Good news. Roy isn't dogging it. Bad news ...

The multiple injuries may have taken their toll on his body

http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/11/7/1798872/media-row-report-blazers-97-raptors-84

On the one hand, good for him and doing what he has to take care of himself, on the other, that creaking sound you hear isn't just his dodgy knees, it might be the sound of whatever slim championship hopes we had, slowly closing shut.

 

Frankly it makes sense given what we are seeing from him. I just wonder how bad those knees are, how close to bone on bone he is. The one "possible" positive is that if we believe this team has a lot of talent, it opens the window for a less "Roy-centric" team which IMO is a good thing, and allows guys like LMA and Batum and others to step up, and maybe Oden eventually (big maybe there).

 

On yet the other hand, this might be "regular season" Brandon talking. "Playoff" Brandon might be entirely different person. Remember back when, when Scottie was accused of "coasting" during the regular season? (of course, Pippen was 30-something at the time, as well.)

 

I don't think so. all those knee injuries have taken their toll, IMO the best example is that he has lost his explosiveness to the basket. He's still a very good player and hopefull some of the other guys can step up and no way should he be playing nearly 40 minutes a game, no way.

 

I think you could be half right. I think he's doing his best to preserve his body for the games that count, which is sort of coasting, but I think the days of Roy playing like a top ten guy might be in the rearview mirror -- or at least to the right in the passing lane.

 

Maybe, but there's still the issue of him playing 1-on-3 during the clutch time of playoff games and having the ball repeatedly stripped away while a couple of teammates are wide open for easy 12-14' jumpers. That's not going to change.

 

Then trade him...and that bloated contract, blast it!

 

It's only 7 games but his FG% is now at 40.9% vs over 47% the past two years. Yes he is averaging 22 PPG but so far not as efficiently. I think we should watch this as the season progresses.

 

The problem is that Roy is help up on a pedestal by you and others. It makes no difference he's now our worst defender among the starters. It makes no difference he can't make it in clutch time anymore- or at least far far less then he used to. It makes no difference he refuses to run when asked to by the head coach. He's up on that pedestal and he's never coming down. I suppose I understand that type of hero worshiping as it's not all that uncommon.

But the facts are a different story. And at some point in time one has to choose to either hero worship and look the other way, or accept the facts and act accordingly. It's a sad fact his nagging injuries are costing him his game, and maybe even sadder to have to be the one to begin to point it out as the hero worshipers are skewering me- but good.

 

I think you may have a point there.

 

The real point isn't that he got married, though......it's that he didn't invite any of his teammates. Classic ISO wedding.

 

great. the beginning of the end for him. He is like an aging player who is trying to extend his playing years. The problem is that he is not an aging player........

 

if you read what Brandon said his BODY is aging from the wear and tear and how many knee surgeries? and how much cartilage is left?

 

And yet Nate insists on playing him 40 + mins.

I don't get it. I'd rather Roy go all out for 32, than change his game for 42.

 

Now I would totally agree with that, my only caveat is can Roy go all out and be the player of the past several years, or have the knees limited him enough that even if he played full tilt for 32 minutes he would still be less effective? That is an important and very difficult question to attempt to answer.

 

Perfect point. Isn't that why we went and overpaid for Matthews?

 

Brandon is 26, but his knee is probably 65 in dog years.

 

I think you guys are being a bit too gloomy about this. I remember back when Clyde had his knee scoped and the next season it took him until close to the playoffs to regain his confidence and explosiveness. The important point though is that he did regain them. Brandon most likely will too.

 

Was that Clyde's only surgery, I honestly can't remember. If I remember correctly Brandon has had two and maybe three surgeries on the same knee? it goes back to college