitting in the paint for 15 seconds waiting for Roy's post up moves to take effect. So what do you do? You clear Oden out, and keep the others out of the lane. But wait, that's an iso!
wha??? Following a good showing in Memphis, the Wolves were really collapsing on Greg. Clear looks at the 3 point line were there to be had. Portland has a bunch of guys that can hit that shot besides Brandon so he just moved the ball to the open man making the correct play. I've seen Okafor absolutely dominated by DHoward a few times... we'll see how the Hornets approach things tonight. Shots being spread around more will probably be a trend in games that Greg isn't in foul trouble. Many teams lack a guy big and athletic enough to handle him so they give up the perimeter to avoid getting dunked on. Though this development doesn't seem to boost the legend of Brandon Roy, it's good for the team. Open looks from the 3 point line for 40ish percentage 3 point shooters is an efficient way to rack up points especially with Greg and Joel tag-teaming on the offensive boards... plus it saves Brandon's burst for when it's needed. More guys making plays should boost confidence throughout the roster. Brandon will still star in Go! situations at the end of the clock and games, but his overall shots will probably be down with assists up. His real glory is tied to wins. STOMP
I just think putting Brandon on the low block, with Aldridge at the top of the key and our guards spreading the floor would be very effective (if he can hit the shot consistently). Jordan dominated with that move. It's almost impossible to defend and if the defense tries to double, it's easy to find the open man. I think it would create a lot of easy threes for Blake or Rudy, and a lot of easy jump shots for Aldridge. Yes, it is an iso of sorts, but not the same. You let Roy establish position, get him the ball, and then he either has a shot or he passes out to an open man. Having Roy iso at the top of the key while everyone clears out is not the same thing. A) it takes longer and B) it's much harder to get his teammates involved if they're all in the corners. If they're posting him up, he's already in scoring position. It's only a matter of seconds before he either shoots or passes the ball back out.
