Well that is something to consider ... but damn, getting Deron just seems like such a pipe-dream at this point.
One aspect that hasn't gotten any talk this season is Aldridge's post defense. Maybe part of it is knowing you've got an elite shot blocker/rebounder at center, but he just seems to be a much, much improved post defender. It's getting to the point where I think of him like I used to Sheed--If a guy isn't one of the very elite post scorers, he's not scaring anybody by trying to back down LA. More often than not he's just going to make himself look silly. Just looking at games played so far against teams with strong post scorers, other than the Lakers nobody is really looking that special against our front court. The numbers prove that out, too. A 98 Drtg is a full 9 points better than his best prior season.
I agree. But on the flip side, I feel his help defense has dropped a bit. Or he's not just giving as much effort on help.
Its such a shame that our guys are going threw shooting slumps. If they were knocking down 3's it opens him up and suddenly he puts up 10 straight points because they can no longer double him and thats when our Defense starts looking insane is when were scoring with ease. Our stupid D is great when were scoring bad when were not, i'd like some Constancy somewhere lol
Yeah, and a more talented player with more fire would be better still, but the fact of the matter is there aren't a lot of better players in the NBA right now, let alone a lot of better power forwards, than LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is: 3rd in the league in Field Goals Made 11th in the League in Free Throws Made 10th in the League in Offensive Rebounds 17th in the League in Total Rebounds 5th in the League in Total Points 7th in the League in Points per Game 9th in the League in PER 8th in the League in Offensive Win Shares 9th in the League in Defensive Win Share Note: Aldridge is the ONLY player in the entire NBA that is top 10 in both Offensive and Defensive Win Shares 3rd in the League in Total Win Shares - ahead of Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant 9th in the League in WS/48 Based on his production to date, there is no question LaMarcus Aldridge deserves to be an all star this season. Based on his production, you could even make a very convincing argument that he's one of the top 10 players in the entire league right now. There are a few players (very few) who score more, some players who rebound more, a few who play better defense, but there are VERY, VERY few that do all of these things better than LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge has become a very complete player. You can say he lacks "fire" all you want, but you can't argue with, or dismiss his production. BNM
Some more advanced stats for LaMarcus Aldridge from 82games.com: Production: Own = 22.8 Opponent: 14.0 Net +8.8 On Court/Off Court: On Court +9.5 Off Court - 9.5 Net On/Off Court: 19.0 Simple Rating: 12.2 These stats haven't been updated since 1/29 and are bound to go up as Aldridge's PER has now risen from 22.8 to 24.0. 82games.com does not have sortable league wide stats for the current season, but to put this in perspective for the 2010-11 season there were only three players in the entire league with a simple rating higher than Aldridge's current 12.2. Those players were Dwight Howard, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. LaMarcus Aldridge is a bonafide superstar at this point and a top 10 player in the league. I can't imagine why anyone would argue otherwise. He is not this team's problem, it is the exceptionally weak play and poor shooting of our guards. Imagine how much more effective Aldridge would be if other teams had to actually guard the perimeter. BNM
If he had a flashier game he would be all over ESPN constantly. If we were winning more same thing. I want him to beast in the playoffs this year.
McMillan trains his players to never be flashy or a beast (which hurts us). Aldridge seems to accumulate a lot of his stats in the first 3 quarters, or in easier games with less pressure, or in the more relaxed earlier moments of harder games. He is undependable in clutch moments when the game is on the line. Roy was the opposite of this, and was truly a league star in more than stats.
While its true LA is undependable in clutch situations, I don't think you can fully blame that on him. Teams deny LA the ball at the end of close games and force our guards who are playing horrible to make a play. I'd like to see what he does in the future if our guards pick up there play and other teams don't feel comfortable constantly doubleing LA so he doesn't get the ball.
Since that leaves a guard unguarded, you'd think McMillan would have practiced and practiced on how to take advantage. Yet they are obviously unpracticed on even simple opportunistic fast breaks. A different coach would use Aldridge's potential strengths instead of discouraging fire and passion like Sarge does.
I actually see Aldridge making the allstars every year for at least the next 5 years. Does that qualify him to be a superstar?
Dude you've been gone for a while. Good to see you back. . So Clyde the glide wasn't a superstar in Portland?
Clyde was insanely popular not just in Portland but around the league especially when the media tried to make the "Air Jordan vs Clyde the Glyde" Rivalry.
But didn't have national sponsors; which was what brainiac suggested for superstardom. I actually disagree. Superstars are the players much better than players in the league
