West is the only one I'd question above LMA, but I would also question Al Jefferson below him. Link for those who can't type cbssportsline in their address bar
I think Gasol, Brand, and West are all really close to LMA in terms of production. Brand is a better player right now, but not by much. West has the advantage of playing with Chris Paul. The next tier up (Duncan, Amare, Bosh, Garnett, etc) is clearly better than LMA right now, but he could eventually reach that level. He has the talent.
Bosh was pretty good last year. Better is subjective. Boozer? Maybe not. West is another up-and-coming forward in the game, but he plays differently than LMA does. I think Bosh and LMA are very similar though, in playstyle. Right now, I'd say Bosh is the more polished player, but I think LMA could very easily be as good as Bosh in the near future.
Cpaw just doesn't like Bosh. I think Bosh is definitely better, West and Boozer are arguable. After next year I think Aldridge will get more respect though.
I would agree. Boozer has a longer track record for production though, so that's why he would get the nod over LMA (nationally anyway).
I must respectfully disagree. Going by last year's numbers, I'd say they all were better than LMA. That doesn't mean I don't think that LMA won't be better this year but you have to go by past production, not expected future production and in that respect, all three were better than LMA last year. Gramps...
In Boozer's case, you really can't put "stats" on his horrid defense. West has the luxury of playing with Chris Paul
Almost sounds like a speedking kind of post, but I'm on teh Aldridge banwagon. It usally takes big men longer to develop, but Aldridge has consistently improved since being with the Blazers and it doesn't sound like he is done (working on ball handling and trying to bulk up). Just like many players, staff and press really like waht they see from Bayless, I constantly hear these kind of praises about Aldridge. It really looks like the sky is the limit for him and there aren't a lot of players I would be interested in to take over his spot. He is of the age and has the skills that you build around him Roy and Oden . . . by typing that I realize I'm stating the obvious . . . but it does add to the post count . . .
I think Aldridge is a Bosh-like talent. Bosh is just ahead of him on the development curve. I don't have any major qualms with the list. I think West, Aldridge and Jefferson are close and could be in any order, among themselves, and be reasonable.
Numbers are the least of my concerns. As an example, I never found Marbury to be a top PG, no matter what his production was.
Yes, Bosh has a more complete offensive game right not. However, LMA doesn't make the amount of mental mistakes Bosh does nor is he as "soft" as Bosh.
You guys are nuts if you think Aldridge is better than Bosh and Boozer. He could very well be some day but right now I'd say Bosh and Booz are both above him. That being said, I wouldn't put Bosh above Dirk (and I fuggin HATE Dirk) though Dirk did have a quiet season last year. Also Al Jefferson should be higher up, dude's a freakin beast. Amare should be below KG.
