A ‘Roy’ale Blow in Portland

First a matchup with the red hot Suns, now this.

Despite saying he’ll be ready for the playoffs no matter what earlier in the week, Trail Blazers G Brandon Roy will have surgery on his knee and will miss the first round of the playoffs. Roy is a superstar player and a game-changer with clutchness to spare. He averaged 21+ points this season, but tore his meniscus in Sunday’s game against the Lakers. Here is Roy’s statement:

“This was not an easy decision to make. But, if I’m going to be out there, I want to be contributing. If we’re fortunate enough to advance in the playoffs, having the surgery now gives me the best opportunity to help our team.”

This is a crushing blow to the roster and morale of the Blazers, and it has been reflected in our playoff predictions as well. The Blazers have been going through injuries all year long, so it is fitting that this is the result of their season. Then again, they made it to the sixth seed in the West (which is a tremendous feet, considering), so maybe they have a surprise for us!

Don’t Try and Make This Guy Laugh

…because it’s playoff time, and LeBron James is much too focused for that kind of stuff.

The following is a direct quote from the AP: “I am serious,” James said about his sober demeanor. “This is the playoffs.” Thanks for the head’s up LeBron, because if you didn’t explain that, I would have thought there was something wrong with you. I mean, you’re normally dancing and prancing around, while playing practical jokes and making a mockery of the other team and the game itself.

LeBron may be excited for the playoffs, but may I remind him of Game 6 of the East Finals in Orlando last postseason when he stormed off the court after losing. Focused? Yes. Phony? Yes. You’d think LeBron would take that demeanor of being focused and eager to win into the regular season, but instead he just jokes around until the games ‘matter’.

I’m am just so sick of this guy, and I am hoping an upset is somewhere in the next couple months.

Tidbits:

• Chris Bosh is currently a Toronto Raptor. Question is, will he be there come October? Bosh is expected to opt out of the final year of the contract, despite $17 million in front of him, making him a key player in the free agent frenzy of 2010. Bosh admits he doesn’t know where he’ll be next year.
• Tracy McGrady isn’t too happy with his current career. He’s so unhappy, that he’s threatening (himself?) that he will retire instead of underachieving next year. The almighty dollar speaks wonders, so we’ll see if T-Mac truly wants to retire.
• The LA Clippers have fired their interim coach Kim Hughes, which was expected to happen from the day he was ‘hired’. They were just 8-25 under him, and I know they’ll be looking for a coach with a name this offseason.
• The other Los Angeles coach is doing much better, despite a small dent in his wallet. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson has been fined $35,000 after criticizing referees before his series against Kevin Durant and the OKC Thunder. The Zen Master believes Durant is ‘The Call Master’ in getting too many whistles his way each game. He may have a point (Durant leads league with 10.3 free throw attempts each game), but you don’t motivate a star before a big series Phil.
• What does leading a perennially HRBL team to a 40-42 record in the West get you? Well, if you’re Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, then it gets you a nice 3-year contract extension! Good for him, and the Grizz. Next year, I want you to be the Thundercats of ’10.

-Shooter