Tossing Andre Miller under the bus
Nate McMillan handed the keys to the bus back to Brandon Roy Saturday night, right about the same time both men threw Andre Miller under it.
Hey, I’m no big Miller fan. I don’t like being in a position to defend him, either. He hasn’t played all that well so far. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t something wrong with the way this is coming down. Even after Miller was signed as a free agent, McMillan was reluctant to declare him the starter.
Then, as training camp opened, the coach made it clear he would start the players who earned it. Who played the best. But when Blake didn’t play that well in the exhibition season, he earned the starting nod, anyway.
Yeah, the Blazers played a miserable game Friday at Golden State. Yes, even though they’ve been winning, it’s been obvious Roy hasn’t been pleased with what’s going on. And everyone knows Roy needed to ditch the silly three-guard thing, quit playing small forward and get back to his normal off-guard position.
But come on, let’s get real here. It’s not as if it’s a no-brainer that Miller was the root of all Portland problems. It’s not as if he failed as the team’s starting point guard – he never got the chance to play it alongside Roy in the backcourt. There is no reason to suddenly blame everything on Miller, rather than Blake, the other starting point guard in this three-guard folly.
Why is Miller the problem, rather than Blake?
Because Brandon Roy deemed it so. Roy this season is slightly down from his career numbers in field goal shooting, three-point shooting, rebounds, assists and steals — and up in fouls and turnovers — and he’s pinning it all on Miller. That’s obvious. From the very start, he hasn’t liked Miller taking the ball out of his hands and everyone knew it.
Instead of taking control of the situation, McMillan tiptoed around it by using two point guards instead of one. It’s been all about placating Roy from the start. Why not spend 20 games with Roy being a more traditional off-guard? Learning to play off the ball, learning to move, set picks, get picks, get himself open — without pounding the ball in a spread court. Why not post him up once in a while?
He’d have been a better player for it.
But Roy didn’t want to take himself out of a comfort zone, so Blake right now looks like the most secure player in the NBA. And this change is being made during a stretch of games against mostly powder puff opponents (other than Monday night’s home game against Chicago), guaranteeing a nice little winning streak for the Roy-blessed lineup.
“I want to give the team back to Brandon,” McMillan said before the game. “It’s his team.”
That’s typical NBA coachspeak. It’s “his” team. Well, OK. I suppose then, Coach, you’ll be moving on? Why not just make Roy player-coach?
”There’s only one ball,” McMillan said before the game, although he wasn’t talking specifically about Miller and Roy.
Yeah, sure he wan’t. But by the way, there’s supposed to be only one coach, too. Who is it, Roy or McMillan? Here is what Roy said:
”I feel like we tried it (the three-guard lineup), and you could say it worked at times, but me sacrificing hurt the team, so it should get back to me playing full-out and getting some other guys in other areas to sacrifice a little bit,” Roy said.
Again, Miller is taking the fall for the failure of a three-guard lineup that was doomed from the start because Roy is not a small forward. Why isn’t Blake taking blame? Roy talked about how his own “sacrificing” was certainly a mistake. He said:
“. . . me sacrificing hurt the team…” and “getting some other guys in other areas to sacrifice a little bit.” Wow. Does that stuff make Roy look as bad as I think it does?
And get this:
“This team is going to go off my pulse,” Roy said. “Even if I’m smiling and trying to make it work, if I seem like I’m not totally comfortable, then Martell won’t be. And Rudy (Fernandez) will look like he’s in a funk. And L.A. (Aldridge) will look like he’s in a funk. They have been playing with me for a couple years and if I’m going well, they have more confidence.”
Whew! Those poor guys can’t get a thing done without Brandon Roy’s comfort level being perfect. He’s saying that if he’s pouting, nobody else can play well. Which, I guess, is probably true. And how about this stuff:
And, perhaps more important, the Blazers had what McMillan said would be their long-term starting lineup. His hope is that Miller embraces the opportunity to take over the second unit and flourishes with the control.
“I want both of them to have it. Brandon with that first group can handle a little bit more and Andre with that second group can be aggressive and make his reads,” McMillan said.
