Yeah, I think Aldridge was a very good pick, especially when you consider how weak the draft was overall. Aldridge is the player I'd most want after healthy Roy and Rondo. I prefer Aldridge to Gay (and I was a big proponent of Gay at the time of the draft).
Productive is productive, even if it's the same production he always gave Portland. Sure, it would be nice if he had taken the step into stardom, but an 18/8 power forward with solid defense and defensive versatility is still a very nice player.
I agree but with Brandon Roy out and likely never to be that superstar go-to-guy I would hope LMA would elevate his play and put up 20-24 PPG range. If this team is going to do anything LMA has to step up and play a much bigger role.
So you're saying that with Roy out, you would like Aldridge to become more talented? I mean, how is Aldridge to suddenly become a better player? Nothing suggests that he's lazy, so I don't think he can simply try harder. This is how good he is...players can't elevate their ability at will, or else they would all do that.
Last season, between 1-20-10 and 2-16-10, when Roy was out for 12 full games and half of two more on either end, LMA averaged 20.9 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. So he has shown exactly what you would hope already.
if Roy is gone then he's the de facto #1 option right? He probably puts up bigger numbers in scoring because he's got more opportunities to jack it up. But LA can't seem to gain separation at will for his shot so his shooting percentage probably goes down... right? That would be my guess... if it stays the same (let alone goes up) compared to his career average, thats actually pretty good. Early on in last season it was reported that LA had badly sprained both ankles. While he played through this because of injuries to the rest of the squad, his explosiveness seemed to suffer as per minute his blocks and steal rates went way down... nice to see them back up to the level that reflect a long disruptive PF on D. I really like Portland's front line these days. Having 3 long active defenders there really has a synergistic effect in shutting down the paint STOMP
If he can maintain his scoring efficiency while shooting more, that means he's better than he was. He has had opportunities before with Roy out to assume more of the scoring load. I think most players (who aren't selfish chuckers) tend to gravitate to about the number of shots that optimize their ability. More shots, and their efficiency would suffer. Fewer and they'd be underutilized. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I think most players achieve that balance...if they could score more with good efficiency, they'd take more shots. So I'd be surprised if Aldridge began taking more shots without a hit to his scoring efficiency. If he can, though, that would be great.
I'm 43 now and still play pick up and league regularly. I've always been a scorer and am usually the leading scorer. It's easier to do my thing when I'm expected to go/shooting without any conscious is my specialty I might lose in horse but I could count my loses in 21 on my fingers (okay, toes may need to be involved) sharing the stage can be harder. I don't know this to be true of LA, but I've observed this of many other scorers... something to monitor STOMP
LaBump. Man's been on a tear lately. Here's hoping that he keeps it up and assumes the role of face of the franchise.
Maybe LMA has finally found a comfort zone on the block? He doesn't look confused like he used to and he's finally converting a high rate which is nice to see
If Aldridge reaches the level we dreamed on when he was drafted, that would really go a distance to putting Portland back on track. I'll wait til he does it for more four games, but this is very promising.
If (and that is a big if) it happens then I can fully get on board with building around him versus burning the house to the ground and (mostly) starting over.
