I don't think he's "really" a point guard. But if he has to have the ball in his hands to be fulfilled, and if Roy's fulfillment is the "team's" primary goal, that's one way to do it. By the way, there is no "Pecking Order" in "Team."
Well after reading how much he wants the ball, and how much he wants to dictate. I can see why alot of people would propose this idea... It makes sense if you're allowing Roy to do all of that, otherwise we have a wasted position, which I think we do now, w/Blake in there. EDIT: BBERT beat me to it.
Actually, I think Rudy and Brandon combined needs no designated PG or SG. They both have such an array of skills and talent that they could just have whomever is closest to the ball take it upcourt which would automatically give us a jump on offense. Both know how to read the defense, both are excellent passers, both have shooting range...
Which is the truth. Roy is the best PG on the team. When the team realizes that and organizes around that, they will move on. As long as they keep trying to keep below average players happy, they will not. I can't even understand why they are trying to do what they are doing. Put in your best 5, and let them play together, get chemistry, and figure out how to win games together. The rest will fall into place.
I don't think you've thought this through. We know you much prefer the high-flying, up-and-down style that Roy seems to despise. How could you watch the Blazers with Roy at point?
I had already read the article and didn't find it disturbing and didn't come away thinking Roy doesn't get "it". What I do feel though, is that Nate doesn't get "it". ... First, they had the majority of last year to work on this. I never understood why he had Oden come off the bench so much last year because it stunted their growth as a unit. It was almost like he was just trying to postpone the inevitable. I'm well aware Oden wasn't a world-beater last year, but they still needed to get use to playing with each other. Second, Nate has since had the entire off-season, training camp, the entire pre-season, and almost 1/4 of the regular season to figure out an offense that gets all three involved. So Nate, nobody expected it "to happen overnight", but you've already had "some time". It is not rocket science to create an offense that gets three players a lot of touches. The problem is Nate's offense. When half the offense is nothing more than an isolation one-on-one play, or watching Blake try to dump the ball down to Oden for 10 seconds so Oden can then try to back his way under the basket, clearly there's not going to be any ball movement... meaning guys won't be involved half the time. Not to mention it's extremely easy to defend and extremely predictable. The result: So as much as I respect Nate as a coach, he unfortunately hasn't shown he can create an offense that is anything more than this. So Nate, I'll make it real easy for you - Go watch the Lakers offense and see how they successfully get Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum involved. Then do that. It's called ball movement, moving away from the ball and getting the ball on the move. Figure it out. No, you calling plays isn't part of it. You changing your entire offensive philosophy is all of it.
I actually view the fact they were getting together to meet and discusss differences as a positive step forward. What I would be more worried about is if the communication had stopped, and the players had separated into "cliques". Right now that does not appear to have happened, but what we do have is frustration from players and coaches. Out of all my worries, my biggest worry is that Nate isn't open minded enough. We will know we have serious trouble if they continue to skid and have to have a team meeting. A second team meeting of that sort is a kiss of death.
Actually, after reading the article, I think there should be more "flowing offense" with Roy calling the shots. I think the game would be much easier for Oden as well, because I suspect Roy would get him involved more, just on his terms. Kinda like how it was in L.A. with Kobe and Shaq. When they both went to L.A. Kobe was a talent, not yet grown, and Shaq was an already established dominant force. Instead of trying to force Kobe to grow, they kept giving it mainly to Shaq and letting Kobe get a play or two. Then Kobe came in on his own, about 3-4 years into the league. Then Shaq got the first 2 quarters and Kobe took over the second half. I think this is the best case scenario for Portland. Give the money man the keys, Have Nate influence and work on the guys in practice and only call time outs when it's really out of hand and let the flow of the game come back to the team.
This can be really simple. 1. Move Roy to point. 2. Insert plays with Roy and Oden working together. 3. Alternate plays with Roy/Oden, Roy/Aldridge based upon matchups. 4. SF is a shooter for spacing. 5. SG is a shooter and a person who can manufacture their own shot. (In other words, I am saying make Rudy/Bayless the SG) Make sure one of the big 3 is on the floor as a scorer with the bench players in order to ensure floor presence continuity, and get them extra scoring looks to keep them happy. Whoever is in the game with the bench unit is considered a scoring "horse". Max bench players in at once: 3. 2 starters in at all times. Everybody else on the team STFU and wait for your time, and provide a body to practice against. Lasty, actually run some practices doing running plays to sharpen that part of the game. We just need to move up into the middle of the pack. It's that simple.
I also said I thought Roy should play 3 (Absolutely a wrong choice). And I do think we should feed the Beast, but not the way we are. It's like Feed, and advertise we are, instead of keeping the D guessing. Instead the defense just watches how we set up and sets their defense for the play, even before we break past half court. But I do think Oden right now, is like how Kobe was 3 years into the league. Already getting more shots and starting to take over the 4ths. Oden can establish some paint in the first two quarters. Let the Bigs get into foul trouble. But shit, if these guys make me worried when they try and set their offense. I don't have confidence we will score, and this includes against shitty teams. It's just a weird vibe.
This and give Roy 3-4 options all the time bringing the ball up the court. It's like we already are advertising who's going to get the damn ball.
What's frustrating is Nate is acting like this is a new revelation. Oh my God, we have three guys who should get lots of touches on offense! Who saw that coming, besides the majority of the Portland fanbase for two fucking years. How can you not at least have a semblance of a plan at this point? These guys have been billed as the 3 cornerstones for a long time, did Nate really believe Oden would never need to be involved on offense? Did he work on this in the preseason? Fuck no, instead he wanted to spend that time experimenting with his starting lineup and tinkering with his rotations every game, as if he still wasn't sure Oden deserved to start... He also seemed to insist Oden work almost entirely on defense/rebounding instead of offense, as if that would somehow prevent him from having to figure out how to get all 3 involved on offense. Now all his procrastinating, indicision, and inability to predict an obvious future is biting him in the ass.
BINGO! Is Miller vs. Blake more important than involving the Big Three, or more importantly, Getting Oden involved offensively? Christ, get a clue Nate and stop using Oden's "Foul trouble" as an excuse. If Oden gets in trouble, then resort to Roy ball, until then, give the Big man the minutes!
