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http://youtube.com/watch?v=2jLpd2q9Pwo

What a great clip to see, and astounding defense on a really impressive offensive player. Just add an Oden to this mix, and next year we'll have two solid defenders on the wings with Martell and Brandon and a huge stopper in the middle. W00t!

Have we ever said that? He'd be an elite defender if he had longer arms.

People have said that he's merely an average defender, and I generally have agreed with that. This demonstrates that he defenitely has a higher level defensively than I thought he would have when we drafted him or that was demonstrated last year.

mojomarc wrote:People have said that he's merely an average defender, and I generally have agreed with that. This demonstrates that he definitely has a higher level defensively than I thought he would have when we drafted him or that was demonstrated last year.

I always thought he played defense the right way. Staying in front of his man, making them change direction, putting a hand up on a shot, staying on his feet.

What's made him a better defender this year? The only thing I can think of is his attitude.

To be fair though, Johnson wasn't really attacking the rim, so it's easier to guard.

Johnson looked like he wanted to drive a couple times but was thwarted.

mojomarc wrote:Johnson looked like he wanted to drive a couple times but was thwarted.

Yeah, but he was out of his element, in a 1 on 5 iso play. He did have the step on roy once but Aldridge came over to send him back. Is it just me, or is Roy's defense a lot better in crunch time than the rest of the game? Similar to last year when he would score mostly in the 4th.

Amazing display of D. Look at that footwork! Look at the composure!

I didn't think Brandon had it in him, especially that late in the game after logging so many minutes. He just amazes me even more with every game.

PS. That block on Josh Smith with a minute left was pretty awesome too.

mojomarc wrote:Johnson looked like he wanted to drive a couple times but was thwarted.

I would say that is a combination of playing against Roy's good D AND the Portland crowd.

J~Rush wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Yeah, but he was out of his element, in a 1 on 5 iso play. He did have the step on roy once but Aldridge came over to send him back.

Roy was directing him toward Aldridge. He gave him space to go right knowing that Aldridge could cheat up and keep him from getting into the lane. It was a crappy play by Atlanta. I don't think you should go iso at the top of the key unless you've got less than 15 seconds left. Or you've got James, Kobe or Outlaw. But Roy played him as well as you could.

I think it's obvious that Roy has the ability to be a great defender, but he really can't defend every possession like that because he wouldn't last 30 minutes per game with how much he handles the ball.

Most of the elite defenders in the NBA run a lot less on offense than Roy. It's tough to be elite at both.

We will really get a good look at Roy's and the rest of the teams development during tonights game against Cleveland and Lebron.

A win and a good showing by Roy would lead to a lot of Sportscenter highlight time!

trentsdad wrote:We will really get a good look at Roy's and the rest of the teams development during tonights game against Cleveland and Lebron.

A win and a good showing by Roy would lead to a lot of Sportscenter highlight time!

I'll take a win and a 10 second blurb over a loss and a 10 minute expose

farzi wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I'll take a win and a 10 second blurb over a loss and a 10 minute expose

Which is most likely exactly what the choices would be.

Yep, you either get a 10 minute segment on how amazing LeBron is, or a blurb that Charles Outlaw played well and LeBron struggled...oh yeah portland won. ELSEWHERE IN NEW YORK, THE KNICKS DID SOMETHING STUPID AGAIN, SO WE'RE GOING TO SPEND SOME TIME ON THAT.

Twith wrote:Most of the elite defenders in the NBA run a lot less on offense than Roy. It's tough to be elite at both.

Come on--don't you know he's the next Michael Jordan???

Roy has come up big on the defense end several times this year in the 4thQ. Remember that block he had on Carmelo earlier this year to help seal a W? How long will it be before we start having threads where people start complaining that they wish Roy would play D like that for the first 3 quarters?

It's great to see that Roy can dig deep and play solid defense.

We can't give him too much credit on that play though because, really, what the hell was Atlanta trying to do? An iso play is one thing, but usually there's a pick or movement involved. The other four guys should have just taken a courtside seat or something.

And who was it who blocked Josh Smith a minute before? That was a huge play. I think it might have been Roy.