I have been thrilled with Roy so far in his young career, but if the Blazers are to become a real contender like we all hope, then Roy is going to need to continue to improve and take his game to the next level. Kind of like Paul in his second was a very good PG with 17.3 ppg and 8.9apg, ,but in his third season he elevated his game even further to a splendid 21.1ppg and 11.6apg. Roy will need to do better in several areas, different areas than Paul as they play different positions, but Roy will need to continue his climb.
Offense
On the offensive end Roy should be working on becoming a better shooter. This season he had FG% .454, 3pt% .340, FT% .753. Roy should be spending time this offseason working on his shooting percentages. If he could increase just a little bit in all three categories by just a few percentage points that would be great. Especially FG% since we have 3pt shooters to spread the floor. I think having Oden and the improved play of Aldridge should take some of the pressure and we should see Roy shoot a little better next year.
His assists I am not too concerned with, he sees the court great and the only way I think he increases his assists much is if he plays the PG spot more. But depending on what happens this offseason that could really change. If we are able to get Calderon, Harris or Barbosa, than I see him playing the PG spot a little less. But if there is not a PG upgrade, and Rudy comes over, I could see Roy playing PG even more. Really, I just want to see him continue doing what he is doing in the area. He already has very few turnovers for a playmaker.
Defense
Wow has his defense improved this year. But, I think that there is still a way to go to become an elite defender. He is certainly capable of excellent defense like he showed in the closing minutes against Joe Johnson, but I would like to see a little more of that tenacity early in the game. I know that defense is very energy consuming and that he can't be expected to do it all, but a few more defensive stops would do wonders. Roy also has very good hands and I would like to see him try a steal the ball and play the passing lanes a little bit more, but I suppose that is up to Nate.
Conditioning
This is the area that I see the most work being needed. He certainly works his tail off on the court and from everything I have heard he also works hard in practices and in the gym, but upping his conditioning will do several important things for Roy. First and perhaps most important, it will keep him healthier throughout the long and grueling season. Second, he will not have to make decisions as to what to expend his energy on (offense v defense) or when (1st quarter v 4th quarter). Thirdly, it will allow him to stay on the court a little longer and up his minutes from 37 per game to 40-42. Lastly, it will help him from crashing or slumping at the end of the season as the team is fighting for the playoffs.
I hope Roy works on his shooting, as well. But the main thing I want to see from him is a more aggressive attitude right from the opening tip. He is far too passive in the opening quarter, and seems content to stand around and watch everybody else do their thing. If he got aggressive right away, and took the ball to the hoop, I think it would set the tone for the entire game.
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"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." --Jay, lifelong Pacers fan
My expectations of Roy for next season are related to Rudy coming over. If that happens, then I expect BR to be playing a lot more PG next season. Greg and Rudy should be much better finishers/scorers (then Joel & Blake/Jack) so I'd expect Roy's role on the club to change towards being more of a facilitator and less of a scorer. I think this is within his skillset and it's just a matter of switching his focus. As with most things regarding Brandon, I'd expect him to make this transition look easy.
STOMP
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"Don't watch the Blazers and think about this season. Instead watch them and think 2 or 3 years down the road, because they are going to be insanely good. I can't remember a time when a single team owned the rights to this many quality players under the age of 25... if the Blazers aren't crushing people three years from now I'll be stunned. " -John Hollinger
I hope Roy works on his shot and Free Throws this off-season mainly... and just gets some rest.
My expectations are that I think he will continue to be an all-star caliber player, but i do not think he will make the all-star team, with Oden and Rudy coming over. I think his points and rebounds will go down...
I predict like 18ppg, 6.5Aapg and 4rpg.
But he is clutch and our leader and playmaker. I love Brandon because he isn't just going out eveyr night to get his points and stats, if the team wins the guy is happy, all-star selection or not. That is why this team is going to succeed, because we are built around guys like him, and LMA and hopefully Greg. Can't wait!
