From the Columbian: http://www.columbian.com/weblogs/blazerbanter/2011/mar/04/same-old-song-different-beat/ And for those who are concerned about Roy getting more minutes, check out the column on Blazers Edge: http://www.blazersedge.com/
Well I want to see Roy's Minutes increase because he isn't really effective in 5 minute stretches, but if his minutes increase and we see a regression of LeMonster yank his ass out and sit him tell he learns to feed the beast.
He didn't look like a shadow of his former self against Denver. I don't think anybody, Roy included, knows what his new normal is going to be. I'm in favor of giving him more minutes and finding that out.
The trouble with his injuries isn't that he's going to be completely debilitated, it's that we'll likely see him feeling good once in awhile and he'll look like his old self, but with the rapid fire pace of NBA games, recovery becomes a real problem. In the meantime if he hasn't adopted a more low impact style of play, he's going to be up and down and building any kind of continuity with his teammates is going to be nearly impossible. I'd much rather see him transform himself into a spot up jump shooting role-player who can sustain a certain style and level of play several pegs below his peak, game after game than to try and be super assertive Brandon one night and then gradually (or not) diminish in his affectiveness as the games pile up. The key is to get to a point where you know what you're going to get from him nearly every night. So you're right that he looked really good against Denver, but in the 2 games that came on the heels of that performance he looked far less mobile on defense and far less affective playing as a primary ball-handler.
The entire team looked like crap in those two games, so it's hard to say if it was because of his knees or simply because everybody in a Blazers uniform was out whack. Also, as I've said in other posts, I think a big part of the problem with Brandon has been using him in such short spells that he never gets loose and into a rhythm. I'm not looking for Brandon to be the All-Star version, but I think that with more minutes he has a chance to find a role where he contributes. I think you're right that he needs to become more of a spot-up jump shooter, but that's going to take PT to accomplish. There seems to be concern around here that Brandon is going to dominate the ball and cause Aldridge to take a more subservient role, but I really can't see Nate or Aldridge allowing that to happen. Whatever happens, it's going to be an interesting experiment to see how it works out.
LaMarcus has said on more than one occasion that "this is Brandon's team." And maybe it's jut a coincidence, but since Brandon has been reinserted into the lineup it sure seems like the team has drifted away from running the offense through LMA ... so yeah I'm concerned.
Nic you are usually so logical. Not sure why you have a blind spot here. Once again since Roy has been back, they did not go away from LMA against the Lakers, or Denver, or Atlanta (Until he got hurt) Or Sacramento. So really we are talking about the Houston game when for some reason he has problems with smaller quicker guys guarding him (In this case Chucky Hays) But they got down so big and quickly I throw this one out. I just don't see this as a problem . I was concerned that Nate was going to use the No PG line up with Rudy and Roy, but thankfully he saw that as a failure. But overall I just don't see Roy dominating the ball. I think you need to look at Camby and Wallace as a bigger factor during the Houston game, not Roy. But they both looked more comfortable against the Kings. I just don't share your concern.
Brandon scored 10 points in 21 minutes on 4-10 shooting, had 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal. The team was +11 with him on the floor. To my eye, he played solid D and never tried to dominate the ball. Solid game.
I agree. Brandon looked good out there. He's going to help us. We just need to learn the best way to fit all the pieces together.
I just watched the game for the second time as I fast forwarded to the second unit. Brandon's stats were mis-leading in the first half. His biggest asset with this unit (where Mills was the PG) was he got the ball to wide open shooters. They missed, so no assist. But with time I think that will improve. No one can possibly say there was any ISO. Alot of ball movement with quick passing. I am hopeful that Brandon, Rudy, and Mills (Along with two bigs) will be a good second unit.
