I maintain that LaMarcus would be better under a different coach that; 1. would consistently take advantage of LMA's ability to run the floor faster than most (if not all) big men 2. not have him guarding on the perimeter so he could help weakside as he was a good blocker in college. It would also help increase his rebounding abilities if he wasn't on a fucking point guard after switching. There has just been no explainable reason as to why it took so many injuries to force Nate to push the tempo with LaMarcus in the game. As we saw last night the other team has to devote two or three guys to his running abilities, and then our shooters can get a secondary fast break three pointer.
We watched different games then because I was very impressed. I saw several times when Aldridge didn't settle and went inside on either Blair or Duncan, getting either short 9 foot shots or going to the line. He showed great effort on the boards, ran the fast-break extremely well, and even had some great defensive stands on Timmy. He's played like an all-star the last two games, I just wish he'd do it more often. And you make it sound like hitting big-time tough jumpers in crunch time, like Travis, is a bad thing. I liked his willingness to take those shots, and of course make them.
I admit I only saw the second half but I stand by my observations.. Doug Collins was basically saying the same thing. If Aldridge is such a good defender why was Juwan Howard on Duncan whenever they were both in the game? It certainly wasn't because Aldridge was needed to guard someone quicker. McDyess doesn't have much mobility anymore. I've never considered Aldridge an average defender. I wasn't trying to make it sound like hitting tough jumpers is a bad thing, but when it is basically the only thing a player does consistently (see Travis Outlaw) it is not a good thing.
Because Duncan doesn't score his point by being a better athlete than his opponent, he gets away with being crafty. Juwan Howard has guarded Duncan before, is a smart player and knows his tendencies.
True...add in Pinwheel's thoughts on Portland not being able to have LA in foul trouble because he's the hub on O and Vanilla has the answere. STOMP
