While you can't understate how much LA's game itself influences the Blazers' chances for success, what's really amazing is how much his return at full form has improved the confidence of the rest of the team and how that confidence is impacting play. Every player seems to feel it and has upped their output over the past 3 games. Shots that were being routinely missed a week ago are now finding the bottom of the net. Players are getting to those 50-50 balls more often and the defense is just so much crisper. Instead of looking down and worrying about who is gaining on them in the standings, the Blazers are now looking at passing Houston for home court advantage. And, hey, even a few posters around here have stepped back from the ledge and are considering hanging around for the playoffs. Confidence is a remarkable thing.
What Aldridge gives us is the ability to create his own shot, get doubled and swing out for a wide open shot. Plus his rebounding and defense helps as well. But the best thing is the rotation is better. 20+ points and 12 rebounds are hard to replace
And after a string of low-scoring losses, big-shot Indy seems to have lost some of theirs. Miami will take their top spot.
