OT: Kevin Love is beastin'

Considering LaMarcus' size (6'11.25" | 7'5" wingspan | 34" vert) he could very likely be the worst shotblocker in the game today.

 

Just because a player dons a Blazers uni, doesn't mean I like that players game.

I see that too much around here.

 

Actually, LMA isn't even the worst shotblocker with a 7'5" wingspan. That would be Kevin Durant. See LMA's career 2.3 Blk% (2-pt FG percentage blocked while on the floor) vs. Durant's 1.7 Blk%.
link:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aldrila01.html and http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html

And in Aldridge's defense, he was a monster shotblocker with a 4.2 Blk% his rookie year. Then had horrible years of 2.0% and below in the last couple years since Oden came and dominated the paint for his 50% of the games he played (and Camby was there for 23 of the remaining games Oden wasn't in there). So in the last 164 games, there hasn't been much of a need for LMA to protect the interior as he's allowed the guys who specialize in that to go in and do their thing.

 

Quit making excuses.

 

Don't you EVER say anything detrimental to Kevin Durant's god-like reputation!

Now that we got that out of the way, I have to say I believe LaMarcus is far superior to Kevin Love. I think he is a perfect fit for this team (alongside Roy, Oden, Camby and Andre Miller) and a great 2nd/3rd option on offense.

People concern themselves too much on what they want Aldridge to be, and refuse to just take him for what he is, 18/8 is nothing to scoff at.

 

That comeback was weak! C'Mon NoPo!

 

Maybe my memory is failing me, but has Kevin Love ever been rumored to be on the Blazers radar in a trade rumor? I sure as hell know that he was out of our range on draft night in 08.

I guess my point is this: Can we please go back to arguing about taking Oden over Durant ...

 

who the fuck are you?

STOMP

 

his career average is 1.0 a game... feel any better? just maybe the reported two severely twisted ankles he played through last year had something to do with a career low in blocks?

STOMP

 

LaMarcus is here, we're stuck with him for better or worse, so for my part I'm just going to shut up about him and let it ride. Who knows, maybe he'll even pleasantly surprise us a little bit this year ... or not. Whatever.

 

Who the fuck are you? Who the fuck is anybody on here who has an opinion? Dumb post.

 

it was a play on your earlier dumb post (#33 in this thread). Sort of ironic (in a dumb way) that you didn't make the connection

STOMP

 

Myself, I just like the idea of other teams having to run into a thicket of size and long arms to get at the rim. Batum, Aldridge, Camby, Oden, maybe Przybilla. That's just some serious length there. Reminds me of the Pippen/Sheed/Grant/Davis/Sabonis forest we used to have.

Aldridge may never be a great shot blocker, but I think he does have a presence in the paint on defense, like a lesser version of Rasheed. (Sheed's career average for blocks is only 1.3/game, fwiw.)

Love has some promise, but he doesn't really fit into that team identity of length and size that the rest of those guys have. That collective identity is probably the best shot we have at eventually taking down Miami or the Lakers, so I'm happy to have Aldridge over Love.

 

I missed the game today. Why did Love only play 3 minutes?

 

I have not seen the game, but Russia has a big size advantage in the post - and i suspect the coaches realized that Love is real liability on defense against taller/bigger guys.

Love is a very nice player - but ignoring his obvious shortcomings is a big mistake. He is a good NBA player - fantastic rebounder, but there are easy ways to take advantage of his liabilities.

 

So the Russians had a size advantage, our only big man that played much was Odom, and Love still could not get any minutes from coach K? That says alot.

 

STUCK with him? There are at least 22 other teams in the league that would rather be STUCK with LA then what they have right now!

 

Because Russia was scoring at will when Love was in off of a simple high pick and roll. That, and the guy Love was trying to defend is 7'1".

Or, Coach K is trying to ruin his confidence???

 

Yep, I'm sure Sasha Kaun would of abused Love.

The reason they didn't play him much because his style of play doesn't fit the Team USA M.O.