Aldridge at center revisited

[magnifier661]

I personally believe Aldridge can be a good rim protector if called to do so. I'm curious if we brought in a millsap; then have Aldridge play center would be a good thing.

I know it's not the best case scenario; but millsap is a very good defender; plus is amazing at scoring off the block. The combo of those two may be a good idea.

A sign and trade of Matthews and freeland could do it, since Utah will probably lose him anyway.

 

[RR7]

It's pushing him out the door even faster. Might as well just trade him.

 

[Further]

I don't mind him at C if the PF is defense minded, can rebound and help on rotations and close off the rim a bit. I don't think Millsap is the guy for that. Very good defender? I don't think I would say that. Someone like Josh Smith I think would actually pair well with Aldridge. But overall, one of the main reasons to keep LMA at PF instead of C is because we want to keep LMA, and putting him at a position he doesn't want to play is a good way to encourage his departure.

 

[magnifier661]

It's pushing him out the door even faster. Might as well just trade him.

I think the effort with carrying the team offensively is harder on him. If we were able to bring in another "low block" scorer; there is a ton of offensive pressure we can take off of Aldridge.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I personally believe Aldridge can be a good rim protector if called to do so. I'm curious if we brought in a millsap; then have Aldridge play center would be a good thing.

I know it's not the best case scenario; but millsap is a very good defender; plus is amazing at scoring off the block. The combo of those two may be a good idea.

A sign and trade of Matthews and freeland could do it, since Utah will probably lose him anyway.

He COULD be a good rim protector if he wanted to be. He just doesn't seem to have too much interest in reacting or helping on defense.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

If Aldridge was willing to play center, do you think Stotts might have tried that last year and had Hickson play PF?

 

[magnifier661]

If Aldridge was willing to play center, do you think Stotts might have tried that last year and had Hickson play PF?

Actually I saw him playing center a lot last season. There was a lot of stretch 4 offense. Remember Babbitt coming in as a PF?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Just tell Aldridge that Robinson is the center, but he will guard the opposing center on defense.

Not sure it matters cause he will be traded next week anyway

 

[magnifier661]

Just tell Aldridge that Robinson is the center, but he will guard the opposing center on defense.

Not sure it matters cause he will be traded next week anyway

Or just get dalembert and have Aldridge play center in the fourth and use Claver as a stretch 4?

 

[Nikolokolus]

He COULD be a good rim protector if he wanted to be. He just doesn't seem to have too much interest in reacting or helping on defense.

Quick twitch reactions are usually more about innate genetic characteristics than "wanting" them. His position defense and rotations are actually pretty good, it's when he's asked to quickly jump up and contest shots and leap for rebounds that you see that he's kind of limited as an NBA defensive anchor.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Actually I saw him playing center a lot last season. There was a lot of stretch 4 offense. Remember Babbitt coming in as a PF?

Short stretches. He wants to play next to a dominate center, not be one.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Or just get dalembert and have Aldridge play center in the fourth and use Claver as a stretch 4?

They already use LMA at center in the 4th. And i am sure they will continue to do this. I don't think LMA has a problem doing it in small doses. He just can't guard a center all game long and play big minutes.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Quick twitch reactions are usually more about innate genetic characteristics than "wanting" them. His position defense and rotations are actually pretty good, it's when he's asked to quickly jump up and contest shots and leap for rebounds that you see that he's kind of limited as an NBA defensive anchor.

I don't buy that. He should have better anticipation on defense regardless of his genetic makeup. He is often caught standing, watching the play and I would never agree that his defensive rotations are pretty good. I would agree that his individual position defense on the block is good.

 

[BBert]

I don't see any way we are going to get a better center than Aldridge, unless we trade Aldridge. What he said at the end of the season was the team needs a big post player who can come in and bang when needed. He even said it doesn't have to be full time, just come in and do some heavy lifting when needed. Regardless, like Mediocre Man, I think the odds are he is traded.

 

[maxiep]

Mags, Aldridge is gone. It sucks, but there's little if anything we could do to change his mind.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I don't buy that. He should have better anticipation on defense regardless of his genetic makeup. He is often caught standing, watching the play and I would never agree that his defensive rotations are pretty good. I would agree that his individual position defense on the block is good.

There are definitely times when LaMarcus coasts on defense, but part of that is because as a go-to scorer he has had to be careful about picking up ticky-tack fouls and getting sent to the bench for long stretches. When he does play defense, his weak-side rotations are good, he usually stays in front of his man and his court awareness seem good, but he just doesn't react all that quickly when it comes to shot-blocking or getting position for rebounds.

I know it's somehow more comforting to think that players' failings are spiritual or mental -- probably because those things can be "fixed" through hard work or "wanting it more" -- but when the failings are because of physical limitations or athletic limitations, there usually isn't a remedy for that and you're sort of "stuck" with it.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

There are definitely times when LaMarcus coasts on defense, but part of that is because as a go-to scorer he has had to be careful about picking up ticky-tack fouls and getting sent to the bench for long stretches. When he does play defense, his weak-side rotations are good, he usually stays in front of his man and his court awareness seem good, but he just doesn't react all that quickly when it comes to shot-blocking or getting position for rebounds.

I know it's somehow more comforting to think that players' failings are spiritual or mental -- probably because those things can be "fixed" through hard work or "wanting it more" -- but when the failings are because of physical limitations or athletic limitations, there usually isn't a remedy for that and you're sort of "stuck" with it.

I think LMA could dominate the game on both ends and is not limited physically or athletically. His personality might be the limiting factor. He is a very nice guy it seems, maybe too nice, and if he was more of a dick (see Garnett) he might get after it more on defense and the glass.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think LMA could dominate the game on both ends and is not limited physically or athletically. His personality might be the limiting factor. He is a very nice guy it seems, maybe too nice, and if he was more of a dick (see Garnett) he might get after it more on defense and the glass.

If that's how you feel then you should be clamoring for LMA to be traded, because guys that don't want to dominate can never be relied upon to carry your team to a title. That's the defining characteristic that separates the merely good from the great.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think the odds are he is traded.

When? This summer? I would be surprised. I am not totally against it if we got young quality talent in return, but I think the odds are against it.

I understand the theory that the longer you wait the less you get for him, and I see the validity to that with cities who have no chance in keeping him. (Detroit/Milwaukee)

But I also think Neil will keep him for a year to see if things change. At that point I am sure you can get a lottery pick for him next year along with cap space. If you trade him now before the season starts, he will make a big enough difference to where that pick is not as good.

Players are emotional after a season ends. Things change quickly on how happy they are. Just keep Quick away from his ass.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

If that's how you feel then you should be clamoring for LMA to be traded, because guys that don't want to dominate can never be relied upon to carry your team to a title. That's the defining characteristic that separates the merely good from the great.

True, and since my many inner voices tell me he won't re-up here, I won't be surprised or upset when he is traded for some (hopefully) high value players.

 

[PapaG]

It's pushing him out the door even faster. Might as well just trade him.

Yep. Why not make him play back-up PG, too? May as well have re-signed Hickson if the idea is to make LMA defend centers.

 

[PapaG]

Why are people so adamant that he's going to be traded? That won't happen unless the Blazers get an equal talent in return that can improve the roster for NEXT SEASON. What part of Olshey being asked by PA to have a better team next year are some of you missing? It don't get it. PA does not want to sit through another non-playoff year, at least judging by what Olshey said after the season.