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JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
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Location: Atlanta
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 Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject: Oregonian: Should Brandon Roy be an All-Star (iRoy)? |
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The Oregonian: "He's had an All-Star season," McMillan said. "You would definitely have to consider him. He's not your typical All-Star ballot-getter, but you have to look at what (he's) done this year and what his team has done. If you're putting up numbers and your team is winning, then I think that's what an All-Star is all about."
The Blazers (22-13) have matured into one of the Western Conference's best teams, and there is no disputing that Roy's play has carried them. Roy overcame a forgettable November stretch to become one of the NBA's hottest players, and he enters today's game at Toronto averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds.
But the reality is -- even though he has entered the All-Star conversation -- Roy will have to overcome a number of obstacles to become the first Blazers player since Rasheed Wallace in 2001 to earn the NBA's top midseason honor. For starters, there is a surplus of exceptional Western Conference guards, including marquee players such as former MVP Steve Nash, reigning NBA Finals MVP Tony Parker, perennial All-Star Allen Iverson and one the league's most exciting young players, Chris Paul.
Others reasons Roy finds himself in an uphill battle:
The Blazers only recently have become a winning team after years of horrendous play, so they are in the budding stages of taking their place in the national consciousness.
He's a second-year player, and coaches, who pick the reserves, tend to favor veterans.
Even though Roy has produced some highlight-reel moments -- the Michael Jordan-esque layup against Toronto and the clutch, game-clinching block against Denver's Carmelo Anthony included -- Roy's game is not flashy.
While "Rip City" may appreciate the unique, across-the-board contributions Roy supplies the Blazers, the casual NBA fan, as evidenced by All-Star voting, has yet to take notice. Roy is not among the top 10 guards receiving votes in the West and trails the likes of Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse.
The fans only pick the starters -- they favor Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady at guard -- but Roy's low vote total is still a snub, according to his teammates and coaches, who view him as the best player on a team that is tied for first place in the Northwest Division.
Inside the Blazers' locker room, Roy supporters are asking: Would Portland be anywhere near the team it has become if not for the remarkable contributions of Roy?
"Normally, when you think of guys who are All-Stars, you think of the best players on the best teams," Blazers forward James Jones said. "Everyone has seen what (Roy) has been able to do . . . and the heights he's taken this team to. So why shouldn't he be an All-Star? In this league, they don't give championship rings to losers; they only give them to winners. So if you're a guy that's on a team that's winning, and you're the best player on that team, then you deserve to be an All-Star."
Added Blazers guard Steve Blake: "There are players out there who have done things for their team. But as far as making a real impact, changing the course of a season, Brandon's been the guy for us. We've totally changed the way we've played, and it happened when he picked up his game. For us to go from 5-12 to 22-13 is a testament to why he should be an All-Star."
Although the odds seem stacked against Roy, McMillan has pinpointed at least one thing that could work in Roy's favor: Respect. McMillan says NBA coaches have noticed Roy's on- and off-court demeanor and appreciate his likeable, down-to-earth personality.
"He won't get voted in by the fans, but I think the coaches will give him serious consideration because he's not an arrogant guy," McMillan said. "From what I've heard from other coaches, and from those coaches making comments about Brandon, he has respect around the league."
When coaches submit their All-Star ballots they will fill out the conference rosters, voting for the reserves, but they cannot vote for their own players.
"There's so many good point guards in the league right now, and (Roy) is one of them," Golden State coach Don Nelson said. "My opinion is that he's a star player; a young star player that is an All-Star playing at an All-Star level. And he's not the only one in the West. There's lots of them."
"I'm not going to make a case for why I should be on the team," Roy said. "It took a lot of really good players more than two years to make the All-Star team. And if I make it, I make it. If not, being in the position that we are, in first place in the division, is more important. There are tons of (worthy) guys out there . . . and it's hard for me to say, 'Overlook those guys.' They've been doing it for years. This is kind of like our first year. We're just going to keep trying to earn our stripes. Who knows? Maybe in the near future, one of our guys will make it." |
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Last edited by JSM on Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:50 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Amongst_Kings
Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 229
Location: City of Angles
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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only because of Portland's record should he get it...his numbers are not THAT great, but the success has to be for one reason or another.
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nameant
Joined: 16 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:01 am Post subject: |
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No. Plenty of others more deserving.
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JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
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Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, Blazers are going all out. They're giving out I-Roys to all the coaches and media people who vote for the reserves, hoping to sway them in voting for Roy.
On the special edition i-pod are highlight packages of Roy's play this season.
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JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 70472
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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KATU
You won’t find this iPod at your local Apple store.
It’s the iRoy – the Blazers’ marketing gizmo to make sure Brandon Roy gets his best shot at making the All-Star team.
The Trail Blazers know Roy’s only chance is to be selected by NBA coaches, who will make their picks after the starters (based on fan voting) are released on Thursday. So the team sent an iRoy to every Western Conference coach, plus a select group of the national media.
It is certain to at least grab their attention. The iRoy is basically a silver video Nano iPod that’s been "Roy’d" up.
There’s a nifty "iRoy" cover that slides over the usual packaging, a picture of Roy over the iPod video screen that must be removed before the initial use, and complete iRoy instructions.
And that’s not all. The team has loaded the player up with video showing why Roy should be an all-star, including highlights, a testimonial from Coach Nate McMillan and plugs from national sports shows.
The Blazers sent out about 75 in all. At nearly $200 a pop just for the iPod, that’s upwards of a $15,000 all-star campaign.
They’ll soon find out if it pays off. The coaches picks will be announced next week on Jan. 31. |
If you click on the url link at the top, there is a video link to the local news coverage of the iRoy.
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