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For those of you who don't know already, I went by the alias "Sheed" for the last year and a half, but my real name is Matt. I am him and he is I. Just something to keep in mind. Now, moving on to more important issues...
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Portland Trail Blazers finally get a break from their exhausting schedule. The All-Star break is a chance to relax, recharge and re-evaluate. But for the last two years, since Brandon Roy emerged as a star in the NBA, we've all been more interested than ever in watching the All-Star game. This year is different though, Roy made the team but he's not playing, and I'm having trouble psyching myself up to watch a Roy-less All-Star game.
I remember how I felt watching Brandon's first All-Star game in 2008, two years ago. It was like watching your kid who you knew has special talent, and was getting the chance to be seen on the big stage by the entire nation. So many NBA fans had no idea what he was all about and the All-Star game is a great opportunity to show off Portland's best basketball asset. I recall being focused so intently, more than most regular season Blazer games. Patience was rewarded and Roy was amazing. He played 28 minutes, scored 18 points on 8 of 10 shooting, grabbed 9 rebounds, dished 5 assists, and played at a truly All-Star level. That performance put Roy on the map in a lot of ways, and made Portland proud.
A year later, in 2009, Roy came in as a better player and with higher expectations. Once again I found myself planning around the All-Star game. There is just something about rooting for Brandon and watching him continue to solidify himself as part of the NBA elite. Brandon once again did not mess around. He played the most of any player on either team with 31 minutes. He ended up with 14 points on 7 of 8 shooting, grabbed 5 rebounds and had 5 assists. It was a truly sharp shooting performance by Brandon and another proud moment for fans in Portland.
Now it's 2010, Brandon has missed a large chunk of games for the Blazers, and has already said he will not play in the All-Star game. I hadn't thought about it too much until today, but what's the point if Brandon isn't there? I know it's something to watch on Sunday afternoon, but my interest level plummeted when I accepted Roy wouldn't play. I even posed the question to Blazer fans on twitter and got responses that seemed to mirror my same sentiments. Here are those tweets:
BustaBucket: Blazer fans: On a scale of 1-10, how interested in the All-Star game are you with Brandon Roy out because of injury?
mitchwinn @bustabucket 0
JeffIsBallin @bustabucket 6 or 7 pretty much just the usual
d3c0n @bustabucket 4, if Brandon was playing it would be a 8 1/2
Bridge_Design @bustabucket w/ him in must watch. w/o him will watch if convenient, but won't go out of my way if I have something else going on.
teemunny @bustabucket 2
Sophiabiabia @bustabucket i predicted Casspi wins the HORSE tourny ;-) so I have to watch that LOL
TheTower51 @bustabucket -124685
philthyanimal @bustabucket my interest level is 3...probably watch highlights and read boxscores and whatnot but wont watch game
mickelsona @bustabucket im a 1 too. I could care less about it with no Roy.
mburnard @bustabucket ASG interest sans Brandon Roy/other blazers: 3. (I may watch the 3pt contest to see C.Frye)
mcshanem @bustabucket Same as if Roy was playing. About a 2.
Blazersrule88 @bustabucket 1. But its not just no Roy. If every one that was selected originally was there, my interest would be 3.5-4
twiggs1 @bustabucket not at all, I won't be watching it.
Obviously Blazer fans want Roy to play, provided he's healthy. The All-Star game is virtually irrelevant to Blazer nation if no player is representing Portland. It's an exhibition game anyway, and it becomes even worse without Brandon. Ultimately the time off will be hugely beneficial for Portland who has played more games than any team in the league so far this year. Even though Przybilla and Oden won't be returning this season, the return of Roy and Outlaw can make this team a playoff threat and the rest will help that process.
So how do you feel about the game? Will you look forward to it, perhaps watch it if it's on, or maybe no interest at all? It's Valentine's Day, that is one excuse to miss it, I'm just not sure there will be much to miss. Hopefully next year our All-Star can do what he does best once again. For me, I'm not interested unless all other Sunday afternoon options are unavailable.
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