I absolutely agree that most is in his head; but if he works on his block game more; I can see it really making a difference. He won't be required to be on the perimeter as much next season because we have enough shooters to make the D honest. His value is on the block. I expect him to realize this and work on that part of his game. We get the "low block" Aldridge; then we are in some very good shape!
His mental toughness and attitude is definitely his crux. However, his game is not complete. His repertoire of post moves is relatively short with only 1-2 go-to moves, which IMO is selling his abilities short.
He's got the moves Mags. We've seen them. They exist. That's not the problem. That's not to say he can't always improve, but for him to truly take the next step into being a superstar, dude has to actually want it. He has to get that killer instinct all the time, and not just when someone pisses him off. Either that, or Stotts needs to go all Bobby Boucher on him! [video=youtube;mu9VA3pTEzs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu9VA3pTEzs[/video]
Really? He's got the fade away, the up and under, and the hook across the lane. You think three moves is enough??
Agreed. And rather than getting in the gym, he needs to GET IN THE RING! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1afXZslc9w8 Seriously, I think he'd be a far better player if he got the shit kicked outta him all summer long so that he'd finally understand that a little contact won't kill him.
Personally I would like Lillard to watch Miller tapes when he was in Portland. Find ways to get those lobs to the bucket. Once Aldridge is around the rim, the dude is pretty much unstoppable.
Damn if he perfected the hook across the lane he would only need three for sure. Hell I could shoot it in my day better than these guys.. Why they don't perfect that shot is a mystery. It is unstoppable for long players. Forget the jump hook. Go with the sky......
Yeah I think our guards really need to figure out ways to get our bigs in the best possible position to score. The closer they are to the basket, the better chances they have to get the other team in foul trouble and easy buckets at the line. I also want to see Aldridge improve some Sabas-type passes to the cutter. He demands so much attention on the block. Cutters could have field days if he would just pass the ball in the lane.
Aldridge is already one of the best low post players in the league, he just never plays in the low post.... Stotts wants to use him like Dirk.. ugh.
My stance is that Aldridge is unstoppable when he wants to be. Moves and positioning and all that comes second, imo, to the fact that he needs to figure out what drives him.
I think that changes next season. Stotts didn't have much to work with last season. With added firepower from the perimeter I suspect him using Aldridge more on the low block. There was a reason why Aldridge talked about how he will focus more on the block this off-season. I think he got an idea what Stotts wants from him next season.
He said he was going to learn how to work on the right block during the summer and his jump shot (including the 3-pointer). I'll believe the right block part when I see it. He primarily relies on the elbow jump and occasionally finds himself on his left block island when he doesn't know how to use his left hand.
