Aldridge averaged 39.6 mpg in 10/11; 1.6 minutes more than this season. Last season, he averaged 1.7 less minutes.
I would love to see Leonard become that type of player. I just think he's a few years away from being that type of player. I don't know if I want to wait that long.
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts... I don't get the point of saying "if LMA could be Duncon on D" - yeah, that'd be great! Not gonna happen. I swear the next time LMA leaves his man to slide over and protect the basket will be the first.
Those are the butt ugliest uniforms I've ever seen. I may need retinal surgery after looking at that picture.
This goes back to what I said above though. IF our PF could play great D down low then you aren't required to have a Center that is above average defensively. So since you think that won't happen (and I don't disagree) then we do need a Center that can play very good D. Need 1 or the other. Can't have both guys be average defensively.
Okay, agreed. I don't think you can have either be an average defender - I think one needs to be great, and the other above average. Especially when it comes to team defense - if one is an average man/man defender but an above average team-defender I think that could work.
Sheed was so underrated for his defense. Personally, I think Sheed was one of the best at one on one D against other PFs. I've seen him totally frustrate even Shaq during the few stints he had to guard him.
That would be a nice solution if LA was willing to do that. Heck, I've suggested he put more effort into D and score a tiny bit less if necessary. But it doesn't sound like he wants to do that. He suggested he wants a "real" center next to him. It's nice having a captain dissin' his own teammates (Hickson & Leonard) with that comment.
Ben Wallace was one of the two best defensive players I've seen in my lifetime. That goes back to the 1960s. He also had 5 straight seasons with PER over 17, and his best was 18.6.
Funny Story: Ben was told by his first NBA coach that he'd never make it in the league unless he learned the SF position.
Narlens Noel, the draft prospect (from Kentucky, right?) is very similiar to Ben Wallace. Probably wouldn't go undrafted, though... Also, to answer the thread's original question: According to this stat-site I highly recommend - http://www.hoopsstats.com - our starting five is 5th in the league (behind Miami, OKC, Memphis, Indiana) and our bench is the worst in the league.
Yes, Aldridge is an All Star and Batum and Lillard are borderline All Star and could make the team in the next year or too. We truly do have a great Big 3 in the making.
Oh yeah, some solid improvement from a couple of guys, maybe a little bench help, and we're right there. It could happen fast.
