When discussing the future of the Vancouver Grizzlies, the first name out of most mouths would be the Future, or Shareef Abdur-Rahim as he's more commonly known. The 20-year-old rookie has dazzled friends, fans and foes alike with his all- around ability.
Next would be Big Country, or Country as he's more commonly known. (Apparently he has a real name, but no one's ever heard it. Could be just a rumor.) The first pick in the franchise's history isn't the most athletic person in the NBA (okay, he's the least athletic), but is a legitimate low post threat.
A little further down the list you have Roy Rogers, who's not commonly known, period. But some experts say he was the steal of last summer's college draft. The 6-foot-10 Alabama product averaged only 6.4 points a game in his college career. So what's all the fuss about?
The stats are misleading, as he didn't really come into his own until his fourth year (or senior year, as Americans are wont to say), when he averaged 13.5 points, 9.3 boards and 4.9 blocks.
``He's probably the best hook shooter in this draft, and he likes to shoot it,'' scouting guru Marty Blake said.
That he does. But don't expect him to be the next Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Defence is his game. Blocks have given him his name.
``I wasn't brought here to score 20 points,'' he says. And he's right on target, having never reached the 20-point mark. ``I was brought here to defend and rebound. Make guys alter their shots, make guys aware I'm in the lane, so they pass it off instead of trying to come for the easy basket.''
But the Grizzlies weren't getting the production they would have liked from their Roy toy. He was busy proving Marty Blake right, taking every opportunity to shoot the ball. Since Stu Jackson has taken over, however, Rogers has been reminded in no uncertain terms of his responsibilities.
``Stu's made it clear what he wants me to do,'' he said before leaving for his appearance in the rookie all-star game. ``He wants me to be his power forward, rebound and defend. That's what I gotta concentrate on. We've got plenty of offence out of our two, three and five (positions), so I don't need to be jacking up shots.''
While his rebounding numbers have gone up since the intervention (to use the official Grizzlies management expression for the firing of Brian Winters), one thing that has remained constant and impressive is his shot-blocking. It's already been weeks since Rogers set a Grizzlies season record for blocks. And if they kept records for such things, no doubt he would have the record for the number of times called for goaltending, too.
Rogers isn't the physical presence Dikembe Mutombo is, but is still among the league leaders in rejections.
``Dikembe is a different kind of shot-blocker,'' he says. ``He pretty much stands there and swats 'em because his arms are so long. My blocks are more athletic, coming from the weak side, jumping over guys. Some of the shots he gets are clearly goaltending. But he has a name as a shot-blocker, so he gets away with it.''
Rogers looks forward to when he, too, might get the benefit of the doubt from the refs.
``Yeah, I do,'' he says, his eyes lighting up. ``It's coming. I've gotten away with a couple over the past few games.''
He even got the master himself, blocking a Mutombo dunk attempt in the last Grizzlies home game. But he managed to restrain himself, not giving the Hawk a return not-in-my-house finger wag.
``I don't taunt,'' he says, laughing.
No wonder nobody knows him.
But if he keeps up his impressive play of late, they will soon enough.
Spirit of the West will appear regularly throughout the NBA season.