He rarely uses his explosiveness. What he does--I think better than anyone else in the league--is use that cast iron transmission of his. He goes from first to fifth and back to first with no loss in torque better than anyone. And not using his explosiveness all the time is a wonderful thing. He lulls his opponent to sleep and then once every few games you'll say to yourself, "Holy *&^%! Did he just do that?"
Absolutely. Roy is maybe one of the craftiest players in the league; he's somehow able to transform average NBA quickness (which is not the same as leaping ability) and make it seem like he's blowing by people, because of his hesitation moves. So this idea that he doesn't use his "explosiveness" is pretty funny to me -- he doesn't really have much, but what he does have he maximizes.
couldn't disagree more. Dude is among the elite in the league in this regard and proves it nightly in his drives to the hoop. Average NBA quickness does not get him by his man and finishing over and around Bigs... just wow! do we disagree here STOMP
The best part is that he already plays like a 12-year veteran, and could sustain this level of play another 10 years without losing that "athletic advantage" so many young players rely on.
Just one example, but do you notice how high Bayless jumps when he is finishing around the rim? And how Roy stays way closer to the ground? I've also never seen Roy jump as high as Bayless can on a rebound or anytime on defense.
Reminder: Roy shot 7 of 19 in his last game (vs Dallas). Bayless is shooting 46.3% from the field this season. Brandon only 45.2%.
Fuck Jordan, Wilt, Magic, Russell, and Bayless.... I bring to you.....obviously the best player in the history of the NBA judging by his first start which we all know is the end all be all..... http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=AstZwFI7s4iJMMkgnZIAa_UMPqB4?gid=2008111512
That's a huge difference. You're right, Bayless is better than Brandon. PER Brandon 20.04 Jerryd 18.53 Oh wait.
What are you getting at then? It's obvious Roy is better than Bayless. I must totally be missing the point of this thread.
Let's rephrase the question in more pragmatic terms. 2 years from now, let's say it is apparant that Oden is a bust. Do you keep Bayless (at around $3 million) and try to unload Roy (at around $16 million) in an effort to restructure the team? Assuming that Bayless reaches his full potential - is the difference between him and Roy worth that big of a salary cap impact? Conversely, let's say that 2 years from now, Oden really has become a "once in a generation" center.....but he and Roy can't coexist. Do you trade Oden, or trade Roy and hand the keys to Bayless? (again assuming Bayless reaches his full potential) Obviously, this is all hypothetical. My only point, is that I wouldn't be so positive that Roy is a "Blazer lifer". If this season proves anything, it is that things always can (and usually will) get worse.