I’m sure a guy who has been a starter his entire career, who is considered one of the best point guards in the league, is really excited about taking ownership of the “second unit.”
Look, my advice to Kevin Pritchard is to get Miller out of here as quickly as humanly possible. Get whatever you can for him. Chalk this one up to one big mistake and forget about trying to bring a real point guard to this team — because it’s always going to be Roy.
This is no place for Andre Miller. McMillan wants to play Jerryd Bayless, too — and there’s no doubt now that Roy is the real point guard. You could bring Chris Paul in here and he’s not going to want to give Paul the ball.
And I’d offer this piece of free advice to Nate McMillan: It may be “Brandon Roy’s team” but if that team doesn’t win, Brandon Roy won’t get fired, you will. This is the same mistake that so many coaches make with superstars.
Yes, keep the guy happy. Yes, build the team around him. But that doesn’t mean he knows what’s best for the team and even himself at all times. You see this kind of stuff all the time in the NBA. Yes, it’s a players league. But guess what? Most of these players don’t have a chance to win until the right coach comes along.
And the great coaches know full well that all decisions aren’t easy. And they better remember that they’re hired to coach the players — and not let the players coach them.
Coaches, NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | November 22, 2009
Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Dwight Jaynes, Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers, Steve Blake
Thank you Dwight – Great Article.
I guess the question is what can you get for Miller? He was a FA last summer, so he can’t be traded until 12-15. Assuming everyone wants him for a second, what 3s would be out there? The best fit is Battier, same salary and everything? Houston would no doubt want Rudy (and probably not want miller). Gerald Wallace makes 9.5 million, so we have to give up another 3 million in players, same for Deng, Tayshon, Mike Miller. How about John Salmons? Question is why would Chicago trade him, they certainly wouldn’t want a point guard back, they have Rose, Pargo, Hinrich.
We could send Miller back to Philly for Jason Kapono.
Why didn’t we try to get Shawn Marion? He signed for the about the same salary? Too late now.
How about KP forces Nate’s hand and trades Blake?
Not many choices then either, James Jones, who Miami wants to dump, either becasue he can’t play anymore or is always hurt.
I think we might have to just get through the season and see what next year brings.
Saw a Brandon Bass post on blazeredge. he makes 4.0 the same as Blake.
how about that even up? i’m all for more up front. then waive Pendergraft and sign Stackhouse or Sczerbiak, or some 3 who is at least serviceable.
Great article. It didn’t take long for Roy to turn into a prima donna in the NBA, did it. I’m losing respect for him.
With Jordan Farmar struggling as he is, I bet the Lakers would give a dependable point guard a good look.
Alright, evidently I’m in the minority here but I think it’s simply an assumption that a lot of people are making that this “Andre can’t start for The Blazers” is coming from Brandon.
Yes, Brandon did say he was more comfortable playing with Blake. But Brandon also said he would work to improve his off the ball skills. Brandon also said at one point that he didn’t care who was PG but that he thought we should make a decision and stick to it.
Even recent events suggest to me that Brandon has made great efforts to play alongside Miller. Even if he ultimately did not like it, Brandon did move to SF so Miller could be on the court with himself and Blake. If Brandon was 100% hell bent on NOT playing with Miller then Brandon would of complained right away about the 3 guard line-up.
Given Pre-Season and the comments made by both Andre Miller and McMillan concerning everything from starting, earning the role, conditioning tests and released results make me think the relationship between Miller and McMillan is what went south.
Unless you are behind the scenes who really knows? I’m just not as convinced that this conflict primarily stems from Brandon/Miller anymore than it might stem from McMillan/Miller. I mean Brandon has shown a history of being a facillitator for the team and teammates, whereas McMillan has shown a history of not getting along with PG’s that might have a different style of play or a will of there own.
So really is this McMillan placating Brandon? I’m not so sure. I think this could be McMillan simply being McMillan and Andre simply being Andre…and if they can’t work it out it is a problem.
