Clearly power forward is the Blazers strongest position. LaMarcus Aldridge is easily the best player on the team. He's 6th in the league in PPG (22.5) and 5th in total points (450). As I posted a couple days ago, he's enjoying career bests in most advanced and per 36 minute stats. He leads the team in PER (23.4) and WS/48 (.213); both career highs. And, at 26 he appears to be just entering his prime. He is far and away the best and most consistent of our five starters. But, what's different this year is we finally have a solid back-up power forward. Craig Smith isn't just solid, he's a damn good back-up 4. He's exactly the kind of wide-body back-up power forward I have been clamoring for for years. Smith is second only to Aldridge on this team in both PER (19.0) and WS/48 (0.212). He also leads the team in TS% at 0.583 and ORtg at 117. Best of all, Smith's play is FINALLY allowing Aldridge's minutes to decrease. I know it still seems like Aldridge plays a ton of minutes, but his current 36.7 MPG is the lowest since is second season in the league and down almost 3 MPG compared to last season (39.6 MPG). And now that Nate trusts Craig Smith and is giving him substantial PT, Aldridge's MPG are declining and should continue to do so. Given the compressed schedule, that's big and hopefully Aldridge will still have some gas left in the tank come playoff time. Craig Smith was a great pick-up and is a tremendous bargain. At 28, he should still have at least another 3 or 4 years of solid production, especially given his limited role (12 - 15 MPG). I'd love to see the Blazers resign this guy. Unfortunately, he may be playing himself into a big pay raise and if the Blazers don't give it to him, someone else will. Now that the Blazers finally have a solid back-up 4 behind Aldridge, I'd hate to see them lose him after only one season. BNM
Don't forget Kurt Thomas, a natural PF. He's been every bit as important as Smith, keeping Aldridge from having to slide to center when Camby goes out.
