See this is why I get all bent man. You act like what you've seen the past 5-6 years was how KG played his entire career. That face-up you've mentioned didn't happen until 02-03; which he was already in the league for 8 years. He, just like LMA, had to learn it. It's and only if LMA wants it bad enough to be a player like KG.
Exactly. I was a big KG fan back in the Minnesota days, it definitely took him a while to hone those face-up skills. . LMA still has a ways to go to reach his ceiling, and by all accounts he's doing what it takes to get there. prick
Well, I guess we will see right? But the bottom line is that every player has limits to what they can do..I'm sure Luke Babbitt works just as hard as Larry Bird did, but I doubt they will be making McDonalds commercials with Luke anytime soon. Just because you want LMA to be as good as KG and he works hard, does not mean it will happen.
I don't understand how anyone can question LA's heart/desire anymore. I would argue that he squelched all that last season. He came in with a new body (amazing what an off season of strength training can do), and a new attitude last year. You used to see him struggle to get low post position. Stronger 4/5s could push out to the perimeter and make him settle for jumpers. They said he was soft & didn't like to bang down low. But last year he lived in the paint. Even though he was logging ridiculous minutes because our front line was so thin, he battled every night. I used to question his toughness, but I think he proved it last year. He gave everything he had, especially in the playoff series vs Dallas. Don't you remember him battling with Chandler & Haywood? And by the way Lamarcus, why don't you go guard Dirk for a while as well? He played himself to the point of exhaustion time after time. I can now say I love his toughness, and his heart. Now, was he clutch? Not always. He had a chance to hit a few game winners and came up short (at home vs the Lakers comes to mind), and he had his struggles late in games at the FT line. But replacing Brandon Roy as the "go-to-guy" is a tough act to follow. Not many guys are anywhere near that clutch. But you did see LA start to look for his shot in those situations last season, which wasn't always the case. Can he improve his game? Of course, but it's not effort or heart that he needs.
Well I don't think anyone in here would disagree that Aldridge has the talent to be just as good as KG. I think the true agrument is the mental fortitude. Does Aldridge want to be the best? Will he try just as hard or demand it on the court?
many in here might not disagree with that ..but just about every NBA observer outside of Portland forums would tell you that LMA is not in the same ballpark at KG was in his prime. Take this idea into some non Portland NBA forums and see what kind of responses you get... I bet you will be surprised.
And I totally agree with them. Problem is, LMA is not in his prime. I guess that argument can be made when that time comes. Showing you the first 5 year comparison shows a lot of similarities. Hopefully in 2-3 more years, LMA will have that same "face-up" you mentioned about KG. Those are all technics that are learned with hard work. LMA just needs to work hard and those facets will come.
KG holds an insurmounatble lead in one key stat. Number of times being bitch slapped by Anthony Peeler: KG = 1.0 LMA = 0.0 BNM
Aldridge has played in Roy's shadow for most of his career. Last year we saw him begin to emerge in his own right as Roy's dominance waned. I've always thought that LA had more to give than what he was showing and that started to happen last year. We know he spent the summer putting on muscle and working on his left hand. I think he's primed for an even better year than last year. Hope it pans out that way.
Garnett might be one of the most versatile and skilled defensive players I ever watched when he was in his prime. LA's defense isn't bad, but ... I'm sorry, I just don't see the comp.
Garnett really didn't become a defensive beast tell his 6th year in the league, LA has all the tools to become a better defender then Garnett but does he have the skill on the defensive end will really be answered this season. The last two years LA defense has really stepped up and if he can make a big push on it this year with his scoring remaining near the same then it would become really hard to stop comparing them.