I tend to agree. I’ve taken some time to absorb the comments and what not, and I just have to think that a lot of us are jumping to conclusions about what’s going on, like I told JD. Maybe McMillan just see’s something we don’t in Blake. He liked Ridnour the same way in Seattle. Or maybe he’s a bit more of a control freak than we realize…It’s about 3 weeks away before KP can trade Miller if that’s what’s going to happen. We’ll know then I suppose how real of a problem it is.
Sorry I don’t buy it.
Roy mannerisms on the field, and lack of hustle, and down right disinternest at times, not to mention his own words “It will be nice to get back to flat out” clearly showed his heart wasn’t in it. Sure, he wanted to get back to SG, but he obviously want Blake as PG, and “others” ie Miller need to make the sacrefices, and adjust to his game.
Why does everyone think Miller is some sort of all-star greatest PG ever? I do not get it. 4 months ago it was “do anything and give anything Brandon wants.” now it is “he is a selfish whinner”. Substaniate why Miller needs his minutes and why he cannot come off the bench. He has never made it out of the first round either people. Maybe this is the roll he needs to be a winner. He had one season in 2001 where he averaged 10 assist a game. Blake is a solid PG. Stop waiting for him to screw up and you might see that he is not terrible. The way I see it, Avery Johnson was a champion PG. He is any better then Blake? I think fans need to check themselves. Greg had one of his best games of the season; stop with the “Greg is not going to score” crap. Blake has had solid games and Stop try to get in the heads of the playes and support your effin team. Get a grip and chill out. Thank goodness you are not coaches and GMs, Saturdays game would have been more of challenge.
“he is not terrible”? keep reaching for those high standards and expectations! Name a team that would start Blake over Miller!!!!!
Only in Portland. It’s sad.
Avery Johnson was a champion point guard for three reasons: 1)Tim Duncan, 2)David Robinson, 3) stout defense. The Blazers have L.A., but that’s it (don’t tell me Greg Oden counts either, because he doesn’t) and their defense doesn’t qualify as championship level …
That’s an additional point. Regardless whether you think this move initiates from Brandon or McMillan the truth also is that despite Miller being our free agent pick up this past summer, McMillan does have to evaluate who plays best with Brandon.
Who are you going to support as coach? A 33 year old PG on probably his last contract? Or your 20 something young Rookie of The Year and 2 time All-Star? To an extent, McMillan is forced to evaluate who Brandon is most comfortable with on the court.
This is not a slam on Miller, but acting like McMillan should NOT evaluate who plays best with Brandon wouldn’t be good coaching.
I also don’t understand this “throwing” Miller under the bus commentary. Seems to me the only thing that got thrown under the bus was the 3 guard line-up. We basicly went back to what we started the season with, so like it or hate it, this isn’t really new. We started the season with Blake as our starting PG and McMillan saying he wanted Miller to be a focal point of our second unit. It makes total sense to me that with the loss of Outlaw, McMillan would want to try and shift more talent to the second unit if possible.
A lot of “negative” assumptions are being made about the How and Why of this move, but the one thing nobody seems to be thinking is perhaps there is nothing at all wrong with this move and perhaps it really simply is what Coach McMillan wants to do. I can believe this, EVEN if personally I think Miller is a better PG than Blake.
Brandon is looking like he wants to remain in his “comfort” zone, and unwilling to “grow” outside it. He appears to want the light shining only on him..It is not team ball. Mark my words, you will see in the near future, increased numbers of unhappy team mates and fans..not to mention a first round exit…again..if we even get that far.
Wow. I wish there was a way that we could forward all these messages to BROY himself.
Talking about it blowing up in his face. I think he really felt that he owned this town. That he was toast of the town. That anything and everything he did would be accepted by all blazer fans.
What a ugly dose of reality for him. Sometimes the cold hard truth can be quite painful.
I actually find it quite comical.
I just wanted to say I am a ball hog and poor teammate and people will turn on me within 3 years. And for good reason.
And my best friend is really Z-Bo!
Andre Miller is not here because he has been a model citizen, a follower, or an obedient piece in a coach’s system (unlike several of the other Blazers). He made his reputation by being a leader on the floor and a competitive personality. Nate wants to control the action on the floor, whether the team is winning or losing, and Miller is an adult, not a wayward child; this is the root of the conflict, in my opinion.
