We should never have run Zbo out of town for this guy, in fact, I would welcome him back with open arms now that he's matured before I would even think of trading for LaBenedict.
I don't think Aldridge is a cancer, he's just a player who's skillset is somewhat awkward. He's a jump-shooting center who doesn't want to play center, doesn't shoot from long enough range to be a true stretch forward but from far enough away not to be much of a force on the offensive boards. Mid-range shots aren't exactly gold from an efficiency standpoint. His defense is okay positionally, but he's not amazing in a switch-heavy defense nor is he a real shot-blocking big who can sink into the paint on pick-and-rolls. He'd be a bigger star in the '90s, where defending his dude and shooting from mid-range were a bigger deal.
I believe it is one year shorter - and you are right - he would look better next to a big bruiser - but honestly, he is not going to get better - he is definitely on the downward trajectory of his career - where Crabbe is going to get better (how much better is debatable). I also think that Crabbe is easier to move going forward - because of his age. To be honest, with a guy like Nurk in the middle - Portland probably needs a good stretch 4 more than another mid-range specialist (as LMA is). There is no doubt that LMA is a better player than Crabbe (bad game every once in a while or not) - and he is on a shorter contract - but Portland is building for the 2018-2019 and after seasons imho, not for next year - and in this time-frame, Crabbe makes more sense. For the record - I always liked LMA and said so repeatedly - he was also very nice to my kid the time she got to meet him - so no hard feeling from me about him, but he is just not the right answer for this team going forward, imho.
Actually, moving Crabbe's contract so we can afford Nurk's extension makes the most sense. I'm not convinced Crabbe has any untapped upside. He got paid and didn't exactly have a breakout year. Sure, his 3FG% was up, but his overall production was down, he is streaking as hell and completely vanished in the playoffs. Again, I know Aldridge isn't coming back, just playing "what ifs". If the deal was on the table, I'd swap Crabbe for Aldridge in a heartbeat just to get out from under Crabbe's contract. $19 million a year for a guy who was a complete no show for an entire playoff series is a huge waste of money that could be better spent elsewhere. BNM
Personal feelings aside, trading Crabbe for Aldridge would make the Blazers a better team. As long as Aldridge accepted being No. 4 in the pecking order. I think the Spurs would do it. Crabbe would probably do well playing for the Spurs.
Just sayin' they act like it. Like maybe we should have warned them or something. That's how sheltered these fans are. They've forgotten what it's like to have the wheels fall off......
I got you. It's the Spurs fans I'm laughing at. Fuck them. I hope they suffer for as long as they've been spoiled.
I would trade Crabbe for LMA in a heartbeat.... Then I would turn right around and trade LMA for something of value like we should have the first go-around.
Three team trade: Crabbe to SAS, Aldridge to IND (where Nate thinks he can turn him back into the LaMonster he was for that one season) and PG13 to POR. BNM
There's no need to argue about whether or not LaMarcus is a cancer. He definitely is -- his birthday is July 19th.
NASA ruined your joke. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nasa-zodiac-change_us_57e44265e4b08d73b8305919
Noty quite accurate. They also have this so so player named Kwahi Leonard. Most teams would rather have him than most players you just noted. At least over Kyrie, and Harden.
Vonleh is better as the 4th (or 5th) option. He's a better defender all around, and a MUCH better defender on the perimeter and in switching scenarios. When you're the 4th/5th option you need to be good at defense and all the things that don't show up in the box score, and LA has never been good at doing those things...or scoring.
LMA has too much pride to ever come back to Portland. And even if he was forced to, he would never be happy. However if we are just talking hypothetically.....offensively he would be a great fit with Dame, CJ, and Nurk. But I agree with Blue9, I would prefer a 4 that can cover the perimeter a lot better than LA.
