Drexler was notorious for coasting in preseason. He hated practicing too. Can't blame a player for not caring when it doesn't count.
Drexler also could never go to his left and had to put his head down when he dribbled. He was a notoriously lazy player, and a lousy coach, because he had very little personal discipline. Let's not use Drexler as a model for good behavior.
We are using Clyde as a comparison because he is a hall of famer who was the biggest star we had til Brandon came around. Last night on the Rockets broadcast he admitted he chilled and took the preseason off. Said he told Adelman things were hurting even if they weren't so he only had to play 5 minutes. There is no reason to be worried about Brandon.
First, the excuse was that Andre Mlller didn't play the way the team wanted him to. Then, the excuse was that Blake was having a bad year. Then, the excuse was that the injuries made it invevitable that Roy was sucking. Then, the excuse was that Miller needed to control the ball, so Roy wasn't getting it in his hands enough. Then, the excuse was that he was injured. Almost as if he had been faking, when he suddenly wanted to play, he came back in the playoffs. Yeah right, a real injury. Now what is this miscreant's excuse??? Now we have an ample replacement in Matthews. YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED, BUM!!!!!!
Clyde has also stated that he'd often eat hotdogs at halftime, not exactly performance food. It seems he could have gotten more out of his ability from afar yet it can't be denied that he was HOF great. Of course Big Bill was doing coke and LSD during his playing days and his vegetarian diet may have contributed to his health issues. sometimes greatness just is STOMP
I went to a Blazers - Sixers preseason game in Corvallis years ago to see Clyde. I sat in the front row under the basket. Charles Barkley was playing hard, talking, entertaining the crowd. I took a walk and passed Clyde strolling in the hallway, wearing a suit, looking happy, relaxed and fit as a fiddle. Just sayin'. I think Brandon is working on his game. I expect he'll be just fine; maybe even an All Star. Preseason = Practice
Why does that matter? He did what he did on the court. The past is done. Whether he was giving 5% or 105%, it doesn't change what I think of him as a player. Ed O.
The Blazers need more preseason hustle guys like Dan Dickau and Charles "Spider" Smith and less lazy, selfish oafs like Brandon Roy, Clyde Drexler, and Bill Walton if they're every going to turn things around.
Holy Crap! I think you forgot to dis Maurice Lucas, Terry Porter, Jerome Kersey and Pippen since you appear to be trying to talk shit about Portland's best/most beloved players. You may have watched for 40 years but I think you are a fanemy of the Blazers instead of an actual fan.
You are arguing results and actual achievments. Others, mostly religious, argue intent, effort, mindset, using "god-given" talents to their full potential, etc.
During the season? Link? Revisionist history. As for the other posts, when you are as good as Drexler, you don't have to work every second like a scrub does. You'll find that in every field. He was the 2nd best guard of his day after Jordan. If he'd worked every second, he still wouldn't have moved up a notch. You can put out "enough" effort without putting out 100% effort.
