Wow, so this just confirms what we've been talking about for the past few days. Funny how that works, eh?
I think that might be a case of reading a lot into a little. Is he going to be the same player (athletic wise) as he was 3-4 years ago? Nope. He never really was a great athletic player to begin with. Does that mean he's breaking down and we should trade him? Nope. All player, outside of the top elite players, have to adjust their games. Sounds like Brandon is going through an adjustment phase (in addition to dealing with injuries that he's accrued over his career), and that people are making it out to be a "Ive heard people say he'll barely last another 2 years"
Who said that? I'm just saying that if Roy doesn't have the ability to get to the rack and draw contact and finish the way he used to, this team is going to need to start manufacturing points in another way. Some people might argue that we've needed that all along, but right now I'm not so sure we have another great high percentage scorer. Maybe that's a new and improved LMA (yeesh), a healthy Oden (double yeesh) or Nic.
I disagree. Plus, it's not like he's gone from Vince Carter insanely athletic to Steve Smith at the end of his career. He's gone from Steve Smith at the start of his career to Steve Smith in his 5th year in the league. Plus, we're upset that Roy is trying to not do things that could get him hurt? Really?
Roy's never been a highlight reel guy in terms of athleticism, but he's always had the ability to explode on his first step and he did have a 40 inch vert. The worrisome part is that he may have had just enough athleticism to do what he liked on the court, if he loses even half a step there's no telling how that will trickle down to the rest of his game.
I read that as if he wanted to still do those things he could be he knows the consequences of the pounding it takes on his body overall so he's avoiding it and not necessarily that it's already gone.
What it means is that we desperately need a PG that can attack the basket on a consistent basis to play along side him. Right now Miller is playing pretty damn well. A lot better than what Toronto had last night. (I still shake my head over the Calderon hype from a few years back) But we still need to find the next Monte Ellis.
I agree. This thread is waaaay too gloomy. You guys on here don't know shit. Nobody can predict the future. So any poster on here "keeping it real" is talking out their ass. Could they be proven right in the future? Sure. Any monkey can pick heads or tails. Doesn't speak to forecast ability. One thing we can all look to is that as there are the Allan Houston's of the NBA who are never the same we also have players that struggle for a year or two before they find something resembling their old game: Amare; Zach Randolph; etc. Look at Chris Paul this year. He was way off his game last season. Now, he looks All-NBA again. Even Richard Jefferson has turned back the clock on his game. The process - if successful - takes time. Way more time than the patience level of the average fan.
I agree with you more than julius. Roy's game did not feature his explosive athletic ability, but that doesn't mean he didn't use it. They keys: first step and jumping ability combined with his excellent ballhandling allowed Roy to get past defenders virtually at will, get into the paint and finish tough layups with his jumping ability. If he loses half a step, he can't count on getting by every defender, every time. So, he has to start his move sooner, will pass off the ball more, and be harried into more defended long jumpers. None of that is good. Then, if he can't jump as quickly and as high (even a 20% reduction), he won't be able to finish as many tough layups. All will reduce his FG%, as we have seen this season - and other times in the past when he plays hurt. So, either Roy will heal over time and be able to play his old game again; or he morphs his game into more of an older Ginobili type game when he learns to play better off ball, receive the pass while moving toward the hoop, and making himself open for jumpers, emphasize his dribbling ability to get to his spots vs first step, improve his fall-away jumper and take more of them vs straight jumper, improve 3 pt shot to the point that Roy almost always takes it when open - go from 3 or 4 attempts, per game to 5 or 6, improve Free Throw shooting percentage, Or Roy turns into Reggie Miller. Heh.
He's playing this style of game and still putting up the same numbers he has before. I think he's still a top 10 talent.
He's shooting around 40% from the field, he had a nice game last night, but you can't be that inefficient and still be a top 10 talent unless you either get to the foul line ten times a game or defend like a madman. I'd still call him a top 20 player, but based on this year there's been some slippage.
First 7 games last year Brandon shot 41% and averaged 21 ppg. The year before: shot 41.8% and averaged 20.85 Seems that he's pretty much on pace with his usual starts.
Hopefully you guys are right and he's just starting slowly. I'm just saying that my eyes are telling me he's a little more perimeter oriented than I remember. Which bodes well for his health, but not necessarily his shooting percentage
If we can, we should move him while he has value. I appreciate what Brandon has brought to the franchise, but would not be sad to see the end of 1v3 ISO's, Walking on the court and lackluster defense. It would be a painful thing for most Blazer fans, but I think in the long run, the team would be improved.
