One of many ways to compare players, but I found this to be at the very least interesting. After reading about Aldridge's expection level, I thought I'd see where he compared over players of similar age over the past 10 seasons. The critieria I used were forwards over the past 10 years, age 24, with PPG>=17, RPG>=8, APG>=2, and FG%>=.49. Link
Interesting. Repped. Some very good players on those lists. 2 things that stand out on the first link are LA's lack of FT attempts and block shots. LA has got to take the ball strong to the hoop more and get more fouls on the opposing bigs and get easy pts at the FT line. Wow, maybe LA isnt as bad as so many of you think.
I noticed that as well, and Aldridge is a very good FT shooter. I'm not sure he has the game to get those FT attempts, though. Also, his blocks/game are much lower and have actually regressed this year. Still, he's in pretty good company on both lists, and I feel the criteria I used (PPG/RPG/APG and FG%) are important and indicative of player value in terms of on-court contributions.
LMA doesn't have the handles for that ... frankly I think a strong handle is the thing keeping him from taking the step up from good player to great -- especially with his ability to face up and hit shots.
Your query is skewed. The requirement of 2 assist per game is removing a lot of players. Would you really take that 1 more assist per game than say, Chris Bosh averaging 24 and 10 at the age of 24? Somehow Dirk Nowitzki doesn't make your list either, even though he averaged 23 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assist per game in 2002 when he would have been 24. Those are just the first 2 that came to mind when I looked them up. Statistics can say anything you want if you skew them enough. It just matters what you want them to say.
All queries are skewed, and all statistics can be spun. I merely put in some numbers and got some results. I added assists because it is indicative of a willingness to help out teammates to get them shots. Adding Bosh and Nowitzki to the list doesn't really insult Aldridge though, does it?
The problem is your are saying they belong on the same list. Those guys averaged way more in the scoring department, and rebounding department. They are not on the same list IMO, if they are the list is meaningless. They are on the all star level list. Aldridge is not.
Here is one for LMA at age 23, which was the 2008-09 season for him. I used PER >=19, RPG>=7, and MPG>=36 Again, not a bad list, is it? Link 1 LeBron James 2 Tim Duncan 3 Dirk Nowitzki 4 Chris Bosh 5 Kevin Garnett 6 Elton Brand 7 Carmelo Anthony 8 Shareef Abdur-Rahim 9 Shawn Marion 10 LaMarcus Aldridge
I offered LMA's criteria as the base. Those are the names that come up. I'm not doing anything other than present some data and find players at or above that level at the same age.
Same list as previous, with PER >=18. Jermaine O'Neal is added to the list. Link Same list, PER >= 17 Antoine Walker is added to the list. List Same list, PER >= 16 Antawn Jamison added to the list Link Finally, same list, PER >= 15 No additions List
I think there's a lot of truth to that. Interestingly, that is also the thing that prevents Fernandez and his nice skillset from being an impact player. The ability to handle the ball is really a prerequisite for being able to create on offense, unless you are a low-post player. And being able to create is what separates impact players on offense from role-players.
Read this morning that Aldridge is averaging 20.3 ppg/9.5 rpg/51% FG over the last 17 games. Keep it up, LaMarcus!