I would much rather see Roy traded while the value is high and a new coach brought in to create a new offense and a workable team defense.
Sidney Wicks and Geoff Petrie were both all stars, but it was not until they left and the team built around Walton that the playoffs became winnable. This team should build around Oden, and that means we need Miller, not Roy.
Ditto!!
You have it completely right. Been saying all along that it is Oden’s team.
A few comments:
1) Perhaps this is why KP chose to go after Miller fourth (after pursuing Turkoglu, Millsap, and Lee). Maybe he knew that Roy needed the ball – maybe (and I’m speculating here) that’s why Nate seemed more outwardly excited about signing Miller than KP.
2) It’s always about the money, isn’t it? After a signing a big-money contract, out-sized expectations and egos soon follow. I thought Roy would be different, but maybe I’m wrong here.
3) I find myself not enjoying the Blazer games this season. The team has the same tendencies (porous defense, predictable offense, minimal running game) as last year. Where’s the progress? The opportunity cost of the two plus hours of watching these games sometimes is too much.
Adomp, Blake is a solid point guard? O.K. humor me, tell me what he does that is solid?? Is it the wonderfull drop passes to Roy so he can then camp out in the corner, his lack of ability to feed the post or run a fast break, the commitment in the air and throw the ball away type passes, the 2-10 consistent outings, the matador defense etc etc?? Tell me what he does that is soo special??
blake is not a solid PG
Blake is one of the worst starting point guards in the NBA
Statistically
All those little things that don’t show up in the box score…….Blake doesn’t do them
Except hold Roy’s jockstrap while Roy showers.
Blake in an elf outfit, “Hey Brandon..Do you want your Jockstrap back yet?…It sure smells good!”
Blake almost gave away the Detroit game all by himself in the 4th quarter. Oh wait, that wasn’t a good thing…
Want to see someone whose skill matches his ego?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Video-Kobe-playin-H-O-R-S-E-hits-over-the-bac?urn=nba,204184
Roy has earned the right to be selfish. All really good NBA players have some arrogance to them. I think everyone is making a big deal out of Roy and McMillan’s comments. Keep in mind, this team won 54 games with a similar starting lineup..minus Oden who this year is having a greater positive impact than last.
I’d argue the future success of this team relies more on Oden, and less on whether Miller starts or not.
This goes back to concerns I (and others) had when we signed Miller. How can two ball-dominating guards co-exist in the starting lineup. Apparently, at this point, they can’t.
If Miller cannot handle being the main guy in our second unit, then let’s ship him out.
He’s earned the right to be selfish? Really? Did I miss a couple of years, where Roy was an MVP candidate, and led the Blazers to a couple of titles? Roy’s better than Kobe now? Or LeBron? Or Dwight Howard, CP or DWade? No – Roy has not yet earned this right.
And his comments ARE a big deal. Did ‘Sheed ever say anything so blatantly selfish? Or Bonzi? Or Darius? Or Stat-Bo? Everyone wants to sweep it aside, since it’s our beloved B-Roy, but this is very very troubling.
Dwight,
Thank you for this post. The last several weeks I’ve been repeating myself over and over — Roy is a PG. He makes plays for himself and others. He penetrates and dishes. He runs the offense. If he’s not a PG, what is he??? How much better would we be starting Roy and Rudy in the backcourt together? Just call Roy the PG and get it over with. Put Rudy at the 2, and let those two get comfortable as our starting backcourt. Find somewhere to move either blake or miller and use the other as the backup pg.
Indeed – if Roy is, in fact, the PG, and I think based on what I read this weekend, that he is, why is Blake the starting off guard, and not Rudy? Another head scratcher from the “coach”.
Because Rudy’s actually a shooter and needs the ball, too. Roy won’t have it.
Almost makes you want Nate to stick all the talent (minus Roy) on the second unit and watch them decimate teams. Let Roy have his 4 scrubs and go 1 vs. 5 every possession.
