I am glad that over on hoopsworld that Colangelo answered the question about the trade the way he did. Basically the idea of it was, he hasn't even explored trading Bosh, let alone trading them to the Lakers. The whole point that he even mentioned that it was a crazy idea sending more talent to the Lakers made me feel a whole lot better. We know he has no love of that franchise since he was in PHX.
Exactly. Setting insane expectations is the best way for some people to approach being a fan. If they're right, then they can crow about the player's success. If they're wrong, they can blame the player for not living up to his potential. Ed O.
What's crazy is the difference of expectations between Roy and Aldridge in their first three years; Roy has "hit his ceiling" four times now, and surpassed the relatively low expectations of the fans, but somehow, LMA has never lived up to whatever crazy unrealistic expectations have been place upon him. LMA and Roy are here. We've built around them with players who cover for weaknesses and amplify strengths. This means that, while LMA isn't the best PF in the league, or even the division, he's the right PF for the way this team is built. It's probably time to just accept that and judge LMA by a different scale.
Philly will most likely have a good pick and Iguodala is a great 'do it all' type player imo. Dalembert is a good defensive center and Bargs could move to his more natural position of PF. LA is basically a lesser Bosh, Blake is pointless with Jack and Calderon, and i don't really know much about Outlaw but if Philly and Portland both presented those offers, i would take Philly's without hesitation.
This "rent-a-Bosh" argument in respect to assessing what Toronto could get for Bosh needs to be addressed. The only two priorities Bosh has stated for his new contract are (1) receiving max money, and (2) being somewhere he thinks he can win a championship soon. The first goes without saying; everyone in the league recognizes that he can only be retained with a max contract and all suitors are willing to give him one. His second stipulation is so lax that he actually hasn't ruled out the Raptors: a team that boasts two first round exits over his tenure with them and has significant cap space tied up in an unproven core. Comparatively, there are several NBA teams that look much more appealing. And if he's traded to any of them, the chances are really, really high that he re-signs (remembering that he can be compensated far more by that team). Any Raptor attempt to trade Bosh may be negatively affected by his impending free agency, but not all that much. Any team attempting to acquire him is doing so under the belief that he'll more than likely re-sign with them. I think the recent rumour of Houston making a significant push for Bosh even in the absence of a guarantee to re-sign proves that fact. None of the hypothetical proposals are even close to what it'll take to acquire him.
Certainly POR could put a package revolving around Aldridge that would be more appealing than LA could around Bynum..... Start with Aldridge and add from there.... Bayless? I would do it Rudy? I'd prefer POR try to hold onto him Batum? Same, but I'd deal him before Rudy Outlaw\Webster? Certainly 1 of them Przybilla? Yes, I would include him Pendergraph\Cunningham\Mills? Certainly any of them required Claver\Freelland\Koponen? Again, yes any of them required 1st round picks? yes, certainly 1 or 2 if need be Bosh is a clear upgrade from LA IMO...worth giving up additional talent along with LA for sure, but not the farm....LA is a very good player...LA and 1-3 players and a pick? Yeah I would do that... The only real untouchables IMO are Roy & Oden, with Rudy & Batum close behind.....any other combination though I would be all for...and even with Batum, you have to factor in POR depth there (with Webster & Outlaw) and factor in just what kind of impact you think Claver could be down the road....you can't hold onto all these guys indefinitely... So if TOR insisted on Batum, then you consider it, but I certainly wouldn't be giving them much else in addition to that.... If they are willing to take Bayless and other players among Outlaw, Webster, Pendergraph, Cunningham, Przybilla, Claver, Freeland, Koponen & Mills...Yeah certainly you should consider giving them 2 total of these players maybe plus a 1st round pick...Look, we can absorb the loss, and Bosh IMO is worth it (signed and delivered of course, you would never make such a deal without such assurances)... I mean if Tor scoffed at LA, Bayless, Outlaw and a future 1st for example or LA & Batum...well then they are being unreasonable IMO.....
This is what I've benn trying to say! BOSH is the Blazer's answer. The true "piece to this puzzle" that gets us to the next level. !
LMA has a great shooting touch, is an excellent athlete, has extremely good length and has started to put on a bit of mass for more bulk power. He was picked No.2 in the draft for these reasons, but has yet to fully utilise these advantages over other players. I guess maybe he's lacking intensity or a desire to excel at the game?? If he actually played like a man the guy would be great, no doubt IMO.
Not just fans who have big expectations for Aldridge. The Blazers have made him as one of the faces of the franchise and designated him one of the big three. They have also compensated him as though he is a top-teir PF in the league.
It would be stupid for any small market team to trade for Bosh with the idea they will just re-sign him this summer (and therefore give a lot of talent for the trade).
What I hope happens is the coaching staff decides Aldridge is now their center, both short term and long. Until Greg or Joel returns and proves they're fully rehabbed, LMA becomes our five and we build around him. With him in that established role, the others bigs can then fall in around him and begin to solidify their roles as well. As well as all our bigs have played, they can play even better with more court time in a consistent role. If this happens, in time and after healing those ankles, I have little doubt Aldridge would raise his offensive output to an even higher level. We haven't nearly seen the best Aldridge can do. Don't forget he's still only 24 and running around on some bum ankles.
But it's not a lack of talent. It's a lack of effort. Rasheed had the talent. We know this because we saw it. The guy was fully capable of dropping 30 points in a game on the regular. What maddened the fans was his refusal to take the ball into the paint where he was deadly, and continue to jack up three pointers, which he was only decent at. LMA is somewhat the same. The talent is there, but the mental toughness and desire is not. Only on rare occasions do we see Aldridge get fired up and torch someone. Most nights he is satisfied by floating around the perimeter and shooting when he gets the ball. How often does LMA call for the ball? We can all hope that he will one day develop that killer instinct, but history has shown with Sheed that it probably won't happen.
There are a shit-ton of NBA players that can be great in spurts. Rasheed and Aldridge are nowhere unique--or even that uncommon--in that regard. Rasheed was a borderline great player because of his defense, even if his offensive game was never where many expected it to be. Aldridge does not have that defense to fall back on, so he's not that good of a player just yet. Ed O.
hopefully you're joking... dude sucks. Barring one of the most lopsided trades in league history, Portland isn't going to win a championship this year. My hopes are that management is focused on the big picture. STOMP
