I think the biggest adjustment in Aldridge game from this year is his mental game. He has got so he recognizes the position he is in so well that he knows exactly what to do for whatever they throw at him. Since he is a willing and able passer, that means him making the right play isn't always him scoring. One of my favorite plays now is the one where Aldridge post up on the left block and then waits for a double team to come off the point guard, and Dre slips underneath the hoop from the back side for the gimme. That shows the relationship he has formed with Dre. They have a nice chemistry.
I scoff at part of your scoffing. It's just laughable to say 42 minutes a night is completely unsustainable. Players average over 40 minutes a night every single year... Gerald Wallace did this just two seasons ago. Monta Ellis is doing it for a 2nd straight year. KG averaged 39.7 MPG over a 5 year stretch in his 20's where he only missed 3 games. In my 20's I played pickup hoops pretty much every single day for hours on pavement. While of course its a different level of hoops, there also wasn't constant interruption of play for FTs, TOs, quarter/halftime & commercial breaks... and again, on pavement. Hell, I've a buddy who competes and wins 100 mile running races... dude's average training runs are 3-5 hours at least 4 times a week. I do expect LA's minutes to come down with the addition of Camby & Wallace, both because they play the same position and because Portland will probably be blowing some teams out. But to say that averaging 42 MPG is somehow a physical impossibility is wrong. Some people are definitely capable of doing this STOMP
I'm amazed at the way seemingly every time LaMarcus attempts a drive to the basket he is held, hacked, pushed and mugged, but no foul is ever called. Now imagine Wade, Kome, LeBitch, Durant....well, you get the idea.... I think with LaMarcus it isn't so much how many minutes he plays, it's how hard he is having to play during those minutes. He is often the only true front court player on the floor for us. For 40+ minutes a night he is being doubled, bodied, pushed and held by the strongest players on the other team. He's being asked to fight for position, post up, set screens, score 30 points a night, rebound, muscle, defend, AND run the floor like a SF, for those 40+ minutes a night. That's a lot of energy. As a skinny guard who loves to fast break, I can tell you the best and hardest workout I've ever had in my life was when I've played an entire game down low, pushing and wrestling with a strong post player. IMO, the Blazers need to not only get LaMarcus more bench time, they need to get another PF/C on the court with him at the same time, pronto.
But that assumes no further improvement from LMA. Given how much he's added to his game in recent months, are you willing to bet on that?
To be honest I was concerned with LA's performance last night.... It's seems he's ready to be the #2 again if Roy is out there! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! The offense runs through LA and he needs to command that! Roy is a Steve Kerr type of player now. Ball movement through LA and everyone getting involved is why this team is winning! LA's number need to stay in the 30's .... if we start seeing a trend of high teens and twenties over the next few weeks as Roy comes back that should be concerning for every Blazer fan!
If only Miller were 10 years younger, Wallace was 5 years younger, Roy had fully healthy knees and Oden was durable. Dynasty! At least Aldridge is the "right" age and durable. The guy is indestructible. There's nothing bad that can happen to him. Even the gods themselves seem powerless to strike Aldridge down as they've struck down other Portland centers.
Impossible to jinx. As I said, even the gods are powerless here. I will never receive my come-uppance. *shakes fist at the sky* You hear me?? NO...COME-UPPANCE!
That'd be funny if the team took it to heart, and listed nobody as centers. I'd totally be down with that.
Anyone hear George Karls comment about LMA, "If he's not the best power forward in the game then he has be in the conversation".
