First Sheed, then ZBo, now Aldridge...

The fact he was an all-star isn't my argument. I was responding to the fact that getting 'a starter, a bench player and a pick' for a guy who made the all-star game last year isn't the smartest approach in the NBA when said player isn't asking to be traded and is still in his prime. That's not how you win in the NBA. All that aside, making the all-star team does mean something. It certaintly means more than PER, unless you think Eric Bledsoe is better than Russell Westbrook (since we're using exceptions to the rule to make points)... Aldridge was rehabbing in the off-season, and now his back is banged up, are you really surprised he's not producing like he did last year at the moment?

 

PFs who are better then, as good, or close enough to being as good as LMA:

Love*
Duncan
Dirk
KG
Millsap*
Lee*
West
Pau
ZBo
Ibaka*
Scola
Bargnani (same player!)
Bosh
Boozer
Cousins*

And I'm sure that once some of the young guys start getting more minutes and devlopment they'll be in the conversation too, and each year there'll be more PFs coming into the league:
Favors*
Davis*
Robinson?*

Now please note that I don't want all of these players over LMA. The * ones are guys I'd possibly be interested in. Nor do I think they have the same value - there's often a big different between a players value and their ability, so don't go confusing the two for being the same thing. But all of these guys have skills that are comparable or better than the skills that LMA has. No, they don't have the same PPG average, or maybe they haven't been named to an all-star team. But as I've made abundantly clear - those things have very little bearing on a player's talent level.

I understand that people will scoff and the inclusion of players like Scola, Lee, Boozer, etc - but if you actually watch what these players are capable of (dribbling, passing, rebounding, defending) and not focus on their stats and compare it to what LMA is (or ISN'T) capable of doing (and not his PPG) then their inclusion should be justified.

 

Yes I am surprised because he would be imo if he was used like last year. He is now playing the Dirk role when he is not a good fit for it. Last year, probably for the first time ever, he played in the paint and was rewarded with it with that All-Star birth you keep referencing it. Not much of a chance he sees it this year imo and that is not because of any injury.

And PER is a valuable tool. You shouldn't use it as your only tool but if you take into account minutes played (which is why you can dismiss Bledsoe) then it does a great job at showing you who is producing better.

 

Hahahah... Okay, that tells me who I'm arguing with and I think I'll stop wasting my time.

 

I'm not concerned about his "production", I'm concerned about his skill set. And his skills just aren't all that great - he's lacking in skill in A LOT of areas.

About the only stat that I think stands well on its own is FG%. Other stats - even RPG - are skewed by so many other factors. But FG% is a fairly pure stat.

I definitely agree with you that PER is a worthless stat.

 

Blue9 has never denied that he dislikes LMA the player. He doesn't hide it. He has some great stats to back it up however. He has posted those over in the OregonLive forum through the years.

 

So are you wanting to trade him because of coaching decisions?

 

Because you can't refute it? Way to leave out the heft of my argument and only quote that which serves your purpose...

 

Hello? Are we going in circles here? I am not wanting to trade him anymore then any other player (we should always be open to deals). Once again you are confusing me with someone else. I have been talking about him in the All-Star game not trading him.

But if you are asking about the coach I do think he needs to re-valuate his strategy.

 

Thanks, KoR. One of these days I'll get around to putting together a comprehensive, numbers-based post on why LMA just isn't very good... Just haven't had time since joining S2.

But I suspect that eventually (2-3 years) people will come around to my point of view on LMA just like they did on McMillan. How many of you guys thought Nate was a good coach 3-4 years ago, and just recently changed your mind?

 

Blue9, see this thread http://sportstwo.com/threads/225411-Post-Game-A-clear-tank-job-is-in-full-swing with a similar theme you like to discuss (about Batum actually being consistent).

 

no one thought McMillan was good here.

 

The sure did over on OregonLive. I didn't think he was good forever but it took me longer then some to get off the bandwagon. Many never got off over there and still think he should be coaching.

 

Well, I totally disagree. But if you really feel this way, there's no changing your mind. I still think LA hasn't hit his prime yet, personally.

If you really think guys like Pau Gasol are better than Aldridge, there's not much I can argue with about with you...so I guess we'll have to:


Agree to disagree (aka, I don't want to waste any more time arguing with those that can't be argued with

 

well, people on Olive are idiots.

 

Haha, some are but some are going to take offense to that because they are here now and they were supporters there. Smart guys too. Sly knows a lot of them.

And I think you would find, if you looked, a lot here supported him it is just always the vocal minority that are loudest.

 

Finally something we agree on.

 

So we don't agree that LMA is being misused this year? Interesting...

 

right.... Camby Wallace and Matthews sucking last year was mostly about LA's leadership. He forced fed Felton twinkies in the offseason and caused Elliot Williams knee injury too

NBA coaches named him to the All Star team last year. The main reason that was sited for him making it over several other players with equal or better stats was that he'd led his team to a better record. That was also the reason the most sportswriters relayed after naming him to the All NBA 2nd team the year before. Fans are welcome to hold whatever opinion they want, but you're up against the opinions of those who do this professionally.

STOMP