Spurs fans grade LMA first preseason game

[Draco]

Spurs fans grade LMA first preseason game

LMA - The spurs didn't really do much to give him the spacing people assumed he would get in spurs system. He looks fat and couldn't score in post ups. Defensively, he can obviously move and the effort was there. Hopefully we see SIGNIFICANTLY LESS LMA post ups and more Pnpop D-

- In all, all eyes are on LMA for the pre-season games as he is expected to be the biggest game-changer, and his mesh with the Spurs system makes-or-breaks the whole season. As of now his performance raises big concerns. It's not that he didn't make shots. It's that he doesn't seem comfortable with his teammates at all.

About LMA, he didn't shoot well, but made his open looks. The shots he missed were all contested and he seemed uncomfortable. There is some lack of chemistry there but also the guys on the starting unit are not great playmakers, so they channeled the offense some through him. He doesn't have good chemistry with Danny and between the two if them botched some plays that could have been 3s for Danny. Not going to freak out about it.

lol at Aldridge sounding like Anthony Bennett.

LMA - Out of shape. Couldn't hit anything.

Aldridge – A 20-foot turnaround fadeaway might be the worst shot in the game, and Aldridge whipped it out at least once. This was a failed first attempt at letting him be the man, but it’s not like coaching was ideal. – C

Aldridge, West, and Simmons looked totally lost out there last night unfortunately.

Aldridge floating around is going to become a common theme if Pop's playcalling is anything like Messina's, tbh. LMA strikes me as a guy that needs isolation possessions to get himself going. The whole 'beautiful game' thing just assured that he was never in rhythm and he deferred to Patty on most of his high post possessions. Doesn't help that the offense is STILL a trainwreck when there isn't a ballhandler on the floor.

I was dumbfounded how few postup isolations were called for Aldridge, given the fact that the starting lineup couldn't do shit but play motion and take a late shotclock heave. It reminded me of last year tbh.

Batum is a terrific playmaker and added a dimension to LMA game and the looks he got in Portland that we didn't see last night and I am not sure this starting group has any playmakers like that. I hope that w/ Timmy and Tony it will look better, but I have my concerns, too many iso guys a spot shooter and no playmakers does not a high scoring starting unit make. I am afraid that group will again depend on Tony to create looks and that is precisely what we wanted to alleviate.

Both halves started with a unit that had no chemistry and nothing to go to by LMA and Leonard post-ups.

The Spurs will be running their actual offense to get LMA good looks. Chemistry will be better with four guys who've played together for four years.

Aldridge has likely been playing extensively with the starters while they mesh that unit. The big 3 then don't make the trip. Him looking uncomfortable is expected I would think as he is now playing with lineups he has never seen before.

Why does Aldridge look like shit physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season.

 

[BrianFromWA]

A 20-foot turnaround fadeaway might be the worst shot in the game, and Aldridge whipped it out at least once. This was a failed first attempt at letting him be the man, but it’s not like coaching was ideal.

I'll let Sinobas or blue9 handle this one.

Why does Aldridge look like shit physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season.

Well, he had at least 11 paid-for steak dinners and got $80M guaranteed no matter how much like Boris Diaw he looks.

Hopefully we see SIGNIFICANTLY LESS LMA post ups and more Pnpop

Careful what you wish for...

 

[Sinobas]

Side note, how is it that the Spurs have still only played 1 pre-season game while some other teams have already played 3? And they are not scheduled to play their 2nd game until Monday. They only play 6 games as opposed to 7. Some teams must only get 6 because of the forgien games.

 

[Sinobas]

But man, it's interesting how Spurs fans seem to get it already! So many Blazer fans didn't get it after years of watching this. I think LA will be a disappointment to the Spurs. He's the most over-hyped player I can remember.

Some of them are still holding out hope that LA will become a Duncan-esqe team player that doesn't force up bad shots. But that's LAs game. That's why I was surprised so many teams wanted to throw the max at him. Did they watch film?

 

[Hobbesarable]

I was dumbfounded how few postup isolations were called for Aldridge

Haha. That Spurs fan didn't watch Blazer games for the last several years. Get used to the pick and pop.

Why does Aldridge look like shit physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season.

He must have enjoyed his summer and did absolutely nothing to keep himself in shape. Brian is right. LA looks a lot like Boris Diaw now.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Dear spurs fans,

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Most teams have one (if any) quality post defenders. When teams have to choose which one of LA or Duncan to guard tough, its gonna be....tough to guard both.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Dear spurs fans,

I can almost guarantee that I will steal this for a Forensic Fan around Nov 11...

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Batum is a terrific playmaker and added a dimension to LMA game and the looks he got in Portland that we didn't see last night

A prophet is not without honor...

 

[Sinobas]

A prophet is not without honor...

And actually, no Batum was not a terrific play maker and LA did not get great shots off due to his passing. Batum had high assist numbers, but he was not really a play maker.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

"Why does Aldridge look like shit physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season."

I guess practicing team push ups with Becky is working all the wrong muscle groups.....

 

[riverman]

Texas Tacos...how many time must I point this out?

