Felt it deserved its own thread: LMA, now THAT's how you play basketball

Already has. Check my signature. I got rid of the burnt cake pic, didn't like it anyway.

 

Roy isn't that guy anymore. The position of "franchise player" is a wide open competition at this point.

 

I don't know, it shows LaMarcus throwing down nasty dunk on my screen. That and a legit naked pic of Jessica Alba.

 

If he can channel his inner LaMonster, we'll be much better off as a team.

 

Did you make that up? I somehow never heard it, only LaMarcia. If he plays like this more often it will catch on.

 

That may be a part of it but I think Roy has done more to destroy his own position as "The Guy" than anyone else has done to take it away.

To be the leader you must have the respect of those you lead. Roy can't produce as he has in the past and yet he is blaming those who CAN produce for his own shortcomings. Not very good in the "Win friends and influence teammates" area.

I think when Roy was initially hobbling and hurt by the knee, people give him slack, including teammates. However, when he still claims to be able to lead and produce when he obviously can't and then deflects blame on those he is supposed to lead can very quickly alienate those whom you are supposed to lead.

Players aren't dumb. Who is producing on the team? Matthews. Miller. LMA (with quite the WOW the past couple games).

What has Roy become? Bear with me here - he has become Sergio. Many here, myself included, wanted Sergio to play more because we'd see the occasional flash of brilliance and think "he's the next Nash!". Roy has been on the cusp of greatness but now he is reduced to Sergio level. We occasionally see flashes of greatness but more often than not, we are starting to cringe when he is playing. I was honestly glad to see the report that he was out three games. With what I've seen of him lately and his attitude, I just don't care anymore.

So....Is it LMA's team. Oh yeah.......but only if he is willing to take it. If he can consistently perform at leadership level, this team is his.

Gramps...

 

He has got to want it don't ya think Gramps? Being the leader of an NBA franchise with fans that feel so cursed that he would be a hero just for keeping the team respectable seems like a great situation to be in.

Trading Miller for someone who can't play with Aldridge would be a mistake. He has Miller and Matthews and hopefully Nic to play with and they play well together. Maybe Rudy will wake up too now that Roy is done.

 

ehhh ... define "effective."

Honestly, I don't think things are going to get a whole lot better because you don't magically regrow your meniscus with time and nothing I've read or heard so far leads me to believe that Roy is about to make a huge adjustment to his game. Maybe it will come with time, but at best he's probably going to be at the level of "useful reserve" that is, a PER of something like 12-13, the ability to hit some occasional step back jumpers and a complete liability on defense.

 

I think yes, Roy could be an effective 6th man. I would not have him as a starter unless the knees are seriously better. Even then though, he minutes need to be monitored closely. However, there is a big difference between CAN and WILL. So far Roy has not indicated any mindset or willingness to change his role. If he is willing to recognize reality and change his game, he could be productive.

I look at the Celtics as a prime example of something good that can come out of players changing who they are and their self-perception. Pierce, Garnett and Allen all made adjustments in their game once they were all on the same team. They went from largely being "The Men" on their respective teams to being willing to accept a reduced role and show a willingness to share. I don't see that from Roy.

Gramps...

 

Did anyone else gasp on that alley oop from Rudy? Aldridge's elbow was above the rim. I knew he could jump, but fuckin' a.

 

You would think so but there are a number of us who have been around long enough that we still suffer from Rasheed-itis. Someone who was immensely talented but didn't have the mentality or desire to be "The Man". He would do it on occasion and we would all think "What if he did this EVERY night!" No, you can't expect performances like LMA has had the past couple of nights every night, but they need to be more consistent and the effort and intensity needs to be there every game and through the entirety of every game.

Hence, the IF portion of if he wants it.

Gramps...

 

Put this in your pipe and smoke it. A PER of 17 is Wesley Matthews, LMA type play ... you think he's going to come back to that? Oy vay.

 

I know about Rasheed, but he KNEW he could be the man if he wanted. He just didn't want to be. I could actually understand why even though I didn't agree with it.

Aldridge on the other hand seems to me to be more reluctant to be the man because Roy has been the man since day one. I know Aldridge couldn't always finish if there was any contact and Roy could finish in traffic from day one, so that may have been part of the problem with Aldridge.

LaMarcus may just now be feeling strong enough to finish with contact and with Roy out his time has come. Hope so.

 

Great game by LaMarcus indeed. It will be interesting to see how he reacts when teams start doubling him again. He's kind of shown he can't beat it.

Also helps Minnesota's frontline is pitiful defensively, lol. They're just a terrible team.