I have to say that I am absolutely impressed with how well Lamarcus Aldridge has played lately. I know Ed still thinks he's soft, but I surely don't. The way he's attacking the rim is anything but soft. I know it's still early to say this, but I'm finally starting to see Aldridge play like we all know he can. He's playing in a way that we all hoped Rasheed would. It's like he finally figured out that he's quicker and more athletic than most of the big men in the league, so he's just going around them. It's really a thing of beauty, and I think it has been a major reason why we're playing so well lately. It's pick your poison right now, and teams can't double both Roy AND Aldridge. Bravo LMA
I've noticed he's much quicker in his reads, either quickly attacking or quickly passing before the defense has a chance to throw help defenders his way, and his handle looks much steadier than I think I've ever seen it; he almost looks comfortable taking people off the dribble. I've always been a big LaMarcus believer (although I can't say it was always justified) and it's great to see him finally start to trust his talent and start to emerge as a real force capable of really 'bending' the game to him.
He's just so much more aggressive. You can even see that in his dunks. He's throwing them down like Amare.
Yup, LaMarcus is a beast. Anyone who thinks he's soft hasn't seen him play the past month or so. He's putting up some big numbers, and even posting a lot of double-digit rebound numbers, which has been the one argument against LMA for being 'soft'. He's a stud, and heading into next offseason, could be commanding a max contract and earning it.
I think confidence is a major part of it. I don't think I've ever seen him this confident. When he gets the ball, it's like he knows he can score. In the past, if his jumper wasn't falling, we'd see LMA just sort of disappear. Now, he just attacks the rim. Hell, I even saw him demanding the ball in the post against the Jazz. He's a changed man.
He looks absolutely fantastic. Unbelievable what kind of turn the kid's made in his game. I love it. I can't ask for much more than he's doing now. Give him and GO the summer to develop some cohesiveness and you'll see some real magic.
LaMarcus must've taken the All-Star snub personally. He has been playing with such ferocity recently. If he continues to play with such aggressiveness on both ends of the floor, then he might very well make the All-Star game next season.
I think our record will have a lot to do with it. If we're leading the NW division, and we're in the top three in the west, I'm sure he'll be an All-Star next year.
With how well LMA and Roy were playing tonight, the Jazz didn't even bother pretending to guard Batum!
It'd be interesting to hear who people thought has the most talent, comparing the current 23-year-old LaMarcus vs. the past 23-year-old Rasheed. It's a tough call. Sheed had it all offensively when he first came over, and could've averaged 23-25 ppg if he wanted to. Defensively, he had the ability to shut down KG and Dirk, and admirably defend Duncan and even Shaq on occasion. It's too bad we never got to see Sheed's full potential, and I think LaMarcus has the work ethic that he'll be the best he can be.
LMA is not the outside shooter Sheed is and his defense is behind Sheed's - but I am talking Sheed in his prime. LMA is only in his 3rd year. Sky's the limit. Just as it was for Sheed, but Sheed never reached his full potential. OH man what a fucking good team this is going to be - already is, but will be a truly elite team with Oden, Aldridge, Roy, Fernandez at the core for years and years to come.
Over the 1-2 months or so I have consistently found myself saying about 3 times a game, "Damn! LaMarcus is a beast!" I dont recall saying that very much in past. I've always like his game and was happy even with what he was bringing before that but the comments were always more like, "Man, when LaMarcus puts it all together he is going to be awesome." Well, that time has come. Now its all about consistentcy. Hopefully he recognizes that this doesnt have to be about "LaMarcus is really playing well right now" and instead be about LaMarcus realizing that I have the ability to play this way night in and night out and that makes the Blazers borderline impossible to deal with if Brandon is having even an average game. I always wondered if LaMarcus felt like he couldnt be this type of player without taking away from what Brandon does. But I think he is seeing now that he CAN play this way and it only makes Brandon that much more dangerous. Props and rep to LaMarcus and here's to hoping that HE knows that he CAN play like this every game and that the only one the can stop that is LaMarcus. On a side note if Batum hits the gym hard this summer and continues to improve his 3 point and his mid-range jumper we are going to drive opposing defenses crazy running around in circles trying to figure out who to focus on.