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Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden are the FUTURE!
116 Days and Counting Until Opening Day...
PG - Steve Blake | Jerryd Bayless | Sergio Rodriguez | Petteri Koponen
SG - Brandon Roy | Rudy Fernandez
SF - Martell Webster | Travis Outlaw | Nicolas Batum
PF - LaMarcus Aldridge | Channing Frye | Ike Diogu
C - Greg Oden | Joel Pryzbilla | Raef LaFrentz
My thoughts are that Brandon's going to make major gains next season because of his increased experience and also because the addition of Oden and the improvement of Aldridge will reduce the ability of opposing teams to focus so much defensive effort doubling Roy.
I want to see Brandon get a little stronger (not bigger necessarily) and have him healthy at the end of a season ... I think a lot his drop-off in aggression and "slump" in shooting % had a more to do with nagging injuries than anything else.
With the addtion of Greg, the continuing development of LaMarcus, and Rudy being added to the mix I'm hoping Brandon doesn't quite get the number of double-teams and hard fouls that seemed to dog him as the year wore on.
As a superstar, Roy is lacking, and probably always will be. He is not absolutely top-drawer talent.
So ordinarily, I'd say Roy is certain to get the sophomore blues next year -- struggling as teams adjust. But with Rudy and Oden here, Roy will not be the focus of other teams. Roy's numbers surely WILL go down, but his effectiveness may improve since he'll be able to leverage the other weapons the Blazers will have. Roy is a smart and selfless enough player to really abuse other teams.
As a Number 1, Roy is good. The Blazers often win when he plays well. But as a Number 2 or even a Number 3 guy, Roy will be absolutely deadly. Don't think Michael Jordan, think Scottie Pippen.
So ordinarily, I'd say Roy is certain to get the sophomore blues next year -- struggling as teams adjust.
Wasn't this Roy's sophomore year? Didn't he have to adjust this year to the double teams and his new role? I didn't expect much more out of Roy this year than last, and he showed me wrong. Just watch the Laker game and how he abused Kobe at will. It makes me think Roy will continue to be the kind of guy who doesn't get credit for his moves because they are so subtle. Roy has adjusted to being the man already.
Next year, I too would like to see him work on his stamina so he could play more PG. A team with Roy and Rudy in the backcourt could be scary. Stats-wise, I think he assists will continue to go up, his scoring may as well (more team points). His shooting % will also likely go up as he can be more selective given the talent around him.
As a Number 1, Roy is good. The Blazers often win when he plays well. But as a Number 2 or even a Number 3 guy, Roy will be absolutely deadly. Don't think Michael Jordan, think Scottie Pippen.
iWatas
STOMP
__________________
"Don't watch the Blazers and think about this season. Instead watch them and think 2 or 3 years down the road, because they are going to be insanely good. I can't remember a time when a single team owned the rights to this many quality players under the age of 25... if the Blazers aren't crushing people three years from now I'll be stunned. " -John Hollinger
I have been thrilled with Roy so far in his young career, but if the Blazers are to become a real contender like we all hope, then Roy is going to need to continue to improve and take his game to the next level. Kind of like Paul in his second was a very good PG with 17.3 ppg and 8.9apg, ,but in his third season he elevated his game even further to a splendid 21.1ppg and 11.6apg. Roy will need to do better in several areas, different areas than Paul as they play different positions, but Roy will need to continue his climb.
Offense
On the offensive end Roy should be working on becoming a better shooter. This season he had FG% .454, 3pt% .340, FT% .753. Roy should be spending time this offseason working on his shooting percentages. If he could increase just a little bit in all three categories by just a few percentage points that would be great. Especially FG% since we have 3pt shooters to spread the floor. I think having Oden and the improved play of Aldridge should take some of the pressure and we should see Roy shoot a little better next year.