What about Bayless. He can dribble the ball up court and give it to Roy very well…
Well jeez – we better get rid of him too then. And LMA and Oden while we’re at it.
check it: broy=starting pg
rudy=starting 2
miller=2nd unit pg
bayless=2nd unit 2
and i want to throw this out too..i have played on some very talented teams in my day. there is an interesting stat that just does not exist for stat heads, and that is human confidence. for myself, i have played with a lower confidence level with some players, and more with others. i have played on some great rec teams that have killed with slim talent on the roster. it’s just that we grew up playing together. when i play with “better” teamates, my play is off. look at oden. he is playing a ton better now that he has a smile on his face. nba players are human, not machines
Great article Dwight – nothing meaningful to add. This team will never get far with Nate as the coach, he’s just too stubborn yet at the same time a complete Casper Milktoast when it comes to Roy.
And to answer your question – “Does that stuff make Roy look as bad as I think it does?” the answer is “NO” – it makes him look far worse than bad. He’s fallen prey to the pro-sports malady that side-tracks and ruins so many fantastic players – Ego Giantitis. He no longer thinks he plays on a team, he thinks he IS the team. Egad, get that man some humble pie !!!…but he’ll get a big slice as this season progresses and especially when they are ousted early once again in the playoffs.
oh man this is really turning into a mess! at least their still beating up on the mediocre teams.
Kudos to the doctor for stating the facts and how it really is!!!!!
The group of players that Brandon is compared to by analysts and statisticians is Kobe/D-Wade. Both of them dominate the ball just like Roy. Both have point guards that nobody else wants. Is anyone in these discussions clamoring for Derrick Fisher or Mario Chalmers/Carlos Arroyo? Of course not, but those are the types of players dominant ball handlers have to be surrounded by. Jordan had John Paxson and Steve Kerr.
I’m not implying that Brandon is in the exact same skill level category of Kobe/D-Wade/MJ. But he’s closer to them, than the other typical off-guards.
As far as playing “full out”. I believe Brandon is just honest to a fault. Based on what we have SEEN from Brandon Roy, “full out” meant the role will allow him to play full out, rather than wandering around trying to figure out what he is supposed to be doing within the offense. If you are the hands down best player and frachise leader of the club, with no understanding of your role within the offensive strategy, it’s kind of hard to go “full out”. Sure he may have been a bit mopey, but what we saw was more system related than effort related!
Brandon Roy is really turning into a joke! And Nate has been one for a while. Roy makes me want J.R Rider back! What KP needs to do is move Roy as fast as he can! I’d rather have Rudy and Miller then Blake and Roy!
WELL SAID, Dwight.
Agree with you 110%.
When was the last time a Dwight Jaynes post racked up WHAT???? 125 COMMENTS??? LOL.
All is not right between the fan and the blazers.
Damn that egotistical Michael Jordan! Who does he think he is? A dominant player who has the ball most of the time on offense? Why doesn’t he learn to play off the ball more? He’s never going to get ring with that kind of attitude.
shutup…Roy isn’t Michael Jordan and never will be.
You ain’t Dwight Jaynes and never will be…
Neither one of you is Beyonce.
Even with the great Jordan, Chicago was an early playoff exit team, until the “WHOLE” team started playing at a high level.
And Roy is an all star sub, and has Aldridge and Oden on the roster. Lets keep things in prespective.
Im a big fan of Brandon Roy but its obvious this guy only thinks about himself and how many points he puts up. He says he will do whatever it takes to win, but in the end he thinks he needs the ball in his hands, and that there is no other way. Wow, that’s really putting your team first. You know Brandon, there is other players besides you. Quit whining like a bitch, and start being a team player. Your not Kobe and your not DWade. Your a 2 time all star, so step in the playoffs and actually win something.
Yeah, the guy who is #5 in the NBA in assists at his position is selfish.
Have you guys been watching the games?
Have you? When you have the ball in your hands most of the time and your assists are all kick-outs to Blake…it’s not really being unselfish.
If Martell Webster continues to have games like he did Saturday night, maybe we’re not having this conversation. Then again, it was the Timberwolves.
