http://ripcityproject.com/2010/09/20/slam-has-lamarcus-aldridge-has-42nd-best-player-in-league/ Over at SLAMonline.com, the folks of SLAM Magazine have been putting together their top 50 of which they believe to be the “definitive ranking of NBA players”. Today they reached #42, and named a player Blazer fans are very familiar with: forward LaMarcus Aldridge. Here’s a taste of what writer Jeremy Bauman had to say about LMA: Bauman also had a very interesting stat comparison, looking at Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett and LaMarcus’ stats after 4 years of NBA experience: I think it’s a major league honor for Aldridge to be mentioned in the top 50 players in the league. The one thing that people are failing to mention about the 09-10 season is the growth that Aldridge went through. With all the injuries that went down and losing his sidekick in Brandon Roy, Aldridge got a lot more ‘big boy’ reps, aka being the focal point of defenses, seeing more double teams, etc. He may not have delievered the ‘monster season’ that some expected, but last season helped him more than a lot of us think. That playoff series against Phoenix where he went toe to toe with Amare, faced double teams, and showed a passion we haven’t seen a lot of, will only serve him well in this 10-11 season. There’s no questioning that the 2010-11 campaign looks like it could be the ‘breakout’ year for Mr. Aldridge. It’s odd to put a guy in parentheses who has put up around 18 points, 8 boards on 49% field goal shooting over the past three years as a starter, but it’s true. He’s continued to show improvement each year that he takes the floor, which is always a good sign for a young player. With the departure of Carlos Boozer and Amare Stoudemire, Aldridge has a legitimate chance to become the All-Star that he–and Blazer fans–have desperately wanted to become. I think a lot of the Blazers 2010-11 success will be tied to how much more LaMarcus improves. It seems as if he’s put on weight, which can only help him down low on the block......
Interesting read. I really like the fact he put up comparable numbers to 2 superstars while shooting a better percentage. Aldridge is not the player I am looking forward to watching the most this year, but i'm always intrigued on what he has learned from the summer before and hoping that it may put him from the verge of an allstar into a full blown allstar.
Now see, that's some bullshit! You are being a smart ass, but how can you argue the stats?! He is one of the best PF's in the league, yet people on here can't seem to grasp that!
He proved it when he took charge when Oden went out and then even more when Roy went out. When it comes down to the last minutes, you can always expect clutch plays from Aldridge.
Aldridge proved he is not "the man" but he also proved that he will not back down when handed the reigns. His stats went up in the playoffs and he played Amare fairly well. He isn't a franchise player, more of a Gasol type. A complimentary player that plays the best when he doesn't have to be the man.
I was in a sarcastic mood when I wrote those 2 posts. Ultimately, I don't blame Aldridge for softness (or Oden for laziness or Rudy for rebellion). I blame McMillan (Aldridge and Rudy) or management (Oden). Their attitudes could be changed instantly with better leadership.
Good Company. I've been saying this all along, LMA is KG esk, and I want to see more. More solid post up moves/drives, more scrappy rebounds/put-backs, and more assists off the double team. He's on the Verge. No doubt.
Wrong. Lamarcus is missing a huge piece that the players he is being compared to above: Something the NFL calls "Motor". Is his motor running? Lamarcus has problems keeping his motor running for a quarter let alone a whole game. He will show up for a quarter or so, then disappear for several quarters. The guys he is compared to up above, play hard all 4 quarters. I also take issue with the "improvement". Lamarcus stat line has gone up completely proportional to his minutes being played. In fact I think if you go through the numbers, you will see his production per minute, has actually dropped, not improved. Hell his blocks have dropped from near 2 his rookie year to .8 last year. So if that is improvement to you, I guess you have have a different idea of what improvement is than mine.
After 4 seasons Dirk was averaging 23/10. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nowitdi01.html Garnett was 21/10. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garneke01.html Where'd they get those numbers?
You watch alot of mavs and celtics games? I think your embellishing here. Furthermore, I think some must be attributed to the Blazers system. The team forgets to go to him often or even back to him. Really frustrated me last year. Your right the improvement isn't evident. I would say LMA learned allot about himself and his game that cannot necessarily be captured by stats. That being said I think you'll see some renewed confidence and "motor" in him this season. After all, many say that's whats holding him back.
LA's point average for years 2,3,4 has been 17.8, 18.2, and 17.9. KG's was increasing every year at 17.0, 18.5, and 20.8 in addition to playing all-league defense. Dirk's numbers were 17.5, 21.8, and 23.4. LA is no budding KG or Dirk.
No he does not. LA will never become anything near KG on defense. I would be surprised if he ever gets mention for third team, let alone defensive player of the year. LA has averaged nearly the same the last three seasons. From those numbers it is going to take a major leap to be in the same class as Dirk. You have two MVP's and possible HOF'ers being compared to a player that will be lucky to ever make an All-star team.
Well, ok. Over the first 36 years of my life, I've probably averaged around the same annual income as JK Rowling did over the first 36 years of her life. I guess that means I'm on my way to being a millionaire!
I think a better comparison by the fourth year was Antawn Jamison, and maybe a 6th year Rasheed Wallace: http://www.basketball-reference.com...010&p2=wallara01&y2=2001&p3=jamisan01&y3=2002 Which really isn't bad. A hybrid of those two guys is a pretty good player. Obviously, a little disappointing for a #2 pick. But if you pretend we picked Roy at #2 and Aldridge at #6, it's not bad at all.
