And yet, Toronto aside because Colangelo is an idiot, Cleveland, because of tanking and landing Irving, probably has a better future ahead of them, at least as it pertains to winning a title, than Utah and Denver do, regardless of whether the sum of the smaller parts is better.
OK, I see James situation as completely different, but Bosh seems almost equivalent (if I remember correctly, Bosh was much more highly thought of than LMA). Of course there is a chance Blazers could lose Aldridge. But there are also players who resigned with their clubs after becoming UFA (Deron Williams). So they could lose Aldridige or end up re-signing him. Bottom line, there is a risk involved both in trading or keeping LMA. But one thing seems clear, trading one of the team's best players for draft picks is a clear signal the team is rebuilding. So this comes down more to should this team rebuild or try to make a run with their core players. I say run baby, run.
I thought the deal was LMA only. I wouldn't include anything else. LMA for the #1, #19, and Thompson. Either use the #10 to draft depth or trade it with Wes and the 19 for other talent. Use cap space to sign a replacement for LMA. I really don't think it's that bad of a deal. We're not talking about a LeBron or a Chris Paul. I like Aldridge, I think he's a good player, but he's not a superstar. He's a very good All-Star. If we could net a #1, that's pretty good value. Utah really didn't get shit for Deron Williams. Denver did okay on the Melo deal. I guess it all depends on how Lillard develops this year and how Aldridge feels about staying.
The concern shouldn't be whether LMA might leave in two years, the concern should be whether he's good enough to win a championship on a superstar-less team (a la Detroit). And I've seen more than enough to answer that with a definitive "no". There are so many PF options that will give you a little less scoring but a whole lot more in other areas that it just doesn't make any sense to hang on to this guy merely because he made a couple of all-star games. Get the biggest haul for him that you can get and don't worry about what he goes on to do, because he will never win a championship in Portland.
What exactly is good enough to win on a superstar-less team? I think he can function as a very good #2 to Lillard.
If Aldridge won't win a championship in Portland What makes you think Favors/Horford/Monroe/Noel/Thompson would? You created an argument for trading Aldridge, but at the same time that argument shits all over any player the Blazers would receive in return. You're making the problem worse, not better. Might as well trade Lillard as well if that's your argument. Lots of bad ideas in this thread.
This statement needs a little clarification because its sounds like your saying all LMA is good at is scoring. What other PF's can we get that will help out a lot more in other areas? Please explain this because about the only thing we could "upgrade" at the PF position with a FA this off season is rebounding and if we got Josh Smith defense when he feels like it.
In order to build a championship team that's not centered around a superstar or three you need to have a starting unit of 4-5 complete players - players who aren't the best at any one thing, but are very good at everything...or at least the parts of the game that are key to the position they play. The bigs need to be able to defend one-on-one as well as help out by rotating. They need to be able to set solid picks to create space for the guards/wings, and then know where to roll. And they've got to be able to crash the boards. Also, having the vision and ability to pass when lanes open up is highly valuable to an egalitarian offense. LMA doesn't possess these traits. His only impact on the game is his scoring. And while points are necessary to win, we'd be a far more effective team if we had a PF who contributed more defense, rebounding, passing, and picks even at the expense of points. We can make up for the ~8 points we'll lose by trading LMA for a "lesser" PF by spreading the shots around to players who will take higher percentage or higher value shots. On offense LMA is a fine (not very good, but fine) #2 option. But he's not effective enough as a scorer to make up for his shortcomings elsewhere for him to ever be a key component to a championship team. His man-defense is fine (again, just fine), but his help/team defense is atrocious. His rebounding improved this year, but still leaves a lot to be desired. I always come back to Bosh with regards to LMA. Bosh has always been a more complete and skilled player. But Bosh was a joke as the #1 option in TOR. Now that he's the 3rd wheel in MIA he's playing in a spot that's more suited to his talents - but MIA could just as easily replace him with a couple players who make less money, and might not be quite the scoring threat but provide better defense and rebounding, and become an even more effective team. Bosh isn't the key to their championship hopes, and if Bosh is better than LMA how are we hanging our championship hopes on LMA?
Guarantee LMA will be better than Bosh next year, Guaran-fucking-tee. This was a 'down year' for LaMarcus and his numbers were still stellar.
I'll just go ahead and disagree that LMA's only impact on the game is his scoring. But I know you've been down on him for quite some time, so don't see a point in really arguing it with you. You're going to see him in that negative light, and see greener grass elsewhere. So be it.
The basic answer is that Bosh is not better than LMA and your "analysis" of his game is flawed. Your assertion that, "we'd be a far more effective team if we had a PF who contributed more defense, rebounding, passing, and picks even at the expense of points", is flat out wrong, IMHO. Front court production is critical to success in the NBA and without LMA's ability to score the Blazers would have lost another 20 games this season. But then, I guess that would be okay with many of you because then we'd maybe have the number one pick in this wonderful draft and you guys could continue panning those shallow waters for fools gold.
While it's true that it's doubtful you could convince me otherwise, I'd still be interested in hearing how you feel LMA appreciably impacts the game. I mean, obviously he does things other than just scoring - I just don't see it done at the level necessary to contend for a championship (or even make/advance in the playoffs).
Oooookay. Except Bosh IS better than LMA - there's no question about that. And LMA doesn't really score in the front court - he scores from 18' out, and that's largely why we won't go anywhere with him leading the team in FGA. Swap out LMA for just about any other of the top 15 PFs and we'd have essentially the same record.
Ooooooooookaaaaaay! Is this where we pull out the pages of stats and get all indignant with each other? I'm too short of time and lacking in interest to play that game today. I've always thought Bosh was a bit overrated and I think you are letting your predjudice against LMA color your opinions, but whatever. To each their own delusions...just don't mess with mine.
M.S. Boyer/J. Valade @PDcavsinsider 55s Comparing Josh Gordon to Vincent Jackson, Tribe's woes and trading for LaMarcus Aldridge: Blog Roundup: ... http://bit.ly/1471XcX #cavs http://kingjamesgospel.com/2013/05/...nSided&utm_medium=Network&utm_campaign=NavBar
This deal keeps popping up all over the place, viewed from both sides. I think if the Blazers can't get a legit center this summer, then I could see this deal making sense for both teams.
Late to the party here, but I I kind of like the trade as proposed. It's tough to think that they'll get a direct replacement for LaMarcus' production out of Thompson, or even paired with the number 1 pick (in this draft), but the extra cap space and the fact that they'd be adding some depth could line this team up to be in a good position in a couple of years as Lillards enters his prime. As always though, I don't think Paul Allen or the fan base has the stomach for another 2 or 3 years of sucking balls for just the chance to get into the upper echelon. Never going to happen, but it's an interesting thought.
As has been mentioned, however, we don't necessarily have to suck. Signing Al Jefferson, for instance, would essentially replace Aldridge's scoring/rebounding, and do so with a more pronounced inside presence. In fact, I think a post player like Jeff could actually open up more room for our perimeter players.
Jefferson is actually a much better fit with Meyscrub Leonscrub. Who has a nice face up game and prefers not to bang. Not advocating, just sayin
Not sure I agree. Two centers who have yet to prove they can play D, does not sound like a good combo.
