I am a HUGE fan of his, but I see the same problem with Aldridge as I've seen in Sheed. Of course, not the attitude, but having so much talent and not wanting to be #1. Usually a player of his caliber demands the ball. Calls for it and makes a stink if he's not getting the passes when he established his position. Aldridge is a little too passive. He looks as if any sign of battling, he tends to drift out of the paint or pass out. I would love to see him take a more assertive approach to the game. I really would like to see him play with a chip on his shoulder. But mainly, score more in the post. He's still young, and I see he has a tremendous "Work ethic". Just grow some balls and battle down low.
I think he does OK. He's not a Maurice Lucas type PF, but he gets his hands dirty more so than Sheed.
Don't get me wrong. He is an amazing talent, and I've noticed him being more assertive on the boards. Just demand the ball sometimes. Want to punish the other team. Call for it and be more vocal on the court. He is our second highest player, a contract that you give to a proven leader. So just play like your paid and all will be good.
12 shots a game. That's all he's averaging right now. I don't know why this is so, but it has to improve. Soon.
I know. It's weird. I would think the best case would give Roy 16-17 shots a game, LMA 15 shots (20 if he takes everything inside ) and Oden should have around 10 a game.
He needs to take more shots, take it to the rim more, and play tougher on both ends of the court. He's a top 10 PF in the league and will only get better.
I agree he needs to get a few more shots up, but I'm also happy that our top 2 players aren't arguing over "Who's The Man". I think LA realizes that this is Brandon's team. But he also needs to realize that he needs to make the opposing team pay for doubling Roy.
I agree. He needs to man up a little. He needs to drive to the hoop and score. Force his way in there a couple times a game.
It's not wanting to be at the same level as B-Roy, but the quality of his scoring. Where it comes from. He also can lead on the defensive end as well. Rebound more and defend like a superstar PF.
He is passive. When I say some of the dynamics remain unchanged on the team. He is one of the dynamics I'm speaking of. Until he comes and dominates on both ends of the court. Offensively and defensively and plays with an edge. He will be a significant reason why this team struggles to get to where they aspire to go. To give you an idea of what I'm speaking of. The team drasitcally could have use someone in the post, points in the paint the other night against Atlanta in the fourth quarter. LaMarcus Aldridge was no where to be found and wasn't going to be found in that situation. Until he changes his mind set on somethings. This is what we have LaMarcus.
Unfortunately on that game, his number wasn't called, therefor I don't think it's a fair comparison. I think a better one was when they were feeding him in the post, and he would be pushed out of the paint on single coverage, only to swing to to the top of the key with 4 seconds left on the shot clock. Now on that Atlanta game, he was embarrassed by Smith on the rebounding end. Being pushed around all over on any rebounding position.
You know people said the same things about Sheed and then he went and won a championshiop as a piece of the Pistons. Folks seem to forget how bad we had it when Zbo was here, and he wouldn't hustle at all. I also would point out that the Blazers #1 rebounder on the road trip, was Aldridge. Not Pryz. Not Oden. Aldridge. So you can keep bitchin if you want, but this dude isn't the problem. If anything is a problem, it's the fact that the team goes away from him when he is hot, for absoutely no reason at all.
I think his rebounding has improved immensely. My only complain is that I would like to see him get a few more shots, and I would like to see him post up a bit more.
One of the things you said in your post was Usually a player of his caliber demands the ball. Calls for it and makes a stink if he's not getting the passes when he established his position. He wasn't doing that at all in the fourth. He wasn't doing anything for himself to get position in the fourth. I'd have to go look at the tape but I think most of his time was spent on the outside. waiting for the opportunity to chuck it.
My complaint isn't that he can't do those things. It's that he's not leading and demanding the ball more. He is fully capable of smashing the post and getting their bigs in foul trouble. I just worry that he's not making a conscience effort to punish the other teams in the paint. It may be Nate's fault, wanting him to be the #1 option off the pick and pop.
I want him to demand the ball more on the court. That type of demanding, when you are hot, is addictive. Be more assertive.
I agree. If only Miller would stop passing to Blake (his favorite target) and get the ball to Aldridge.
