First Sheed, then ZBo, now Aldridge...

Check this out: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=230069

 

I agree that Hicksons "junk" scoring is valuable, I look at him as more of a Jerome Kersey type guy though, hustles and does the dirty work.

I also agree that LA is not perfect but his scoring and defense are all star caliber and a lot harder to replicate than Hicksons contribution. Every player has their strenghts and weaknesses and you just have to accept LA for what he brings to the table. Which is a top 20 player in the league and and outside in PF in the mold of Dirk. One problem for all bigs though is that they need some good smalls to play off, I think LA and Lillard will be the perfect compliment to eachother. Now we need a center in the Hibbert/Oden type to compliment LA on that front and then bring Hickson off the bench and we will have a solid all around lineup. It will be interesting to see how Leonard develops and fits into this team.

 

Maybe I missed it, but I don't think anyone has addressed that Aldridge is not stepping up as a leader for this team. Wesley Matthews is doing this. He is probably our 5th best player on the team (maybe 4th). Aldridge is our All star and he did not try to take control last year, he has not tried to take control this year. He knows we're not going to make the play offs, but that doesn't mean you roll over and die.

 

That's probably my biggest fear with having LA as our #1, his leadership skills are seriously lacking (at least from the outside perspective). Nobody listened to him during the mutiny last year, and he clearly is showing a lack of interest this year. And his comments throughout the first month make it seem as if he's resigned to the fact that we suck and won't go anywhere. I think I even prefer Nic's leadership like when he's demanding the ball or telling people where to go/do etc. It's more an indictment of Aldridge lacking than Nic improving.

Hopefully, Dame will take the reigns soon. It's best when a top player on the team is holding others accountable and steadying the players rather than a supporting guy like Wes.

 

In case you guys didn't see:
http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/11/28/3705402/reports-veterans-address-blazers-after-loss-to-wizards-lamarcus

 

people that want to see Aldridge on the low block instead of the high should be rooting for Portland to add another Big who can operate from the top of the key. Much like how Sheed was primarily on the low block when they had Sabonis patched together, Aldridge was able to shift to the low block with Camby. I'm liking that Leonard has a good looking jumper for this very reason, he just needs to figure out how to play as he has both coordination and athleticism.

While I like JJ and what he brings and applauded when he was resigned this past off-season, I was applauding them doing well for what was realistically available. He is not a threat from the top of the key either shooting or passing. His effectiveness is limited to the low block which pushes LA outside for spacing. Aldridge's ability to fill either Big offensive role effectively is very valuable as too many cooks in the kitchen is bad for everyone.

STOMP

 

I am not convinced at all that Hickson is merely a junk-yard dog or put-back baskets player. He played the free throw line extended just fine at the end of the season last year where LMA missed the last 8-10 games of the season.

 

I live in SF and follow the Giants. When their backs were up against the wall in the playoffs, it wasn't MVP Buster Posey leading the team meetings as he's more of a quiet lead by example type. It was struggling outfielder Hunter Pence who had just been added to the team a couple months earlier who famously led their locker room rally speeches. There are many other examples of average players being the outspoken leader of the locker room on teams that spring to mind. I can think of good teams and bad that had that... it really doesn't seem to have much bearing on winning especially compared to things like talent

STOMP

 

This.

Most of the anti-Sheed&Zach hysteria had nothing to do with basketball. The LMA concerns are all about basketball. HUGE difference.

 

Ya game wise, if Lamonster would resurface, he'd be the PERFECT fit next to Dame and Nic.

 

Zbo and Sheed: Jive-ass-team-cancer punks.

Aldridge: Not.

Still, a trade involving LMA for future assets would make sense for this team right now.

 

LMA's being an "all-star" and his scoring average are irrelevant. There have been PLENTY of mediocre All-Stars over the years - LME is definitely one of them. And so what if he's in the Top 20 in PPG, or the top scoring PF in the league? That doesn't mean ANYTHING when it comes to winning games. You know that Tyreke Evans was averaging 20ppg, and was a Top 20 scorer, right? And how well did that translate to wins? How about Monta Ellis, Kevin Martin, Andrea Bargnani, Amare Stoudemire, Chris Bosh?

Let's stop pretending that being named an all-star has any bearing on a player's ability to play winning basketball, or that somehow averaging 20ppg means that they are undeniably great. The league is full of players who could average 20ppg if the offense were ran through them - and most of them would lead their teams right to the lottery just like LMA.

 

We have "future assets" on our bench right now and see how that's working out for us.

 

Yeah, but you have to actually address the team needs rather than throw out this mantra of "building for the future". THIS HARDLY EVER WORKS. We'll be stuck with a bunch of shitty raw talent...guys that will be nothing more than role players and bench. You can only trade Aldridge if you're getting a legit starter in return who has proven themselves.

You look at our team and stockpiling young talent, cap space and draft picks isn't what we need at all.

Getting a center + bench would put us back in the playoff race. Dumping Aldridge for young 3rd string PFs and draft picks and we're a 12 win team.

 

I hear you. It's always a hit and miss game, and barton may still amount to something.

If they could get some high draft picks for LMA it might be worth a shot. I would be surprised to see him sign with Portland when the contract is up and that isn't too far off.

 

Well we're not far off from being a 12 win team WITH LMA. But nobody is saying we should dump him for 3rd string players. Ideally we'd get one starter, one bench player and if Olshey is really doing his job well then maybe a draft pick too.

 

ZBo was a dick, Aldridge was entertaining, but I like Aldridge. I haven't turned on him at all. I wish he'd rebound more, that's about it. People lead in different ways, that's a fact of life. Aldridge likes to lead by example instead of talking, I'm fine with that. It's good we have guys like Wes though.

But lets face it, leadership isn't this teams problem. It's a complete and total lack of depth and defense. It'll take another year at least to get the personnel that might make them a playoff team.

 

Let's see. Our bench is historically one of the worst ones in league history. Let's solve this problem by trading our leading scorer who isn't really the problem here.

 

What, in one of the worst upcoming drafts in recent years without knowing any positioning? Trade away a 27 year old PF who's probably the 2nd best in the league right now for these draft picks and more bad bench players?

Great strategery.

 

For an allstar... Wow, that would be amazing... that's sure how you win in the NBA...