A little ironic, over the last few years it always seemed like someone got hurt just as the team or injured player was hitting a groove, and now we get an injured player back just as we're hitting a groove that threatens to disrupt said groove. I'm leery for sure. A player as proud and competitive as Roy is going to try to re-establish his imprint on the team. That's worrying. If he truly remains a bench player, I think it's a huge boon. A guy who can score and create some is sorely missing from the second unit. And saving Matthews some minutes wear, and relieving Aldridge's offensive burden could be huge for us. But what are the odds he agrees to a 2nd unit role, playing 20-30 a night? I don't think very high. And when he moves to the starting lineup, it's going to push either Matthews or Batum to the bench where they'll be asked to be scoring playmakers -- something neither player is. They're glue guys that play off better players. There's the start of imbalance. Now with Brandon holding the ball more, what are the chances he's going to be finding Aldridge on high percentage lobs? About as many as he used to connect with Aldridge before. Also, it hasn't got much attention, but I think our defense is getting better as the season has progressed. It's still inconsistent, but was key to winning the Bulls and Spur games. Insert Roy... This could be the fatal crossroad for Nate. Putting all his eggs in Roy's basket, like he did in the past, may end his tenure here. If he handles Roy, it could put us in a position to make a nice late season push and some buzz going into next season. I hope he chooses wisely.
Good post. I agree, this is a dangerous crossroads. Do we crash spectacularly, or do we stomp the throttle and speed through untouched? barfo
Kind of funny if you think about. If Brandon does come off the bench and be the spark we need while Miller starts which goes without saying,,,it'll be just the opposite of what was originally suppose to happen, Brandon starting with Miller coming off the bench.
Roy is now an even slower tortoise and will ruin the team, because he thinks he's the decision maker. He will be in a floor war with Miller and Rudy and any passer over who is the playmaker.
Not so fast everyone. Brandon Roy has now had a couple of months to digest everything. Perhaps he's learned a thing or two watching the team during that span. It's entirely possible that he just wants to help the team win, albeit in a reduced role. Even he can't believe his body can handle taking on anywhere close to the kind of role he's had in previous seasons. I can understand why that was hard to handle at the beginning of the season. 3 time All Star, and generally thought of as one of the top 3 or 4 guards in the league before the injuries. His attitude was not good then, but I really don't blame him. That's a lot to accept (in a short amount of time) that at 26 you have to change your game, playing time, and role with the team. But the reality has had some time to sink in now, and that reality is (as unfair as it is) that his body won't allow him to play at that level anymore. So what do you do? You get mad, you grieve, and then you snap out of it and play the hand you're dealt. He still may be able to play at a high level, but not for 35-40 minutes/game for 82 games. I'd like to give him a chance to accept the challenge of being a contributor, but not "the man". I also think that if he's 80% - 90%, he should start eventually. But much remains to be seen. We don't even know that 5 games into this he regresses again physically and has to start sitting out again. So bring him off the bench as he even suggested himself for a while and start slow. 10 - 15 minutes. This might work out okay minutes wise. Camby is coming back soon, and I think the odd men out are going to be Dante and Joel (if Joel is even still here). Depending on how much Brandon can handle the ball it probably means Patti's PT is gone as well. That said, there's still enough minutes for Brandon, Wesley, Nic, & Rudy, especially while Brandon's minutes are being kept to a minimum. Even if Brandon wanted major minutes right away I don't think Nate would allow it for several reasons. He knows that team chemistry has been good recently, and he also knows that Brandon could go back on the shelf at any minute. His injury isn't one you rehab, get back healthy and put behind you. It could rear it's ugly head at any time. I'm not going to worry right now about Andre vs Brandon, or how his minutes will affect the roles/PT of Wesley, Nic, & Rudy. We'll cross that bridge later. I'm just happy to see he's coming back. We're all a little nervous of how this will affect the chemistry and PT of the other guys, but I say keep an open mind. Remember that 80% of the guy you see below is still a good thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHLvMap6krU
Lets try to get some answers is the bottom line for me: if he feels good and docs have cleared it this is what I prefer to see - we NEED to find out if he can play, what level, and for how long and how many minutes. Otherwise it's an unknown and it makes it hard for Cho and mgmt to pursue various avenues. If it's bad and he's hobbled again after several games then we know he's likely done. If he can play at a solid level for 25 minutes a game and maintain that, then we find out something important. I am glad to see him back, especially as it may help us decide his ultimate outcome.
I'm looking forward to Brandon coming off the bench as a passer and a jump shooter. Maybe even to play some point guard. Heck, New Brandon might be the perfect PG to play next to Old Brandon! I'm leery of the chemistry factor, but I'm going to stay optimistic that Brandon knows he has to reinvent himself, he has been watching how his teammate operate, effectively, and he has an idea how to fit in.
The Game Thread for Roy's first game back has the potential to be a classic. Roy missed shot : HE SUCKS AND IS SELFISH!!! Roy makes a shot: BROY IS THE BEST!!! Roy makes a shot out of an iso: ROY IS BOGGING DOWN THE OFFENSE!!! Should be a hoot.
Blazers win 94-92 on that shot... ROY BALL IS BORING!!! WOULD HAVE WON BY 14 W/OUT ROY!!! NO CHALUPA!!!
Terrible news, in my opinion. Roy is rushing to get back on the court again, just like he did last year during the playoffs. Him coming back too early may have contributed to the knee problems he's had this year.
How could that have caused his current knee problems? I am not saying you are wrong, I just honestly have no idea why the two would be related. He didn't suffer an injury in the playoffs after coming back, so I'm not sure how him coming back earlier than you think he should have would cause him to have pain/discomfort in his knees now. It sounds like it is a chronic condition that has no relationship to Roy playing in the playoffs.
A. Last year Roy rushed back less than a week after surgery that involved removing a major chunk or perhaps all of his meniscus. That's quite a bit different situation than starting a comeback 3-4 weeks after a minor scoping that just cleaned out the joint. B. There's no evidence at all that him coming back so quickly after surgery last season had anything to do with him having problems on the other knee this year. From what I read, he started the season with no problems and then had a flareup after a few weeks. C. This year he waited until the medical staff cleared him before starting discussion about coming back. D. Unlike last year's playoffs where he tried to immediately return to his old role, Roy's said that he's planning on working his way back by coming off the bench and expects his minutes will be kept down initially. E. McMillan has said that Roy's talk about the timing of his return is premature until they see how his knees handle a couple of practices. F. He's got to try a comeback at some point and whenever he does, some folks are bound to say it's too soon.
I pulled a "Trail Blazer" last month. Blew my ACL and Lateral Meniscus (With bone bruise) snowboarding. Now surgery tomorrow. I feel like "MRIse with us" is a great slogan. I also feel the players pain, this shit sucks!
Wow. Bumm-er. I tore my Labrum in my shoulder in two places playing basketball back when Batum had the same injury. It seemed kind of ... ironic. I sure wish I'd had his level of rehab, personal trainers, and physical therapy though. And been 20 years younger, LOL. Hope it all goes well for you.
has no one else noticed that Roy's going to have 5 games before the trade deadline, last one being against the L*kers? Maybe that's why he's coming back quickly?
