Roy Ready to Roll
posted: 9/13/2006 at 10:27 PM
On Thursday the Trail Blazer rookies will head east to take part in the NBA's annual rookie orientation. They'll be gone for three days, and then will return to Portland to continue their training camp preparation. It will be a valuable experience, and the young people involved always speak highly of the orientation. I'll be interested to hear about this year's seminar from the Portland rookies.
After speaking with Brandon Roy on Wednesday at the practice facility in Tualatin, I couldn't help thinking that perhaps he should be teaching the class to the rest of the rookies. As we said during the summer league in July, Roy is mature beyond his years, and appears more than ready to represent this year's crop of new recruits. He has an aura about him that screams superstar, both on and off the court. Not suprisingly, he seems the most eager to attend the rookie orientation and absorb what he can from the seminar.
Roy took part in the pre-training camp pick-up games on Wednesday at the Blazers practice facility, and I'm happy to report that he looks even better than he did in Las Vegas a few months ago. I was standing just off the floor watching one of the pick-up games, when my TV partner, Mike Rice, made the comment, "wow, that Roy is really, really good." Kevin Pritchard, who was standing nearby, shot Rice a puzzling look and said, "you think so? You think we should keep this guy?" I guess you had to be there.
Roy has so many strengths on the court, but the biggest one is probably simply his basketball I.Q. You've heard us mention that a lot. Even during these pick-up games, he simply makes everyone on his team better. He knows where everyone is, where they should be, and handles himself with confidence and ease.
I had a chance to interview Brandon following today's workout. To listen to the audio interview
click here. You can watch the interview by
clicking here. I thought his comment about the quality of these pick-up games was interesting. He said he's so happy that so many players are involved, because he couldn't find a place to play like this in Seattle. That wasn't a shot at the Sonics, obviously, he just meant that with so many Blazers, and other NBA players in Portland, he's getting a true test before training camp begins.
I've spent the last few days talking a lot about the point guards, and they were solid again today. Dan Dickau and Sergio Rodriguez both played well again, and Jarrett Jack took a much-needed day off. He's been going twice a day for a couple of weeks, and finally they had to force him to stay away from the gym on Wednesday. I'm not sure how they did that, but rope and duct tape were probably involved.
For some reason I've ended up talking to Milwaukee Bucks guard Steve Blake (I know, that still sounds strange) a lot about these games. I had dinner with Steve last night and the one player I wanted to hear about was Travis Outlaw. He said he felt Travis had his best day on Wednesday, and showed some real growth on the floor. This will be a very big season for Travis, and don't be suprised to see him playing the power forward off the bench. He's so athletically gifted, and is capable of playing bigger than he is. He's learning how to offensive rebound and defend in the post, and appears to have a better nose for the ball than he's had in the past.
I'm also happy to report that the last player off the court today was Martell Webster. Blazers' player development coach Bill Bayno was working Martell hard following the games, and they were still going at it when I left. If you read this blog often, you know I'm one of Bayno's biggest fans. He is going to be a huge asset to this coaching staff.
RSS FEED
Mike, do you seriously think Travis is going to get minutes at the power forward? I will have to see it before i believe it. If Zach plays 30+ minutes at the four, and Mags, Raef, and LaMarcus are in front of him, how many minutes could he really see there? I can't see us expanding that logjam.
You must know something we don't, or you have Travis much higher on the depth chart, at any position, than i do. He seems like a nice kid, but i think i should stop there. By the way, Mike, i'd again like to say it's great to have you back. Thanks for the links to the interview.
Hey mike, thanks for all your hard work. It is a privilege to have you as a part of this team. Cant wait for your next entry.
Hey Mr. Barrett,
Nice Bloggin'. Thanks for the great coverage of pre-training camp workouts. You mentioned that Z-bo is participating (which was good to see). How does he look compared to last year? Also, where is the mysterious Mr. Miles? It would be nice to see him there. Is there any truth to the rumors that he is still struggling with his knee? Thanks again, JLove
Hi Mike, thanks for keeping the blog going. After the excitement of the draft and subsequent moves, news on the team over the summer has been sparse. Your blog has been somewhat of a lifeline for many of us. Thanks again for that.
Now, Travis at PF? I personally cant see it happening except in an absolute emergency. He doesnt have the size (weight, girth, or strength) to defend many starting (or even reserve) NBA power forwards. And he is not known as a banger, either. And as mrblazer said, hes facing stiff, stiff competition for minutes there at that position (Zach, Jamaal, Raef, LeMarcus). On the flip-side, there should be ample PT there for him at SF behind Darius, now that Ruben and Viktor have moved on to greener pastures - and he seems to be better suited for the SF spot, both physically and skillfully. Why would the Blazers even consider playing Trafis at PF?
Thanks again for the awesome blog!
Mac might want to use TO at PF against a team like PHX and Marion. Spot time, matchups, etc
Thanks Mike. You are important to us - especially me as I cannot travel. I will follow again this year and now have the blog all year to see behind the surface of the team. It is interesting and appreciated to have news without the negativity.
Travis may play the four when the Blazers go small because he creates matchup problems for the other team also. As his basketball knowledge and experience increases I am still hopeful that he will have a solid career. I well remember Jerome Kersey (in those days I could attend every practice in training camp) when he first came into the league. Travis has many similarities.
Post a Comment
<< Home