It's hardly unusual in the NBA for coaches to assign their best offensive players to the opponent's least offensively gifted player. It makes sense both from a standpoint of not wearing your offensive player out and from not picking up fouls. Man, some of you guys are unreal in your criticism of LMA. The funny thing is, if he were playing for another team and there was a shot at getting him this summer, you'd probably be wearing out the Trade Machine coming up with ideas as to how to get him.
When hasn't Portland had a dominate PF? The Blazers have always been blessed with having such great PF it's like they grow on trees for us. The PF position is one position that always seems to even out for us.
With the way the Spurs have handled everyone in the playoffs this year(becides Dallas.. but it's a rivalry of course it's going to be tough) I don't see anyone contending with the Spurs next year. Injuries could play a role, as well as retirements. But honestly? the Spurs have blown out every team in the playoffs in at least one game this year. They're just good, too good. Dallas/Blazers/OKC/Miami.. None of those teams are labelled as "easy outs" Problem I have with the starting lineup is Batum/Wesley. Wesley needs to shoot a higher % in the playoffs. Or Batum needs to be that 3rd option consistently because a lot of times Wesley was the #3 option. Batum needs to be the #3 and sometimes #2 option on offense to take this team to the next level. Batum is paid like a #2/3 option he needs to play like it consistently on the offensive end by SCORING the ball, and not falling ASLEEP on the defensive end. Aldridge has shown he improves in the offseason there is no reason for me to disbelieve he won't do the same this offseason. Lillard.. While the guy can shoot, and everyone believes he has a competitive nature. He's shown the opposite of that on the defensive side of the ball. He hasn't pulled a Wesley and took someone scoring on him personally. Bottom line is the bench needs to be better. The Blazers need to be able to play small ball effectively without getting shit on. Meaning Aldridge needs to protect the rim but also the Guards must stop one dribble drives to the basket. Lopez has slow feet, meaning he can't play small ball effectively most of the time. When teams force small ball the Blazers went to Mo Williams. Who is also a liability defensively.. meaning the Blazers were screwed with two Guards who can't stop dribble penetration, and a Forward who falls asleep defending off the ball. With the way Will Barton defended in the playoffs and the natural ability he has to defend I want to see him more in small ball situations if the team stands pat. Less Mo Williams because in small ball situations help defense is hard to come by. Have to play your man straight up. Will Barton has the tools to do it and the ability to take a challenge on. Rim Protection begins with Guards. Ends with a contested shot/block. But in no way is team defense on ONE player like some people are making it sound. I mean.. It's called team defense for a reason The last statement wasn't directed at anyone in particular.
Mark (Portland) [via mobile] Would you trade Aldridge for the #1 pick? To me, it seems like 4 years of low contract plus 4-5 more years after that is better, but most Blazers fans seem to prefer Aldridge. Kevin Pelton (3:57 PM) I would. To me the big advantage is the low cap number for the No. 1 pick in the summer of 2015, which would give the Blazers the opportunity to re-sign their starters and potentially add someone else. And there's the chance Aldridge walks then, in which case it would be great to get a valuable asset for him. But I can sympathize with fans who don't want to break up a quality team for a player who might never be as good as Aldridge.
Lamarcus is under contract for one more year, correct? If we dont sign him or trade him, he's gone for nothing. Right?
Hmmmmm. If I were him, I'd just wait a year and sign a huge contract in Texas with Dallas. KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!
Trading Aldridge for the #1 and players like Anderson Varejao, Tristan Thompson, Jarrett Jack, Dion Waiters isn't as big of step back as some make it out to be.
Lets say the trade was #1, TT/Jack whoever we take at #1 even if they come out and play really well we are going to be fighting for the 8th spot and our ceiling will be dictated on how quickly and how well that #1 pick develops. There is a very good chance that player doesn't' even turn out to be as good as LA.
Ya it's a gamble but also keeping Aldridge is a gamble. He will be a free agent and will take up a lot of cap room. Not to mention if we did trade him the Blazers would get to go shopping in free agency.
Not exaggerating a bit. We're climbing the ladder, and we're on a higher rung than we've been on for a long, long time. There's no logical reason to climb back down the ladder because we think there might be another ladder somewhere nearby that might be almost as good. Trading LaMarcus for a draft pick is a terrible, terrible idea.
