If I was Olshey meeting with Aldridge tomorrow Id try to sell him on a few things 1.) Winning a championship here would immortalize him: He'd mean so much to the city comparef to San Antonio, where the fans will only look at it as just another ring for the big 3. 2.) That Monroe would come if he returned: With them they would form the best and most versatile frontcourt in the league, one could punish Golden state outside and run with them due to their athleticism. 3.) That the west is getting weaker: The Spurs traded Splitter and while they can replace him, they won't be any better then last year. The Clips are a boil of soup right now, and if Jordan leaves, they wouldn't be contenders either. We know we can beat Houston, and they won't be better next year either. Dallas is losing everyone as well, and they won't be at the same level. We'd be a top 3 team in the west 4.) Long team prospects are better: While he'd only have a couple years with Tim and Manu, this team would be dark horse contenders and would improve, instead of decline like the Spurs will. Plus he'll make more money in his 5th year, which is an added bonus. Anything else you guys would add if you were Olshey?
The fans of San Antonio are used to winning. They take it for granted. Spurs would be the best choice for win now. Manu will probably be gone next year, who knows about Tim Duncan. Parker is great but injury prone. Those guys constantly need rest. Honestly LA wont be able to handle being coached by Pop. I think he will have him play way differently. The thing is Spurs fans have embraced Kawhi as their future superstar. Not Lamarcus. He is just there to win them something. So he will be putting his bets in on this Spurs squad. Either win now or nothing. That's it. I just don't understand why he would give up playing with Monroe and Damian who still have room for improvement. It's a young team that will get better. He is gonna settle for old dudes. Green,Kawhi, Mills are their bright young pieces. I don't even know what I would say if I was Olshey but it should be an obvious choice and I am not just saying that because I am a homer. I truly believe he wont have that great of a chance as believed in San Antonio
I would simply tell him that he'd be leaving a team that can give him as good a chance to win as any other team, a team he's been with from the start and that was built around him, a team that could have as good a roster next year as since he got here at least since the greatest Roy teams. I wouldn't tell him that this team can still win without him, maybe improve their record next year even without him, that leaving can seem like a win-win for him but it also might not be and that he needs us as much as we need him.
LMA seems like a smart guy. He knows that for the last 2+ years he's been given free reign to do whatever the heck he wants on the basketball court. Maybe he thinks that NO can't build a team around him that competes, b/c he's not LBJ, Durant, Curry, etc. Maybe he thinks that Pop can help devise something that Stotts couldn't. Maybe he just thinks that he'd like to play into his late 30's like the Spurs guys do.
I would say this.... "You did well. Now let's sign this thing, make it a huge Woj bomb and get Monroe to commit"
"Do you want to be the greatest Blazer to ever put on a Jersey. To have a chance to bring a ring to a city that would never forget it if you did, or do you want to go to a franchise that is used to winning, that will tear you apart if you lose and have the burden of replacing and living in the shadow of the greatest power forward ever".
What I'd tell him. Greatest Blazers of all time: Walton Drexler Roy Aldridge or Aldridge Walton Drexler Roy You decide... BNM
If he won a championship. ....unlikely, but if he did it would immortalize him here, nowhere else. I don't really think he cares. People want different things, and LA seems to, at this point, want to either be the man or be closer to home than staying here. The money is overstated, IMO. If he signs for 4 years somewhere the money will be made up on his next contract.
No he hasnt. BNM always has great posts. Roy played so few years and led us nowhere. I just think his feel good story shouldnt vault him to the top of all time Blazers. He took money knowing his knees were shot, crippled this franchise fanancially, and signed with our division rival.
This isn't my list of all time greatest Blazers. It's the list I'd tell Aldridge to motivate him to stay. He always felt like he was playing in Roy's shadow when both were Blazers. It seemed like a bit of a sore spot with him. Well, give him the chance to rise up out of Roy's shadow and prove beyond a doubt who's the better Blazer. BNM
