Jason Quick thinks so: http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2011/03/blazers_brandon_roy_rediscover.html Unfortunately, I didn't see the game. Is Quick right--was Roy back to his old form?
Probably best he's looked this year, he took it to the rim very nicely, but we must temper our enthusiasm and see how his knees hold up - Brandon basically said the same. But if he can play like this for 25 minutes a game it's a huge boost.
Don't know if it will last. And I wouldn't say he has the hops he had 2-3 years ago, but he was scoring at will against both Kidd and Stevenson. (From all over the court and in a variety of ways. I don't expect him to shoot like that every game, but if he does he will once again command a double team. He was getting in the lanes and to the basket. He was soooooo clutch tonight in the 4th that it did feel like old times.
Roy looked good, but the Mavs perimeter D was fairly awful as well. I'd like to see him have a similar game against someone other than Jason Kidd. Still, it was a very good sign.
Roy had enough hops to put down a probably ill-advised alley-oop pass he received. With his knees, who knows if this can be a regular thing or not, but for this game at least, he looked like the guy who earned 3 All-Star bids.
The great thing is Roy is being very realistic about it. He had an interview with the staff at NBA.com tv and said he is just taking it one day at a time. It sure seemed like Roy was having fun out there. He was almost smiling every time he made a basket. It almost was tear jerking for me.
god i hope so, didnt get a chance to see the game, but hot damn, we have been playing great without our 3 time all star and unquestioned team leader, cant hurt to have him back to his old self
I agree. I was thinking, "No, no, no...YES!!", and then watching to make sure he didn't crumple to the floor afterward.
Well, I think it was said that we would see games like this..... The old Brandon would come back, and then he wouldn't be as effective for a couple of games. I'd really like to see him string together three or four games like last night before I'd say "he's back". I'm really hoping he can play like he did though. Brandon was never someone who relied heavily on jumping out of the building, but he did rely on his first step, so if he can demonstrate that he still has that quickness (or something like it), I'd be a very happy Blazers fan
his jumping ability isn't affected by his lack of cartilage as his muscles & tendons are probably as strong as ever. It's his landing ability. Roy still has game, how his body recovers from the stress of playing will determine how often he can show it. I suspect it's going to be an up and down ride with him STOMP
Yeah I'm feeling the same way. Felt really good watching him play so well; but I'm hoping for a nice 3-4 games playing at this level.
BTW... I loved watching BRoy smile after every shot. It was almost like he knew what was happening and was so thankful for it.
No, we didn't see the 3-time All-star last night. He looked better than he has all season, but he was nowhere near his peak form of a couple years ago. He did make some nice drive / slashing / cutting plays and finishes. However, many of his moves resulted in very difficult fadeaway jumpers that he was able to make... last night. I wouldn't expect him to make the shots he did last night at such a high percentage, because they were very difficult shots. In the past, instead of resulting in fadeaways, his attempts would have resulted in finishes at the rim. So, no... the "old" Roy isn't "back". But if he can play near the level he played at last night, he will make our team better.
Do we really want the "Old Roy"? If Roy can give a good performance late 3rd and 4th quarters, it will be great for our team. I like the limited minutes and I think Roy looks as though he likes this new gig. It really allows him to put his peddle to the metal for the short amount of time on the floor. Will he always put up these numbers? Chances are no. But I really agree with you that he will make our team better and right now that's all that matters.
You mean "3-time All-star and All-NBA second team Old Roy"? Yes, I think we would LOVE to have the "old" Roy back. But we won't, and we didn't last night. But considering the way things were looking a couple months ago, I'll gladly take the Roy we saw last night.
I think we should thank LMA for stepping up because Beast-Mode LMA makes it easier for Roy to play like Old Roy. 2008 Roy played amazing with no other player in the game demanding a double-team. Now, LMA is an automatic double, which means Roy and LMA can play a pick and roll two-man game that will make defenses scream in frustration. If they hesitate to double Roy on the pick, Roy can drive past them without having to make crazy lateral moves. If they double Roy immediately, one or two passes gets the ball to LMA on the pop. New LMA will allow New Roy to look like Old Roy in the 4th by dominating quarters 1-3.
Roy looked good. Some of the moves were vintage Roy - the scoring at the rim going into the center's chest was one of those moves that separate the men from the boys - I think we will continue to see improvement from Roy with some sub-par games in there as well - but if there is a guy you know will work his butt off and will get the most he can from his body - it's Roy - and that's all you need.
Good point. Hopefully, though, Nate doesn't try to go back to "old" 4th quarter offense of 1-4 sets with Roy trying to go 1-on-5 and not utilizing the new LMA "beast-mode".
I would say about half of baskets last night were at the rim. (4-5) That's about the same percentage he was at in previous years. He always shot those difficult fadeaways and pull up J's. I understand what your are saying though about not finishing the same way. (With reckless abandon) Hoepfully he will stay away from the punishment he received everytime he drove to the basket and ended up on the floor. Those days should be over.
