Well, this is just my opinion, and not "The Truth", as OP boldly claims, but would the Blazers have been better off drafting Morrison, Thomas, Bargnani, Williams, or Foye over Aldridge? I don't think so. Then again, I'm not the holder of "The Truth", so I understand my opinion probably won't mean much.
Because Sheed was someone who could carry a team by himself Sheed wasn't even the #2 most important player on the Pistons team that won a championship. Billups and Big Ben were, and it's arguable between Hamilton and Sheed.
I agree with everything you said. I was thinking of writing the same post. To me, this game was the definitive statement about LaMarcus Aldridge. As you said, he simply cannot come through when you really need him. He's only a supporting player, and cannot stand the heat of a big game. This is it, guys. What you saw from Aldridge tonight is what he IS.
So ... what was he last year against Houston when he went 19.5/9.5 with Roy as the #1 option? Miller IS NOT Roy. Period. Some people are great second or third players. Pau Gasol did shit for Memphis. Put him with Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, he's a much better player. The basketball IQ on this board seems fairly low for being such rabid fans.
So if we "know" what he is, why continue to complain about it? Are you expecting him to turn into Chris Bosh or something?
The basketball IQ on this board is just fine. The point that I'm making, and that others have made, is that Aldridge--despite his great talent--can't lead a team anywhere. He SHOULD be able to--he's got the size and the talent to do so, but he doesn't have the mental makeup for it, apparently. Perhaps you decided this was the case long ago, but many of us have been hoping that Aldridge would grow a pair and show some leadership. But the fact is, he doesn't have it in him. That's a very sad statement about him, because this team needs someone of his size and athleticism who plays with passion. Give Aldridge the heart of Pendergraph and he'd be a different kind of player.
Yeah, you're right. We shouldn't expect any development at all from our players. We shouldn't beg or plead with them to overcome their weaknesses or flaws--we should just let them be who they are and expect nothing more. After all, I'm sure the Portland coaches never take Aldridge aside and ask him to step up his game, or remind him that the team needs him in big games. I'm sure they just leave him alone and say, "That's LaMarcus. What can we do?"
Well, I think you and I have conversed about moving Aldridge if Oden isn't the answer, right? If that's the case, then I think we have similar views on LA's role on a title contender.
LMA can pickup his paycheck with a ski mask on. I'd trade him to the Knicks for cap space if they were stupid enough.
I'm griping about the player that he seems to be after 4 years in the league. I don't like it, I can't believe it's true, but it seems to be true. My reaction is pretty normal for a fan who is frustrated by a supremely talented player who isn't living up to his potential. You, on the other hand, seem to be telling me, "Just accept it and live with it, and shut up." That's a pretty strange response from someone who calls himself a fan of this team.
Of course I want Aldridge to keep getting better, but I don't expect that he's all of the sudden going to turn into this different player and flip the switch. Maybe I'm just more realistic and keep my expectations in check?
LMA is on 1080 right now. He's "disappointed" but not "frustrated." He's refusing to evaluate his play in this series. What was KP thinking giving a huge contract to a finesse PF without a first step? Another check in the "Fire KP" column.
I didn't hear tonights comments. But LA said that he thought he played fine in game 2. I was afraid that was a bad omen....and it seems that it was indeed.
