Aldridge deserved every bit of criticism he received over the past 2 or 3 years for his soft, fade-away, "unclutch," no-rebounding game ... that he's turning it around now is great, but don't pretend that somehow people were out of line for being a disappointed in him.
I know quite a few, myself included, mentioned the system being a reason why he had low rebound numbers. Odd that as he plays closer to the basket, and is a focal point on offense instead of playing primarily pick and pop, his rebounding numbers have gone up. Also odd that when he plays C and Camby sits, his rebound numbers look better.
a drum I've been beating throughout LA's time in Portland is that he's been staying out of the low box as part of the design of the offense. Roy needed the paint uncluttered as possible for his drives to the hoop and Joel or Greg were incapable of playing anywhere else... someone has to pull the other Big guarding them outside. With those others out injured, the low block is now his and he's flourishing in the bigger role. He always had this sort of capability, but the needs of the team had him playing much more of a supporting role. it turns out being featured matters... who'd have thunk it??? STOMP
Once again, I've been a huge LA fan and supporter since he came to our team. You realize how many people are gone that used to shoot the rock right? With Brandon, Bayless, Travis, Blake, Marty all gone there are more shots to be had. I like that he is in the post, but that is because he always had to float because Brandon was taking it to the rack. With Camby as the only other rebounder we have and no Joel, LA is getting more boards as well. Supporters and Bashers need to just take a look at the circumstances.
Was it just this summer when people were on his case for turning down Team USA and scoffing at reports that he'd put on muscle? It's between him and Rondo now for best remaining player from the draft class of 2006.
Aldrige has been playing great. He is now playing like I expected him to play when we got him. I don't know what switch they flipped, but as I have said in past threads, somehow they finally got his "Motor Running". What I have noticed about Aldridge these last couple of weeks, is that now when teams run a double team at Aldridge, he is more patient, and he always has an answer for them. Even earlier this yeaar, teams would run a double team at him and he would immediately pass out. Now he doesn't. He also has options in the post he didn't have before. Opposing teams would often just over play him with a smaller player. Now if they over play him, he reverses for the alley oop. He is no longer over thinking everything. He looks relaxed, and looks like he knows exactly what to do, no matter how the defense handles him. I guess my question is, what took you so long big fella? This was the Lamarcus I was waiting to start to appear in year 2. Yesterday I think one of the biggest chuckles I got was when Aldridge took an outside jumper and I realized, I couldn't remember the last time I saw him take an outside shot, and I laughed out loud. Earlier this year I thought I would never see that day. So to say this season doesn't have it's bright spots, is definitely wrong. This one alone gives me optimism for the future.
I'm one of those who thought his style and production was due to the offense -- he was doing what his coach wanted him to do -- and clearing out for Brandon. Even so, there have been times in the past when I've been frustrated by what I saw as opportunties to take it to the hoop where he shot the turnaround instead. I love having LaMarcus in the post. The big bonus of having Brandon sit out and LaMarcus take over the offense is that now, when (if) Brandon comes back, we won't be clearing LaMarcus out of the middle any more. Brandon will have to work from the outside, like a shooting guard, like I've said he should for two years. This will be much better for Brandon and his health.
the team is 8-3 (or winning 73% of the time) without Brandon... only 4 teams in the league are winning above that clip. it's almost like they might be capable of more then the 8th seed as we go forward STOMP
Yea you never know, especially with New Orleans. It seems to me New Orleans is having some problems due to the storm cloud hanging above the franchise. They were playing good, but if you look at it, they started having problems as soon as the NBA said they were taking ownership and talks of moving started. As soon as that started, all of the team started playing like it was looking over it's shoulder the whole time. Player worrying about having to sell million dollar houses and moving. Players wondering what will happen with ownership and player procurement now that the team is owned by the NBA. That is a lot of stuff on the minds of the players and coaching staff. We might just be able to catch them. Hell who knows. Maybe that first round pick for Bayless might just turn out ok after all.
of course the club is better without the broken down version of Roy that we've seen this year. Better then the healthy AS Roy? Of course not... has anyone contended otherwise? STOMP
we are not better because the absence of a healthy Roy no... but with Roy in his present condition, and the team trying to play the role with him being the man... yes we are better cause they arent doing that. If Roy was in here with a support role, maybe even off the bench, hell yes we would be even better.
I am delighted by Aldridge's play... but he's playing out of his mind. As good as he has been/is/is capable of, there are just not many players that can keep up an MVP-like level of production. I bring this up because when he slows down a bit (and he will... because he's human) this burst of awesome play will be used by the Aldridge bashers to "prove" what he can do if he just tries harder. Ed O.
How many games does a burst last before it's a streak or before it's "the new normal"? He's been maintaining these crazy MVP numbers for 9 games now, which is longer than any streak I remember from a Blazer. From 12-15-10 through 1-2-11 (9 games), LMA is averaging: 25.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2 BPG. That's 11% of the season. I'm not saying this is the new normal, but he's been pretty consistent since the 15th, to the point where, against Houston, his 25/11 was an "average" game and he got those stats in 32 minutes through 3 quarters, 6 minutes less than the last time he scored 25+ (the game before). It's almost like he's getting better at playing at this level.
YEAR 2? kinda like how Greg Oden was gonna when us 15 championships by now? Perception is Reality my friend, and in my perception becoming an elite scoring PF in the World's best Basketball league takes many many years. People who claim he had reached his ceiling are ridiculous. He's come along ways, still has along ways to go, but luckily has a ton in the tank and I having nothing but confidence that he will become Elite, and so will the Blazers. You just have some foresight to look beyond your twitterz
