And the excuse prior to his thumb injury would be...? LA has never had a good handle, even for a power forward. IMO, it's one of his biggest shortcomings as a stretch 4, and a big contributing factor to his high quantity of contested outside jumpers. Even when pressed, he doesn't have the ability to safely dribble in on or around his man.
That pick and roll in the final minute where he got the dunk--absolutely leveled CJ. TNT announcers tried suggesting using smaller defenders to allow for switching on the PnR, as though Leonard somehow was ineffective on that switch. No--Gasol's pick made that play. BTW, Aldridge should have rotated sooner...
Christ on a crutch. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when Stotts goes up to LaMarcus and says, "Hey big fella, I've got this wacky idea. How would you like to be a small forward? I mean yeah, I know you've got multiple appearances as an all-star at your natural position as a 4, but this would really be for the good of the tea . . . He big guy. Come back. I wasn't done talking."
LA is a beast, even injured..PFs aren't called on to dribble around much. I like his game and he has been playing injured for a long time..I respect what he's done this season
Nobody disagrees with any of that. Still doesn't change the fact that he doesn't dribble well. Most elite PF's have the ability to dribble into the paint when they get the ball 15-18 feet out in order to get a better shot. Aldridge doesn't do that well. It's a shortcoming. Acknowledging it doesn't make you less of a fan.
I disagree..his up and under moves in the post are skilled moves. He's also dealing with multiple defenders game to game. Who are these elite 7 ft ball handlers?
When he's in the low post, he's very skilled with his footwork, or one-dribble moves. That's not what I'm talking about. Have you never watched Dirk or Garnett (in his day) put the ball on the floor from the perimeter to get inside? I would venture that Griffin and Davis are both far superior ball-handlers to Aldridge as well. Love and Bosh too. Not to say that they're Steph Curry, but they're not a liability while dribbling. My question to you would be the reverse--what elite PF's have ball-handling skills that are equal to or worse than Aldridge's? Duncan (who is superior in other ways), and...?
I've tried bringing this up in the past to no avail. His dribbling is atrocious. (And he doesn't have very good hands when it comes to catching passes on the move, either.)
I think Dirk is one of the most awkward guys dribbling a ball in the paint I've seen..he dribbles about chest high and isn't great at finishing off the dribble. Duncan is a passer. Garnett is not a better ball handler IMO..I just don't see it. Hakeem was a great ball handler
And again, this isn't to take away from what he does well, which is many other things. But I do believe he would put up fewer ill-advised contested long two-point jumpshots if he had the ability to consistently dribble past a pressing defender.
I think his offense is great. He's a very good shooter. That part of his game doesn't need work. He can continue to work on defense, and working on a low post game will only make him a better player. The guy is 7'1" tall. There are going to be times when he finds himself with the ball close to the basket. He could be unstoppable high and low. Unguardable. Hit'em where they aint!
There you go. Both would be deadly with Meyers. CJ and Meyers off the bench is going to be a beautiful thing to behold next season!
I will agree that our whole team is substandard at finishing in the paint. I'd also add that Griffin and Durant are better ball handlers than LA
CJ/Meyers will be the younger/better version next year of what Blake/Kaman were this year. I'm already excited.
LA seems to drive the middle or right and take his defender but not left..he likes to go left because that's his sweet spot for shooting