Wow. I am going to chalk this whole thread up to either drinking and posting or posting while tired.
I can’t believe how quickly you all turned on Roy.
Nothing more to see her folks… get your Denver Nuggets or OKC Thunder jerseys at the door!
Take a breath everyone…
Great post.. I guess everyone forgot about what kind of team we had before Roy got here. The bottom line is this team was better last year when Roy had the ball in his hands. Roy knows it and the organization knows it. Too bad some of the fans don’t know it, but who really cares what those people think because they aren’t on the inside and the don’t make the decisions.. Roy is our franchise player. He’s our Wade, Kobe and Lebron. Their organizations wouldn’t take the ball out of their hands.
No, I think we remember the JailBlazer era all too well.
But I also remember getting bounced out of the first round last year largely because of our one-dimensional offense, and know that with all the talent on this team, we could be so much better if the ball were distributed. Brandon’s comments seem to counter that idea.
You’re right about the playoffs. I do think the offense was too predictable, but I also believe that the blazers were shell shocked because of their youth. There is no question that the Blazers need another player that can create. I just don’t think Miller is that guy. I was an advocate of signing him, but I just don’t see it working now. To me, it’s not Miller’s fault or Roy’s for that Matter. I think the truth is that he shouldn’t have been signed to begin with. I was for, but he just doesn’t fit IMO.
How can you tell it it’s working between Miller and Roy? When have they actually played on the court, in their normal positions at the same time? It was 1 or 2 pre-season games. That’s it. Jeez – Give it 20-30 games, and then let’s see if it’s not working. But don’t just quit because B-Roy had a tantrum.
Great article, but all this Brandon bashing lately has been getting out of hand in the blogosphere world. We’re 10 and 5 people, it’s not like we are losing and he’s saying this. These quotes came after a smashing of the Wolves yet we are still upset with some of Brandon’s quotes, instead of talking about the victory and Marty’s double-double!!!
If anything its Nate’s fault for not setting his rotation in the pre-season. Now we are all over analyzing every little line-up change he does. Brandon said it himself, just pick something and stick with it.
I can’t believe we are getting this mob mentality to run BRoy out of town, he’s the guy that made Portland relevant again. Yes his game may need to change alla Kobe, but give him some time and it will happen. All I hear is a bunch of ungrateful fans who seem to think that the only thing holding us back from a title this year is the maturation of BRoy’s game.
Go Blazers and keep on beastin’ Greg!!!
Ugh..ungrateful fans? How about a ungrateful Brandon?!!! Again…this is a TEAM…act and play like one Brandon!
10 wins vs 5 losses looks nice, until you realize that only 1 of those 10 wins have come against teams that are currently over .500
Yeah, its still early, but winning 1 of every 5 games against teams with a record over .500 just won’t get the job done.
Here’s the thing I don’t get. McMillan and Roy keep saying that playing with Andre didn’t work. When exactly did they try playing Miller at PG, Roy at SG and Webster at SF? With the whole 3 guard line-up, I don’t think those three ever played together. How can you say something didn’t work when it was never even tried?
Holy crap people, get a grip.
Where is this so called proof that Brandon and Nate are taking this team into the mountain? Because we lost a game to Golden State? Because Brandon wasn’t happy with how he was being used (and rightly so, I’d say)? I’m utterly confused at this (over)reaction to the situation. It’s like we’ve all become Philly fans or something…
My point is — can we at LEAST let the situation play out before we call for Nate and Roy’s ouster from Portland?
What happens when we get our first star since Clyde Drexler ?
We bash him..
Betcha you wouldn’t be bashing him if we had another star.
Why ?
Because if you gave the Blazers one more star,I believe with
all my heart Portland could win a Championship.
Brandon’s that good.
But without that second star,they aren’t going to win any championship. And Brandon will be in the cross hairs.
I disagree, because if the Blazers were to obtain one more star, Brandon Roy would start whining that he was getting the ball too much, or taking too many shots.
LMAO.
Nice reply.
Roy’s current criticism is SELF INFLICTED! Gee, poor poor Roy!!
