I don't think he really is -- LMA is not a center and refuses to play the low-block on a consistent basis.
Does anyone have the stats for LMA when he played 31 games at center in the 2010 season? I recall them being better then his averages for that season by a decent amount. You can play LMA at center because true centers that would abuse him are a dying breed, you have a handful left.
When he played center and asked for the ball deep on the block he was arguably the best low-post scorer in the game. That's what makes him so frustrating. He can dominate if he wants but he loves that jumper.
Reminds me of when we moved Sheed to center and we started killing people. Things were going really well and then we dealt him to ATL.
Forcing him to play in the post is not a bad thing. LMA falls in love with that outside shot too much.
Right, I think Aldridge can play center provided the power forward is a physical presence and a better than average defender. Everyone from Nate down to Antonio Harvey has pointed this out. Is Robinson really that guy? He'll play physical (he'll have to in order to thrive), but is he big and athletic enough to be a premier defensive guy? I dunno.
Yeah, that was an interesting frontcourt where guy's strengths on one end compensated for others weaknesses and vice versa. Sheed was the defensive presence, Randolph in the box on offense, and Miles was perfect for the backdoor dump options and help defense. I think we'd need that 3rd guy to be our Randolph on offense and Sheed on defense, and that's a tall order.
Aldridge has the tools to be Sheed... he just needs the desire. Batum could be just as good as Miles, we just need a Zach Randolph type guy. I'm willing to bet we could get Al-Jeff pretty easily.
Al Jefferson is an interesting candidate. He doesn't move very well on D, but I think he'd definitely complement Aldridge on offense. Our D wouldn't take a step up however. What's more likely? Aldridge becomes exclusively a box post guy, or Aldridge becomes a top level defender? I think the former, although the odds aren't very good. Comparing Aldridge to Sheed on defense, Sheed had really good core, lower body strength. He was hard to move on defense. I don't think Aldridge can get that. I think that's why his defense hasn't really improved much over the course of his career.
The sad thing is there aren't many good PF defenders anymore. LA is considered an above average defender and when compared to a lot of the undersized PF's around he is actually one of the better ones. He could become elite if he works on his help defense/shot blocking.
Here are his stats, for each position at which he started according to HoopStats, including playoff games. He was a little better at Center. 2010-11 http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketbal...ers/players/lamarcus-aldridge/stats/11/25/350 2011-12 (1st 55 games) http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketbal...ers/players/lamarcus-aldridge/stats/12/25/359
We could get the Zach-like brick wall Sullinger even more easily. I like how you and DrTimmy are honoring the talented Sheed-Zach-Darius front line. Nash had to break it up to please the Oregonian, so most fans think that lineup sucked, but it was better than the choirboys we have now.
One in a million ping pong balls... If #6 morphs into #2, and #11 morphs into #7, we will take...BEAL AND ZELLER?? http://sportsbyblayze.blogspot.com/2012/05/2012-nba-mock-draft-5-15-2012.html
