http://dimemag.com/2012/10/the-top-20-power-forwards-in-the-nba-today/11/ 2. LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE, Portland Trail Blazers While he may not be the best power forward at any one thing, Portland Trail Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge does a little bit of everything very well. He’s excellent with his back to the basket and has a sweet midrange game. He’s a so-so rebounder (we’ll see if his numbers increase after a full season without Marcus Camby cleaning the glass in Portland), but is an underrated post defender. He’s an excellent free throw shooter and a great finisher in the open court. In fact, he posted career-highs in both field goal and free throw percentage last year. There have been a lot of changes in Portland this season, and it will be interesting to see how they affect Aldridge. Will new coach Terry Stotts use Aldridge in similar ways to how Dirk was utilized in Dallas? Will that mean more isolation plays from the elbow for Aldridge? Will the addition of an efficient shooting point guard like Damian Lillard (something Aldridge has never played with) open up more quality looks for the big man as the opposition will be forced to keep a close eye on the perimeter? As injuries dimmed (or extinguished) the flames of former Trail Blazers Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, Aldridge’s star has been burning brighter every year. He demonstrated that he’s clearly up to the task of being Portland’s go-to guy by posting the second-highest scoring average among power forwards last season, and being chosen for his first All-Star Game. Expectations have decreased for the young Blazers squad, but not for Aldridge. While nobody expects the Blazers to make the playoffs this season, everyone expects Aldridge to continue his All-Star-caliber play and be the leader his young team desperately needs. Luckily for the Blazers, he certainly has the tools to do it.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA No responses? I guess its just the cool thing nowadays to hate on lma. Nobody could ever possibly give lma his due as a top pf in the game today.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA It's one of the craziest things man. He doesn't even have a Max Contract and is considered top 5 PF in the league. Only in Portland!
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA He definitely is an underrated post defender. I've got no beef with that. I think that he truly is the second or third best PF in the game speaks more about the current state of the NBA than anything else. 5 years ago he'd probably be around 8th. Dirk, Brand, Duncan, KG, Bosh, maybe Zbo...probably a couple others I'm forgetting. Truthfully, though, LeBron should be listed as the best PF and best SF in the game. You can't even really argue anymore that he's a natural SF. He's a natural ass-kicker at either position.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA We need to trade LMA for whoever Dime Magazine says is number one. He'll be the franchise player/super star/go-to-guy the Blazers really need to put them in contender status. If Olshey is any good he'll make it happen. Oh wait, trade deadline passed. There goes our championship.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA Yeah I know and it has Love as #1. But... October was not long ago and I think this will be the case next season. I think Love will still be #1 and Aldridge #2
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA I'm just gonna point out that that list is from the preseason (oct 24), and that #1 on the list is Kevin Love. EDIT: beat to it.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA The article was written even before preseason. Some Aldridge stats are down this season. The writer probably lives in Los Angeles, never sees the Blazers, and is just repeating what he has read.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA Ranks #11 in the NBA in Points Per Game (20.8) Ranks #21 in the NBA in Rebounds Per Game (8.6) Ranks #42 in the NBA in Field-Goal Percentage (0.477) Ranks #28 in the NBA in Blocks Per Game (1.18) Ranks #12 in the NBA in Minutes Per Game (37.9) Ranks #12 in the NBA in Minutes Played (2086) Ranks #4 in the NBA in Field Goals Made (468) Ranks #7 in the NBA in Field Goal Attempts (981) Ranks #16 in the NBA in Free Throws (206) Ranks #20 in the NBA in Free Throw Attempts (259) Ranks #38 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds (125) Ranks #29 in the NBA in Offensive Rebounds Per Game (2.3) Ranks #25 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds (346) Ranks #22 in the NBA in Defensive Rebounds Per Game (6.3) Ranks #21 in the NBA in Total Rebounds (471) Ranks #29 in the NBA in Blocks (65) Ranks #9 in the NBA in Points (1143) Ranks #11 in the NBA in Double-doubles (26) Ranks #13 in the NBA in Field Goals Per 48 Minutes (10.77) Ranks #10 in the NBA in Field-Goal Attempts Per 48 Minutes (22.57) Ranks #38 in the NBA in Free Throws Per 48 Minutes (4.74) Ranks #41 in the NBA in Free Throw Attempts Per 48 Minutes (5.96) Ranks #16 in the NBA in Points Per 48 Minutes (26.3) Ranks #11 in the NBA in Total Efficiency Points (1194) Ranks #13 in the NBA in Efficiency Ranking (21.71) Ranks #37 in the NBA in Efficiency Ranking Per 48 Minutes (27.47) Still impressive stats for an overrated PF.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA The thread title says #2 PF, which would put him in the top 10 players. I don't see much of that #10 in that list. We sure do flail for a team with a top-10 player, the rookie of the year, and a $10 million SF. Maybe #2 PF is overrated after all.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA I thought Nic was going to be the scapegoat this year. Happy he isn't, bummed it's LA.
Re: DIE Magazine: Aldridge #2 Best PF in the NBA That assumptions a little off though, its not the top 2 of each position is in the top 10. This is a wing league at the moment and the top 10 is full of guards/wings. LA has never been a PF who is elite at one thing, he is really good at everything (except he is an okay defender nothing special). Heck I wouldn't even put whoever you want to say is the #1 PF (Blake/Love/dirk/anyone not named LBJ) in the top 10.
