Crazy to see all the players. Even Buck in the background with a bow tie. Totally forgot that Stojakovic was with Dallas. And Jason Kidd as a player! Patty, Batum, Gerald Wallace, Marcus Camby... And Brandon Roy doing it all with no knees. My eyes are just a little sweaty today.
Roy was an amazing player. Seems like he was a combination of Lillard and CJ. Finished at the rim like Lillard and able to create space out of nothing on the perimeter.
He had that sneaky, herky-jerky, can get my shot off against anyone at anytime ability C.J. shares, only in a bigger and stronger, but unfortunately, less durable body. It was so good to see him have that final glorious moment as a Blazer. BNM
Yeah, Roy had a sneaky athleticism--it was almost like a magic trick watching him drive through traffic and emerge with a basket without seeming to explode over, through or around people. I didn't like the draft pick because I thought Roy was too low upside, without the requisite athleticism to be an elite NBA player. I was way off, but years later I read an interview with Roy in which he said he purposely didn't attack the rim for dunks in college because he didn't want to rely on his athleticism, he wanted to work to round out his skillset. It all made sense then.
I was courtside at this game. I was crying the last few minutes of the game. Real tears. It was amazing.
Big reason for me loving Dame: he didn't give us time to cry about Brandon, it's like the basketball gods sent him as a replacement.
With great size for his position, instead of being a shrimp like them. Which made him much more unstoppable at the rim than Lillard in the last minute of the game.
I don't know about "great height". He was 6' 6", which is certainly taller than CJ and Dame and more fitting of a shooting guard. I'd love to have a 25 year-old version of Roy with good knees. Lillard's improved at finishing at the rim this year to where I'd say he's pretty close to what BRoy could do.
Size, not just height. He was so husky that 45% of his minutes were played at forward. Because of that shot versatility, Lillard isn't half the player Roy was in clutch moments. Roy's winning shot (usually obtained under the basket) was almost guaranteed. Lillard's (usually long shot because he's tiny) is less than 50-50.
We are so fortunate to have Dame. The Wallace trade to New Jersey was the best trade in franchise history. We lost Roy, Aldridge, and Oden for nothing and we're still a playoff team. Amazing.