Back in high school. [video=YouTube;cLmKvXBWbHI]http://youtu.be/cLmKvXBWbHI[/video] It's ironic how the people are talking about Big Baby being "the second coming of Charles Barkley". LA has improved his game a ton, he should get more credit on a national level.
One was fully grown and built. The other was still growing into this body. The advantage back then made sense.
At which point in college did LA get himself up to the #2 draft pick? I wish I could find some footage of LA in college. Big Baby ended up going in the second round a year later.
[video=YouTube;HSTeOus8Etw]http://youtu.be/HSTeOus8Etw[/video] Some moments where you can see LAs game. :35~:43 2:50~2:55 He's basically been the main part of the offense every play. So some time between between his freshman and sophomore year he took a step up.
First video: See Aldridge on the free throw line, pawing his ankles like a nervous horse? He still does it sometimes. I've noticed that for years.
I just figured he was wiping the sweat from his hands while simultaneously adding grip to his shoes. That's what I used to do anyway.
I remember an NCAA game where Tyrus Thomas and Big Baby absolutely owned LA. After watching that game, I was completely on the Rudy Gay train. He was my #1 choice for that draft, and BRoy second. Did not want LA at all.
Aldridge is the rare player who has improved steadily every year, in areas where most players do not improve. He's better than it would have been reasonable to expect, and that's even with him going #2. Of course, the same was true of Brandon Roy, but maybe losing Brandon Roy was part of what drove Aldridge.
Where is Tyrus "we traded him for Aldridge" Thomas these days, anyway? Is HE living in a mobile home, too?