Tell the Blazer front office what you think. They listen and bring a live person on the phone. Tell the receptionist your concern and they will transfer you.
TRAIL BLAZERS FRONT DESK: 503.234.9291
THE WHEELS ON THE BUS GO ROUND AND ROUND, ROUND AND ROUND, ROUND AND ROUND.
SECOND VERSE, SAME AS THE FIRST!
This whole Miller mess started because KP felt he had to go out and use the Blazers cap space. Remember that Miller was the fourth choice after Hedo, Milsap & Lee. I didn’t like the move then and I don’t like it now.
Miller can’t shoot and it’s important that Coach has shooters in there to make other teams pay for double teaming Roy, Oden and LMA. With Blake and Webster in there that’s what he has.
I don’t see this as a Roy decision but as a McMillian decision and I am happy he did it.
yeah, thats why he played/plays Rudy sooo much, pulls the hot shooters, but leaves in Blake for major minutes when he isn’t making shots or defending. In my humble opinion BOTH Blake and Roy freeze out Rudy….don’t think they want him looking toooooooo good or get tooooooooo many minutes. Gotta protect that warm and fuzzy nate,roy,blake 3some.
Dwight, Now way can I follow 163 posts, some of them long. Hope you summarize what you heard.
Is it possible our standards are a wee bit high? Roy lets out some frustration and some poorly chosen words. This from a guy with years of being one of basketball’s premier younger statesman. Maybe it’s too much to ask of a 25 year old athlete that EVERY word from their mouth is supportive of our idea of team goals.
I’d prefer to think that Brandon gets some leeway here. This is a young guy coming to terms with his enourmous talent – and learning how to win.
As to trades; come on. Who’s under 27, as good a talent and as good a person? Spoiled, are we?
Yes, but those are the standards he needs to live upto for this team to be a contender. Like it or not, has show a lack of leadership in handling this situation, and you can see if with his effort on the floor.
I have a name that I call those who throw others under the bus: Greyhounder. Are we now going to dub Brandon Roy as the Greyhounder?
Come on Dwight. That was such a terrible game last night, where is the whining from you?
Very sad to see how quickly folks turn on Brandon. He is a talented, classy, driven human being. I, for one, feel grateful I get to have him run the team I root for.
No team wins anything their first time in the playoffs. They have to learn what the playoffs are about. There is actually a process here.
What has LeBron James won so far? How long did it take him to lead his team deep into the playoffs. How many championships does Dwayne Wade have? How many years did it take MJ to figure it out. I watched Clyde Drexler “wake up” 6 years after he entered the league. Brandon seems to have that awareness already.
As others here have advised. Take a deep breath and thank your lucky stars that you have a player the quality of BROY. After over 50 years of rooting for various teams I know how rare that is.
Mmm,
Dwight, I have a lot of respect for you as a long time watcher of basketball. Your observations provide a good counterpoint to the prevailing winds in a lot of situations. However, everyone has a bad day and I think this one is yours. You’re in full “Get off my lawn!” mode here, and I’m gonna have to walk away on this one. In a couple days, Thanksgiving will be here, and you can redirect your carping to in-laws and grandchildren.
Great column Dwight!
What it boils down to is can this TEAM with these players and head coach beat the Nuggets or Lakers in a 7 game series in the playoffs?
Can Nate’s philosopy, system, and strageties beat Karl’s and Jackson’s in the playoffs?
Can the Blazers top 8 players as a team beat the Nuggets and Lakers top 8 players?
If you had to BET with your MONEY and not your HEART who would you pick?
My HEART is with the Blazers but my MONEY is on the Nuggets and Laker! Hey Dwight can I borrow some extra cash?
most of these posts are so aggressive and sound so childish it makes me wonder if the is one person using different screen names to just talk trash, blake hitting the open 3 is crucial for our offense when roy drives and miller cant shoot . blake was a big part of why we won last year check the games your self. if we did not have roy and the defensive attention other teams pay we wouldnt be anywhere close to playoff caliber.
The funniest thing about all this is that it seems like the players are handling all of this a hundred times better than the fans (or the columnists or the bloggers or the radio talk show hosts). – Elgin