Brandon Roy: 5 Ways He Can Still Be a Force in the NBA
Ever since news broke about Roy's deteriorating injury, fans and sports analysts alike have been giving up on the young guard. What was once the cornerstone of an up and coming franchise has become an albatross contract. I remember the day when Roy signed his extension, it was probably the biggest no-brainer in recent Blazer history.
Now it seems as if everyone is writing off Brandon Roy.
With a now toxic contract, there is very little chance that Roy will play for any other team unless Portland is willing to pay out his guaranteed contract. Since this isn't Portland's M.O. (see: Darius Miles), this relationship could get a lot worse before it gets better.
The good news for Portland and its fans is:
There is still time for him to be a dominant force in the NBA again.
Relinquish Ball Control To Andre Miller
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The Brandon Roy that everyone in the NBA knew was a player that craved one-on-one play and could create shots with his speed and explosiveness. That player may be gone, but they have a player who can still create shots for Roy and others. That player is Andre Miller.
Miller is a guard with pin point passing who runs the floor and is one of the best alley-oop passers in the league. Before the injury, many said this pairing could not be successful. However, Roy is no longer a player that should dominate the ball. If Roy can work himself into favorable positions off the ball, he wouldn't have to put so much stress on his knees getting there on his own.
This route would allow Roy to put up big numbers and he would become the most valuable asset to a team in the NBA: an excellent off the ball player.
Allow The Offense To Run Through LaMarcus Aldridge
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If Roy can't be option number one consistently, then they must move down the pecking order to LaMarcus Aldridge. He is a capable scorer down low and possesses one of the best mid-range jumpers for a big man. If Portland is to make the playoffs and make some noise in the Western conference, they need to play off LA in the high and low post.
A power struggle over top dog status does not help anyone in this case. Roy must learn to play around LA and not cause a commotion about it. If Roy learns to pick his spots and score off of double teams, he can still put up points at an efficient pace.
If Roy wants to continue to be a force, he must learn to take a step back and allow the shots to come to him instead of forcing the issue.
Be Open To Coming Off The Bench
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With the hunger and energy that Matthews brings to the table, it seems inevitable that they might try and replace Roy in the starting line-up. While some players view this as a demotion, Brandon must understand that these are tenuous circumstances and try to flourish in any role he gets assigned. If he gets moved to the bench he must take it in stride as others have done in the past. Players like Odom, Ginobili and Terry were able to contribute off the bench when moved to the sixth man spot
If Roy can accept his role and bring leadership and scoring to Portland's second unit, the Blazers can have the most dangerous sixth man in the league.
Monitor Minutes Every Night
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While it is admirable to hear Roy say that he "just want(s) to play", everyone must keep in mind that he is seen as a long term investment. Roy can't rush into things as he has done in the past. There is nowhere to go but down for Brandon. He can't look at his career as merely the next game but the next year. He should maximize the minutes he is given and not try and rebel into more playing time.
The coaching and training staff must make Roy realize that if he pushes too hard he will ruin his career and possibly impair his life after basketball. While the gutsy style of play Roy has always shown has made him a household name, it can ultimately be his undoing. I think every fan of the NBA would be disappointed if Roy went down the Darius Miles path.
In Simple Terms: Evolve
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The Brandon Roy of the last couple of years may be gone forever, but that doesn't mean he can't be the driving force behind a successful Portland franchise. Roy can get away from his old style and create an off the ball game and still put up big numbers. If he can become a spot up shooter who runs through screens and hits jumpers consistently, the Blazers can add a new dimension that only a few teams are capable of running.
He should look to model his new game after players like Rip Hamilton and Ray Allen. Using his teammates and freeing himself up using his basketball IQ instead of only his physical attributes can open a new chapter in Roy's career.
While some will argue that with limited mobility he will get beaten on defense too often, there are numerous examples of players adapting to their limitations. After getting torched by Chris Paul in the playoffs a few years ago, Kidd learned to play with his decreased speed and has become vital to his team's success. Other players all over the league lose speed and jumping ability as they grow but find a way to work with their remaining skills.
Roy has never struck me as a quitter and I still don't get that vibe from him.
If anyone in this league can deal with this injury, it is B-Roy.
