Random blonde girl reads from a cue card and Greg gives 10 second sound bytes on his top five PFs. LMA is number one. Anyone care to argue with that? http://sports.yahoo.com/video/nbas-top-power-forwards-201249866.html
I would most likely take LMA over Love or Griffin. Anthony Davis is a different story though. LMA might be better right now, but Davis has the tools to be a Tim Duncan type player. If the Blazers could do Aldridge for Davis, they would be stupid not to.
I wouldn't say that he's clearly better than Dirk or Kevin Love. LA's main problem is that he's so in love with his long jump shot, but it's a much lower percentage shot than what we normally get out of our offense. He's only shooting 45.5% from the field. Dirk is shooting 52% from 2pt range and 41% from 3pt range, which is outstanding.
yeah cause Dirk posts up so much more than aldrige, plays more defense too. I'd take half an Aldridge over Dirk anyday, weak troll.
Have you been following Love? The dude jacks up a ton of threes every game. I like Love, but I'm not convinced he's a guy who can be the #1 star on a winning team. He fills a stat sheet, but his play doesn't translate to wins. They're currently 9-9. Dirk is a shadow of what he was. He's not even in the same conversation at this point.
Wow, you're calling me Troll? *deleted* Dirk posting up is not relevant to anything I said. He's much more efficient on offense than LA. And I don't think LAs defense is anything to write home about.
"La is too in love with his jump shot" then you compare him to Dirk, who only takes jump shots. La hits the block when he needs to, maybe you missed the comeback in golden state when Lamonster was possessed in the paint and got to the line for like 10 free throws. Dirk shoots a little better percentage, Aldridge has a much better all around offensive game, rebounds better, and is a better defender. I didn't say he was first team all defense, I'm comparing him to Dirk and he wins no contest.
I think LMA is probably the best low post scorer in the league right now, but the reason why I'd probably go with Davis (if I had a choice) is because of his defense and overall game. But either one is a safe bet. I just don't think much of Love. He's an amazing player, and he can score from anywhere on the floor, but there's just something about him that I don't like.
You missed the point entirely. Dirk is a much more efficient shooter than LaMarcus. If LA were as good a shooter as Dirk, his jump shots would not be a problem. I don't think Dirk is better than LA in any other area, but he's certainly playing better at offense. If LA would cut the turn around fade away 17 foot crap out of his offense, and concentrate on scoring down low he'd be a lot better. If you think LAs defense closes the gap and causes him to surpass Dirk, fine, but I don't see LA as much of a defensive force, he looks pretty mediocre to me in that area.
Nate, Kevin Love actually beats LA both from inside and outside. LaMarcus only effective shot is within 5 feet, where he's 47-83 56% on the year. Kevin Love who "jacks up a ton of threes" is 70-106 from that range, 66%. And Nate, shooting the 3pt shot is actually good, because it raises the eFG%. Kevin is shooting over 50 efg% from 20-29ft because of his three point shooting. As far as LAs shoot from between 15-24 feet, he's only shooting 40.5 efg% from that range on 143 shots. As a comparsion, Dirk is shooting 50% from the same range. If you shoot 40.5% in a game as a team, you'll usually get blown out, so I don't know why the Blazers keep going to that shot. The best shots are inside or a 3 pointer. LA's mid range game is the WORST weapon in the Blazers arsenal. You can't argue with these numbers, I'm just stating the facts.
Not entirely sure what the "three point range" is that you're talking about, but Love is shooting 33.5% from three and barely 50.2% from two. His eFG% is 50.3% as well, meaning he's not adding to his eFG by shooting the three, just maintaining it. His eFG% is 5% higher than LMA's, though. I'll give you that. But to say Love's three point shooting really helps him is a bit of a stretch.
Well for one, that shot, opens the game for everyone else. So as you think the NBA is one on one basketball, and have no concept of team offense, of course you think there is a problem. News flash, we are 13-3. If you ask anyone in the coaching staff or team, they will tell you Aldridge is the key to this accomplishment. Also, last season you got all call out on Aldridge's rebounding. His rebounding is up again and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets over 10 a game by season end. And let's talk about love. His defense is absolutely horrible. If he was on this team, you'd be calling for his head. Also, there aren't many scorers on his team, so he has a green light to shoot anywhere on the court. Our team has 6 players scoring more than 12 a game.
I think that would be a real dilemma if Anthony Davis was available for LMA. I think you are probably right, but that would be a tough decision I think.
If Kevin Love was shooting 66% from 3 this season on that many attempts, it'd be a MUCH bigger story. He's not. You in fact can argue with those numbers.
Obviously looking at the efficiency of the mid-range shot itself makes it a less efficient shot. However, I have to think that having at least one guy on the court who takes and makes them is good for floor spacing, keeps the shooter nearer to get a rebound, etc. You can't completely look at it in a vacuum. However, with that said, I do wish Aldridge would park his ass in the post a bit more. At least 15 mpg (when in with someone other than Robin who can hit a mid-range J for spacing) I would like to see Lamonster get the other team in foul trouble.
33.5% from 3pt range = 50.25% from 2pt range. That's why shooting 33% from 3pt range is much better than shooting 40% on long jumpers. If you're going to shoot long jumpers, you're better off taking the 3 if you have the range for it. I believe LaMarcus does, so I'm not sure why he doesn't take 3s himself.
The 66% was in reference to the prior sentence, comparing what LA and Love shoot within 5 feet. Love has made more shots and is 10% higher both inside and outside. He's also a much better passer, so it's hard to say LA is better than Love on the offensive end anyway, Love has him beat by a long shot.