His assists I am not too concerned with, he sees the court great and the only way I think he increases his assists much is if he plays the PG spot more. But depending on what happens this offseason that could really change. If we are able to get Calderon, Harris or Barbosa, than I see him playing the PG spot a little less. But if there is not a PG upgrade, and Rudy comes over, I could see Roy playing PG even more. Really, I just want to see him continue doing what he is doing in the area. He already has very few turnovers for a playmaker.
Defense
Wow has his defense improved this year. But, I think that there is still a way to go to become an elite defender. He is certainly capable of excellent defense like he showed in the closing minutes against Joe Johnson, but I would like to see a little more of that tenacity early in the game. I know that defense is very energy consuming and that he can't be expected to do it all, but a few more defensive stops would do wonders. Roy also has very good hands and I would like to see him try a steal the ball and play the passing lanes a little bit more, but I suppose that is up to Nate.
Conditioning
This is the area that I see the most work being needed. He certainly works his tail off on the court and from everything I have heard he also works hard in practices and in the gym, but upping his conditioning will do several important things for Roy. First and perhaps most important, it will keep him healthier throughout the long and grueling season. Second, he will not have to make decisions as to what to expend his energy on (offense v defense) or when (1st quarter v 4th quarter). Thirdly, it will allow him to stay on the court a little longer and up his minutes from 37 per game to 40-42. Lastly, it will help him from crashing or slumping at the end of the season as the team is fighting for the playoffs.
Roy is great, what is your take on his future?
I agree with everything you listed he needs to work on from shooting, to defensive consistency as well. The only differing opinion I have is that while I'd like to see him work on his conditioning, I would like to ideally see his minutes cut back to 34-35 per game for the regular season. If we're talented enough with good depth I'd rather Roy, LMA, and Oden not play themselves ragged during the regular season, letting them keep more in the tank for when we need huge performances in the playoffs.
I am going to cast a dissenting vote here, and suggest that Roy is already close to his peak. I suspect that any further improvements will be in the more "mental" aspects of the game: eg a higher FG%, a few more assists with fewer TOs.
You know what? I am OK with that. Not every player has to be the "next MJ" to be considered a success!
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I am going to cast a dissenting vote here, and suggest that Roy is already close to his peak. I suspect that any further improvements will be in the more "mental" aspects of the game: eg a higher FG%, a few more assists with fewer TOs.
You know what? I am OK with that. Not every player has to be the "next MJ" to be considered a success!
Well I am just so wowed by Roy that I don't know where his peak lies. You could be right, but he has already exceeded my expectations for what I thought he would turn into. When we drafted Roy, I thought we would be lucky if he turned into a player that could score 16ppg, have 3.5apg and grab a couple rebounds. And I am not talking about in his first or second season, I am talking about in his career. I am so glad that he has proven that I am an idiot. But here are a couple of things that I did not realize. 1) he is a better athlete than I thought. Not world class, but better than average for sure. 2) He has one of the highest bball IQ's in the league. He plays as if the game is played in slow motion and he gets time calculate probabilities before each decision. 3) He is a sponge. He seems to learn lessons often and immediately incorporate that lesson into his game. I think that the fact that he plays better D at the end of a game is not that he is trying more, it's that he has learned a bunch of lessons over the course of the game on how his opponent moves.
I think for Roy to make a major leap in his abilities, he will need to learn to change speeds more. Right now he seems to play at a speed that jerky, like a Nash, but not speedy like a Parker. He plays faster than others during his ball handling duties, but actually plays slower that others when he makes plays. Most playmakers seem to turn up speed a lot when they make a move. Roy just changes his speed a little bit, and I really think that confuses his opponents. They go back on their heels as if Roy were going to blow by them, then he crosses over and goes the other way at a regular or slightly increased pace.
I think that Roy will continue to use his IQ to make upgrades and learn more intelligent moves to make, but mostly I agree that I don't see him becoming a SUPERSTAR like a Paul or a Kobe.
Your expectations regarding Roy?
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Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden are the FUTURE! 
