See how JJ Hickson is playing as a starting PF. He's common, if that. All you Trade-Aldridgers have a lotof explaining to do. Hickson is awful when not on floor with Aldridge.
Hickson is horrible. Had you been paying attention throughout the year you would know that. Trading Aldridge is still something I'd love for them to do, as long as the tram has a plan to replace him with someone like Milsap
Trading LMA and starting one of the pieces we get back for LMA is a good plan, though. JJ shouldn't be on this team after next game.
There is a reason why so many spoke up when the "keep hickson, trade Aldridge" group tried selling it. And looking at hickson without Aldridge proves how I said Aldridge demanding doubles opens things up for the team. Hickson doesn't demand shit. The other team's sf can man him up and keep him out of the block. And for those that think we get any piece as good as Aldridge is smoking crack. There is no possible way we get even close to the same value in return. Give Aldridge a true center. One that defends just as we'll as rebounds, and this team will have a huge turn around. Even if this center doesn't have an offensive game, it will still be a huge upgrade. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Why do so many threads around here end up as an exercise in dick measuring? As usual, I suspect the truth about Aldridge/Hickson is somewhere in the middle. Aldridge is by far the better player. Hickson has many failings, but those who are saying that his showing in the past couple of games is indicative of his true value are forgetting that now he is playing with scrubs (other than Lillard) so it's not as if a team has to spend much energy guarding the other Blazer "threats". Remember the impact Hickson had last season when Aldridge went down and he picked up the slack at the PF spot? I'm not in favor of re-signing J.J. simply because I think there are other options available that are better. I'm not in favor of trading LMA unless it brings back a player who is significantly better at a needed position, while allowing the Blazers to pick up another stud PF. If somehow Olshey can parlay LMA into Dwight Howard and then sign Millsap with cap space, put me down for that trade. I'm not holding my breath for something like that happening, however.
It's not a couple games. He was dumped by Cleveland and sactown for a reason. He is a one dimensional player. He would be a good back up; but he isn't a starter. That's a simple fact. Teams hickson would do well on are teams with all very capable defenders to surround him.
I think in general most forum members are on the nerdy side. I mean that with all due respect to everyone here. The forum gives people the opportunity to "stand up" to others in an anonymous way. Where if you were talking to them face to face, it would probably be much more light hearted. I also think age has somethign to do with it. some older, some younger, and opinions vary heavily on some things, strictly due to when and how you were raised. I think another reason it happens is that there are so many threads, about so many different things, people don't want others to forget they were right about said thread 2 months ago because they have been blasted for something else since then That's my nickel anyway
Two things: 1) Most of the "trade Aldridge, start Hickson" threads were started when Aldridge wasn't playing THAT well and Hickson was dropping double-doubles like they were nothing. 2) The idea was never that Hickson is as good as Aldridge. It was that Aldridge has the most value and that Hickson was passable as a starting power forward. I still think he is when he isn't surrounded by a bunch of rookies.
I never thought those people thought hickson was as good as Aldridge. I just got they thought hickson + what you get for aldridge would be better. And it isn't true. It never was true
I had always read most of the Hickson over Aldridge were simply looking at stats and thinking he was way better than he was.
It all depends on what you can get for Aldridge. Obviously you don't' trade him if you're going to take a bath on the deal. I always thought the Blazers should have made a run at Harden. Was it even possible? Who knows. I have no idea what could or could not have taken place, but if I was the Thunder I would have listened if the Blazers called offering Aldridge for Harden.
So you don't like the idea of adding the players we would get for aldridge plus Paul Milsap? I think as a whole that would make us a better team
No I look at the bigger picture. The one thing that wasn't taken into consideration was the cap space from letting Hickson walk. That will give Portland enough cap room to grab a center. So the real question is "Aldridge + a good center" better than "The trade asset from Aldridge + Hickson". And I still think Aldridge + a good center is much better.
You would first need to get Milsap. If you don't get Milsap, then you are fucked. That scenario would need to happen first before you even think about trading Aldridge. Also, I think Aldridge is still a much better all around player than Milsap. I also think adding a center + Aldridge would be better than Milsap + the asset you get in return for Aldridge.
I like Milsap. He would be one option that you could look at, but I think he could end up getting more money than Hickson is supposedly getting this summer. The question is, what can you realistically get for Aldridge? How much value does he really have?
