I bet Brandon Roy wouldn’t be at that Olympic “camp” even if he had a 5-year deal
The Oregonian wrote today what everyone has known for days now, that Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge will not be attending that Olympic camp in Las Vegas.
Ostensibly, it’s because neither have signed contract extensions. But what everyone is missing is, if you’re Brandon Roy, even if you’ve got a five-year deal in your back pocket, you don’t go to this camp. No way. What, you’re going to go work out against the likes of (and yes, these guys are all going to be there) Thaddeus Young, Anthony Randolph, Jerryd Bayless, Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver for a week?
Geesh, I assume Brandon Roy has already separated himself from that sort of riff-raff.
There are now 23 players scheduled to be there, but even though they’ve said they would play again the next time around do you see LeBron or Kobe on the list? Of course not. D-Wade? Chris Paul? Nope. This camp is for the guys trying to fill the back half of that Olympic roster. While Aldridge would increase his chances of making the team by being there, Roy is at the level already where if he’s going to be named to the team he’s not going to need any tryout camp to do it.
The NBA knows what he can do. If they don’t want him on the team, no tryout camp is going to help him.
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | July 21, 2009
Brandon Roy, Dwight Jaynes, LaMarcus Aldridge, U.S. Olympic basketball
Dwight, I would hope that Roy doesn’t think that way. He’s still a long way away from being too good to compete against the players on that list.
Sounds like you want Roy to be humble to a fault.Not cool.
Graham, I certainly would like Roy to stay hungry and humble, but let’s be honest, he clearly is too good to compete with at least most of the players at that camp for a spot on Team USA.
DC, let’s not forget that Oden will be at this camp as well. It’s never too soon to work on that chemisrty, and I think we can all agree that Oden will get more looks this year.
…Roy certainly doesn’t need to work on his chemistry with anyone.It may be his number one intangible edge over players like Kobe and Wade.I know the All-Star game is a joke but have you noticed how easily Roy meshed with his peers?Not every player can do that even in that venue.Greg on the other hand assuredly needs the extra reps.By the way,I think Oden will be a fine player and not disappoint in the least.
Oh come on! He doesn’t need to work with his chemisrty with anyone? The All-Star game is a pretty poor example to base your point on. They don’t play any defence at all! And yes Oden will be fine, but Roy needs to work work work with him in order to make BOTH of their lives easier.
Graham … there are no other two-time all-stars in this camp. I don’t know, within the hierarchy of players, you want to put yourself down in this category. Not sure it would work for him. All he could do was not be ready, have someone look better than him and hurt his chances of making the team.
Graham, Roy is absolutely too good to play against those players and risk injury period. Roy is the 3rd best SG in the league after Wade and Kobe. He has nothing to prove.
Roy is 2nd team all NBA, were any of those guys even 2nd rookie team?
I’ll stand by my original point. I hope that he doesn’t think that way.
Graham,
Roy probably doesn’t think that way…but his agent does!
Blazer players are going to need a little more attitude if they are going to win a championship in the NBA. That is why management is looking to bring in some players with more toughness. Millsap, Cunningham, Pendergraph, and even the Turk, all have a dose of attitude. It is real baggage that the Blazers are trying to avoid.
Whatever the reason it is just as well Roy doesn’t attend this. He does not need the additional chance of injury or wear and tear for the up-coming season. I’d never really thought about it like this but I see Dwight’s point. Brandon shouldn’t have to jump thru hoops and rings and try out for the Olympic team any more than a D Will or C Paul. His bona fides are clear and as solid as any.
Dwight, and word on why LA is not going to be at the camp? I mean besides the extension not being done?
Dwight,
You are spot on in this case. Roy last season was already the second most productive shooting guard in the NBA (after Wade) so he doesn’t need this camp to make his case for an olympic team roster spot (that case was made by his play last season).
I know a big reason they are sitting out is because of contract negotiations. However, our team is so reliant on those two to produce that they take a pounding. Frankly, I am relieved they both passed.
I do think it would be good for both Oden and Bayless. They need the experience and I am sure will learn a thing or 2 about themselves and the people they play against
…i hope Baybay doesn’t torpedo into Greg’s knees.
LA doesn’t even need to ball with those fools.He’s ahead of them too.If the Blzrs progress as they should then LA will be on the Olympic team.If the Blzrs suffer mishaps then he won’t be on it.He’s already darn snazzy and he will get better!
I dont think Roy had surgery on his pinkie yet either, just another reason to not play.
I don’t think he has had surgery on the bone spur in his heel either.
My biggest concern is that this means BRoy and LA will never be invited back to play for Team USA during the Olympics. Team USA is an entity seperate from the NBA with its own management. They are by no means required are inclined to have people on the team just because they happen to be top NBA players. Like everyone else they want people who are willing to commit to the team. Remember the mantra leading up to Beijing was that being on Team USA was a three year commitment.
This concerns me for Roy in particular because he has the chance to be the best player to ever wear a Blazer uniform. Playing and winning in the Olympics is just below winning NBA championships when looking at a player’s historical significance, Hall of Fame etc. Its huge. Truely great players who cherish the game know that. They relish the oppurtunity to play on that international stage.
I guess I can understand a guy not wanting to risk losing more money that he has ever seen in his life to a fluke injury. But I still think its kinda lame. They are basketball players who are being invited to go play basketball. Its not like they are being asked to make a celebrity skydiving appearence. They are no more likely to get hurt at this mini camp then they are playing off-season basketball, which they should be doing anyway.
They can try to hide behind the “I have just got to look out for me and mine.” The reality is we all do, but we do so without disrespecting the game, or what I refer to as the Sacred Ballet
…sacred ballet LMFAO.I will take a Blazer championship over one of our guys winning the gold with the olympic team anytime.If hisRoyness doesn’t get injured he will be on the next olympic team.So relax ye ol patriot.
I don’t think Brandon should go, either; pointless risk for him and the team.