 

[rasheedfan2005]

"Why does Aldridge look like shit physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season."

I guess practicing team push ups with Becky is working all the wrong muscle groups.....

Trying to ride coat tails makes you a lazy bitch maybe?

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

Trying to ride coat tails makes you a lazy bitch maybe?

I'm not sure that's what he was riding....

 

[BBert]

Trying to ride coat tails makes you a lazy bitch maybe?

I actually thought a more mellow version of this. Thinking "I'm on the Spurs, it's smooth sailing now" perhaps?

And LOL at the guy who wants LaTex to shoot MORE contested long twos. SMH

 

[PDXFonz]

I'll let Sinobas or blue9 handle this one.

Well, he had at least 11 paid-for steak dinners and got $80M guaranteed no matter how much like Boris Diaw he looks.

Careful what you wish for...

Borris Diaw?

Try Fat Albert...

 

[magnifier661]

"Why does Aldridge look like shit physically? He doesn't look like he's in shape at all. What has he been doing during the off-season."

I guess practicing team push ups with Becky is working all the wrong muscle groups.....

It surprises me that he didn't take the offseason to really work on his game and conditioning. Maybe he really did this only for the payday? It's a bit surreal

 

[Tunchi]

It surprises me that he didn't take the offseason to really work on his game and conditioning. Maybe he really did this only for the payday? It's a bit surreal

Oh god it's the preseason he'll be back in shape by next month. I hate Lma like a MFer but he's going to be killing on the Spurs. Mark my word

 

[Natebishop3]

It surprises me that he didn't take the offseason to really work on his game and conditioning. Maybe he really did this only for the payday? It's a bit surreal

What doesn't make sense to me is that he will only have one or two years with this current Spurs roster. So his window to win a championship is very small. You'd think he would come in ready to go.

 

[blazerboy30]

It's preseason. A brand new and totally different system. Without Tony. Without Timmy. And Pop is known for not caring about meaningless games. I wouldn't read too much into this. Pop will figure out how to utilize Aldridge.

 

[Tunchi]

It's preseason. A brand new and totally different system. Without Tony. Without Timmy. And Pop is known for not caring about meaningless games. I wouldn't read too much into this. Pop will figure out how to utilize Aldridge.

A lot of fans still crying he left, getting happy by any slight physical change for the worse lol

 

[Natebishop3]

It's preseason. A brand new and totally different system. Without Tony. Without Timmy. And Pop is known for not caring about meaningless games. I wouldn't read too much into this. Pop will figure out how to utilize Aldridge.

Sure, the off shooting night could be attributed to the new system, meaningless game, etc etc etc, but his current conditioning is pretty startling. I've never seen LMA that out of shape going into the season. It doesn't indicate a guy who is hungry to win a championship.

 

[blazerboy30]

Sure, the off shooting night could be attributed to the new system, meaningless game, etc etc etc, but his current conditioning is pretty startling. I've never seen LMA that out of shape going into the season. It doesn't indicate a guy who is hungry to win a championship.

Yeah, I agree...I am surprised to hear he's THAT out of shape. He never did that here, even when we didn't have a shot at contending. I guess a huge, guaranteed contract will do that to you.

 

[BBert]

It's preseason. A brand new and totally different system. Without Tony. Without Timmy. And Pop is known for not caring about meaningless games. I wouldn't read too much into this. Pop will figure out how to utilize Aldridge.

That's the thing I hate the most. Popovich will get LaTex to do things he wouldn't do here.

Grrr....

 

[BBert]

Come to think of it, the way Popovich likes to rest guys all season in preparation for the playoffs, maybe he told LaTex to take it easy over the summer, and LaTex really took him at his word?

 

[Draco]

I'm thinking he really made a mistake signing in San Antinio. If the Spurs don't make the WCF he will be thought of as a huge failure. If they win a title it'll be primarily the Spurs culture and the other title winning teammates that allowed him to succeed.

If he'd gone to Phoenix and got them into the second round he'd be a savior. Getting to the finals would put him in the hall of fame. That team has Chandler and improving Len at center. Spurs have a 39 year old along with a 35 year old West who is a PF not a center. Tyson seems old but he's an actual legit two way center better than LaMarcus has ever had while being a couple years younger than David West. They have Bledsoe and Knight at the guard spots. I don't believe Tony Parker will ever be healthy and effective as many remember him. Kawhi is definitely a stud but outside of him nobody on that Spurs team projects above average long term.

 

[magnifier661]

What doesn't make sense to me is that he will only have one or two years with this current Spurs roster. So his window to win a championship is very small. You'd think he would come in ready to go.

I think he just assumes the spur's model should be a shoe in championship

 

[Natebishop3]

There's an interesting article about the Spurs on ESPN, but I thought this graph was pretty funny. Look at those comparisons

 

[Draco]

There's an interesting article about the Spurs on ESPN, but I thought this graph was pretty funny. Look at those comparisons

Took me awhile to find.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/nba-san-antonio-spurs-preview/

 

[Natebishop3]

Took me awhile to find.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/nba-san-antonio-spurs-preview/

Sorry, completely forgot to include the link to the preview.... but it was on the front page of ESPN