Anyone else hate watching LMA?

I also have to add I find it funny people don't care to watch Aldridge, because of his offensive game, and him lacking a true post game. With all of the fakes and whatever that go with it. I remember having that 4 years ago. And you'd have to sit through 5 or 6 seconds of fakes to see a shot, and THAT was boring. And about as effective as drawing fouls, I might add.

 

It cracks me up that so many people are down on LMA, the areas where he's typically been "bad", rebounding in particular are the best they've ever been, but now that he's getting 2-3 fewer shots per game and can't take as many chances on blocks (being the only real big man of worth) he's "terrible."

All things considered I'm pretty hopeful that this year's offensive performance is a setback and not any kind of longterm trend downward.

 

Bingo. You beat me to it. Aldridge is wasted in McMillan's glacially paced system. He is a gazelle running in wet concrete.

People talk about Miller being a "poor fit" in Nate's system, but if that's that case, so is Aldridge - and Oden.

We NEED a system that takes advantage of ALL of our talent, not just ONE player. Triangle offense anyone?

BNM

 

the idea that aldridge has drifted outside more than normal is entirely false. the past three seasons, his percentage of jump shots hasn't changed.

 

How does the triangle change the pace of our offense?

 

It creates more player movement and more ball movement. It should create open looks earlier in the shot clock than our current "hold the ball until the shot clock is at 8 and then run an ISO for Roy" offense.

BNM

 

So that really does nothing for LMA getting out into space, does it? The triangle isn't making use of his gazelle like abilities.

 

Well, it's a good thing you don't bother watching him much. Brick?

 

There's no doubt that LaMarcus plays soft for a man of his size. (one more reason why Blake, who plays even softer) shouldn't be on the floor at the same time with him.

 

I don't even know what "soft" means anymore, since the term just tossed around now.

So tell me, what makes LaMarcus so "soft" and why is that bad?

 

I'm a fan of LA, but when i think soft, I think about a player who doesn't make the hard foul when needed, who doesn't seem to like a lot of contact, who has size but doesn't take it strong to the rim.

LA, IMO, is a finesse player. Up until Oden got hurt, there was nothing wrong with that.

 

Why not. The more he moves around on offense - and he would be moving constantly in the triangle - the tougher it is for slower, more plodding power forwards to keep up with him.

Yes, we should also fast break more, but the triangle is a half court offense - and half court offense with a LOT more ball and player movement than our current all ISOs all the time system. How can a system with more player movement and more ball movement NOT help Aldridge's offensive game?

BNM

 

Because end line to end line speed isn't going to matter at all in a half court set. Plodding defender or not. I am not saying the triangle wouldn't be great to use. I would love to see it. But it isn't going to make us fast break any more than we currently do.

 

Of course it's not. It's a half court offense. It has nothing to do with fast breaks.

I do think it would create more scoring opportunities for LaMarcus than our current glacially slow isolation based half court offense.

BNM

 

The one thing that's really holding Aldridge back from being an AS imo is not his post game - it's his ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop. Dirk, Amare, Bosh, these guys can put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop and either make the shot or get fouled. All at one point have averaged close to 10 FTA per game and being able to put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop is a big reason why.

 

Uh no.

 

I get get frustrated with the constant bitching. Just watch the games and leave it be. What a nag.

 

I think these two quotes reflect my line of thinking. LaMarcus Aldridge is a really good offensive option at 8 to 18 feet. I'd love to see him improve his handles and his post moves. But if the Blazers could get back a healthy Greg Oden, that'd give the Blazers the best of both worlds - an inside force and a versatile option with size.

LaMarcus Aldridge has lots of similarities to Rasheed Wallace - and Sheed's best years in Portland, he had a powerful inside option (Sabonis, most of that time).

 

Last year was a statistical per minute down year for him, too (-0.7 effectiveness, change between 2007-08 and 08-09). This year, with no one else inside except ancient Juwan, his stats should have jumped way up. Instead, it's again a slightly down year for him, per minute(-0.3 effectiveness, change between 08-09 and 09-10). He needs either a more abusive coach, or one who designs plays to use his talents. I want to see players bouncing off of him, and him bouncing off of them. Hard contact.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketbal...d-trail-blazers/team/profile/10/25/13-1-2-eff

 

Q Anyone else hate watching LMA?

I hate that he's injured and having to play through it as I think it will probably delay a return to full health for him. Even hobbled, he's important enough to their chances of winning that they're doing this. Some fans seem to have short term memory problems... Aldridge is a solid player on both ends.

about the only thing I (at least somewhat) agreed with in the OP was that he is overpaid. The new extension seemed slightly above where it should be. That they were offering him security ahead of schedule warranted a discount from his end. But then again quality Bigs have supply and demand on their side

STOMP