ROY comments on our offense - is there a problem here?

Most of this I've addressed in my responses to you and andalusian, but to put it simply: I think Roy's greatest demonstrated strengths are his ability to get to the hoop and his ability to pass. Adding more elements to his game simply means his "game" will be more diverse. He may still go to his biggest strengths most of the time...but having other weapons in his pocket are good for both Roy and the Blazers.

I hate to keep harping on the example, but since this "side of the debate" keeps being framed as hostility to Roy: Was Jordan "deferring" when he spent large portions of games coming off screens to get backdoor passes or to catch and shoot? Is Kobe deferring on his many catch-and-shoots? It's not about deferring. It's about more ways to attack.

 

Bryant does a lot off the ball. Wade doesn't because he's not a good shooter.

Jordan scored a ton off the ball.

Sure, let's not "shove our three-time All-Star" into a role that only losers like Jordan and Bryant utilized often.

 

I do not think we disagree generally, I just do not think that playing off the ball is the most important thing for Roy. He worked on it, and that's great, and we will see if he can "make money" on it, but at the same time, it is clear that Roy does not dominate the ball as much as other superstars in this league. There is nothing bad with Microsoft spending money on Search as long as they ensure they can make all there is to make from Office - and to be honest, we really do not know that we have got everything from what Roy can do if he is more ball dominant.

At the end of the day - if Roy tells us that he is going to do some stuff like last year, and some stuff that were done more 2 years ago when the team and Roy were more dominant, while also working on off-the ball catch and shoot - I see it as a good thing. Not as a doom and gloom thing.

 

I don't know if it's the most important thing. Being able to use the team's best player in more ways is fairly important.

I think the most important thing for Roy is getting better on defense. On offense, I think he potentially has more gains he could realize from getting good at playing off the ball than by trying to squeeze slightly more out of what he's already great at. Gains are not linear...the better you get at something, the less you can improve at it. Diminishing returns. At some point, the returns of pouring more resources into your strength are less than you can realize by pouring resources into an area you are weak. That's why companies like Microsoft branch out.

Is Roy at that point? I have no idea. None. That's for him and the coaches to determine. I just am open to idea that playing off the ball can make Roy better and the Blazers better. This is the type of experimentation I support for pre-season. Figuring these things out.

 

I agree. I already posted that in this thread. Which is why the criticism toward him deferring on offense does puzzle me. I don't understand it. If that makes me "thick-headed", so be it.

 

What the hell is going on between Roy and Miller. These 2 have never sat down and had a conversation off the court. The leader of the team and the vet PG don't get together and talk about how to win with this roster? Heck Miller had that conversation with the Blazer brass . . .. Nate was impressed Miller knew so much about the Blazers and ideas about the roster. How is it that Roy and Miller have never discussed this?

I put this on both players . . . Miller has a history of this and Roy usually gets along with players, so I got to think Miller has set the tone, but Roy needs to be a bigger person get past whatever it is that is going on.

These two can play together. But right now it is Roy being all about Roy and Miller is being his usual anti-social self . . . .and I just can't believe the backcourt have never really sat down and talked . . . this is not normal, right?

 

Roy is on quoted record in embracing Weslely Matthews and what he can do for the team. Roy is even on record saying he can envision Matthews becoming a Martell/Outlaw buddy for Roy.

Miller grows out his hair in the summer. That's pretty much what I, and I'm guessing his teammates, know about him.

 

Anyone got a link to Roy's interview on 95.5?

 

They are talking about it on the game now. I guess Roy sent a text to J. Quick. Making it clear this wasn't meant to be a selfish move. It's what he thinks is best for the team. I believe he believes that, I'm just not sure it's right.

 

I agree with this. When I read at the start of camp that they hadn't yet talked off the court, I was shocked. Seems they both may be stubborn about it. I think McMillian should convince Roy to have a sit down with Andre.

 

You've made a solid point here, and have made it more than once in this thread. And, in previous topics, I have seen you make the same point, showing how it is not Roy changing FOR Miller. I notice how PapaG always ignores these posts. He'd prefer to try to paint the argument as people choosing Miller over Roy.

 

++1

 

Oooh, double plus 1! That's better than plus 2, no?

 

Sure is. It also happens to satisfy the requirement for 3 characters.

 

Show me where any of those numbers have something to do with Jordan constantly improving his game and only then will you get a cookie.

 

Show me where any of those numbers mean Jordan didn't or did improve his game.

Plus, a cookie? You're better than this.

 

Totally untrue. I already answered that in this thread. Why did you ignore it in your flame post?

Short of a Chris Paul at PG, I want Roy to have the ball in his hands more than he did last season. I guess I don't find this as an extreme position, but you and the boyz seem to be high-fiving about it.

 

Hmm, I put PapaG, YOU replaced it with BGrantFan.

 

I do admit this. If defending the position that Brandon Roy should be the focus of the offense brings me derision, and that role could even be expanded, then I am totally fine with holding that position.

Get back to high-fiving each other over whatever points you were making.

 

Do you have any opinions? Or is "+1" your macro? What is your major issue with me in this thread, tag-a-long?