Aldridge's disappearing act

[cmeese47]

He wasn't involved in the plays. They barely posted him up. It's on Stotts.

He is your horse feed him in the post especially since his jumper was just shit all night.

 

[cmeese47]

LA was 2 pts and 2 boards from a double double with 4 blocked shots, he wasn't the worst part of the game, that would be the bench scoring 5 pts while theirs scored I'm guessing here,...40?

LA is our best player most nights but he should never be held to 8 points in a playoff game or any game that he did not leave injured, got ejected from or was a 30 point blowout win. I said LA needs 8 shots in the paint per game at least for us to win, last night he had 12 total not easy to hit that mark when you do not shoot.

Game 1 13 shots in the paint Win
Game 2 8 shots in the paint Win
Game 3 3 shots in the paint Loss
Game 4 10 shots in the paint Win
Game 5 4 shots in the paint Loss

We had less turnovers more FTA's and lost because the bench sucked, LA sucked and we got beat like a Southerners wife who burnt dinner on the boards.

 

[Prue]

The only thing I didn't like about LA's performance was that he lost the edge. When he DID touch the ball he didn't take in the whole court, didn't plan out what to do...he looked shaky and tentative. He did ok on the D so I mean EVEN with quiet offense we were still in the game till the last 3. Gotta iron it out and play game 6 as a must win. I think LA brings the drive back at home.

 

[tlongII]

LaMarcus didn't handle the double-team well last night. He has to do better Friday night.

 

[Natebishop3]

LaMarcus didn't handle the double-team well last night. He has to do better Friday night.

It wasn't just that. LA came out with a fucking vengeance in games one and two. I'm just not seeing that from him right now. A couple times last night he watched the ball just go out of bounds without even trying to save it. The effort and energy simply wasn't there.

 

[oldmangrouch]

LaMonster challenges the defense and takes what he wants.

LaMarshmallow meekly settles for the path of least resistance.

The latter showed up and the Blazers lost. No excuses.

 

[jlprk]

After about 8 years of Bad LaMarcus, Good LaMarcus showed up for 2 games. He's a superstar, the best player in the league.

8 years from now, Good LaMarcus may give us one more show before retiring.

 

[magnifier661]

Had a bad night - hardly the only superstar you can say that about. Dirk shot the Mavs right out of a win in Game 4.

Harden was terrible as well... But I understand that Blazer fans are only concerned with our own players.

 

[maxiep]

I forced myself to rewatch the game, and they were bringing the double to him quickly. Also, getting those two quick foul calls took him out of it and messed with Stotts rotation.

He found the open man, but never got on track, so eventually, they didn't have to double him. Great strategy.

Bottom line, when Terence Jones has better stats than LA, we're not going to win.

Game Six is our Game Seven. We need to end the series here.

 

[magnifier661]

It wasn't just that. LA came out with a fucking vengeance in games one and two. I'm just not seeing that from him right now. A couple times last night he watched the ball just go out of bounds without even trying to save it. The effort and energy simply wasn't there.

I agree with this. I counted like 5 times, when LMA allowed a rebound to fly past him without any effort to get it. I will openly admit that LaMarshmellow was playing last night. It was frustrating to watch.

 

[Prue]

Harden was allowed to be terrible only because Lin was being crazy. Not sure why we kept Mo on him ...that should have been a instant re-assignment once Lin started hefting 3's at will. Its not bad if Lin goes off so long as Good Mo counters...he didn't connect. We had a lot of nice looks at 3's all game long that didn't connect. Happens. I'm sure Crawford is to blame somehow too I just can't put my finger on it.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Unconsciously, it seemed as if they were playing for game 6 including he. They were doing negative things during the game that we haven't seen throughout the series. More so defensively.

I don't know why we would actually want to give them life or a thought and a prayer. But we did. Now we run to an interesting situation. Houston will be running, they will gunning, and they will work their ass off to get it back to Houston.

Not good.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[santeesioux]

Unconsciously, it seemed as if they were playing for game 6 including he. They were doing negative things during the game that we haven't seen throughout the series. More so defensively.

I don't know why we would actually want to give them life or a thought and a prayer. But we did. Now we run to an interesting situation. Houston will be running, they will gunning, and they will work their ass off to get it back to Houston.

Not good.

So who wants to bring Stotts back if they manage to choke this away?

 

[Shooter]

Game Six is our Game Seven. We need to end the series here.

Absolutely right. If Houston wins Game 6, they're going to be so full of confidence they will be bursting at the seams.

 

[Denny Crane]

Former DPOY Dwight Howard is guarding him. And he's going up against two centers when Asik and Howard are both playing.

 

[Kaydow]

I forced myself to rewatch the game, and they were bringing the double to him quickly. Also, getting those two quick foul calls took him out of it and messed with Stotts rotation.

He found the open man, but never got on track, so eventually, they didn't have to double him. Great strategy.

Bottom line, when Terence Jones has better stats than LA, we're not going to win.

Game Six is our Game Seven. We need to end the series here.

I watched it again too. Last night, they were sending help defenders faster at LA, & they were sending Dwight, which is partly why RoLo had more success. But it stymied LA. Early in the series he was catching & going right into his moves. He wasn't waiting for the double (sometimes triple) to come so he could make a read. It's not all on him. He did find some open shooters that just couldn't knock down shots. Hou probably thinks they've found something & will no doubt go right back to that in Game 6. We need to make them pay. When Howard is running at him, go into his chest. He's going to block a few, and foul few too. Need to get back to those quick hitting plays that put Hou on their heels. We play into their hand when we hold it too long. On top of that LA has to make his midrange shots. We need those if we're going to sniff the 2nd round. A lot of pressure on #12 right now. Excited to see how he handles it.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

So who wants to bring Stotts back if they manage to choke this away?

He is why I think the team wins the series. I don't think we wil be discussing this. I think he is that bright and intelligent of a coach but...

I might be wrong about him. His boss dropped 3 straight to the Nuggets in 94 and he was on his staff. So if that did indeed happen. I would still bring him under the option. I wouldn't extend him. He is worthy of annother year.

 

[PapaG]

Teams lose games. Sometimes players have off games. Did people think Portland was going to go 16-0 in the playoffs?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

In all 4 wins over Houston this season, Aldridge has had 29 or more points, and shot over 50% from the field.

In all 5 losses to Houston this season, Aldridge has had 28 or fewer points, and shot under 50% from the field.

As Aldridge goes, so goes the team.

 

[RoyToy]

Game 6 will be his entire legacy up to this point. He needs to have a big game or he'll be called out.

 

[jlprk]

If he screws this up, Magic Johnson may demand that he be banned for life.

 

[Prue]

I wish we had a nice lob play for LA. Nic bring it down left side with Dame at center of the 3 line. Nic feeds LA in the elbow extended one dribble and step back to bring the double, kick out to Nic who swings to Dame. While the swing happens LA starts his spin move so that Dame can lob to the cutting LA at the rim for the throw-down while Lopez boxes out Howard who will have slid back to Rolo once LA kicked it back out to Nic.

You can read and react all through that play:

A) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If not and he has Jones, PUNISH HIM. (LA rolls to the center paint for score)
B) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If not and he has ASIK, PUNISH HIM. (LA rolls to the baseline paint for score or dish to Rolo if help comes)
C) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If yes he kicks to Nic. IF lane is open (rolo and LA box out their man and make a lane) drive on Parsons to the rim. (Nic layup/dunk or dish to Rolo if Howard breaks free)
D) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If yes he kicks to Nic. IF lane is closed but defense is slack, shoot the 3. (Nic 3-point shot)
E) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If yes he kicks to Nic. IF lane is closed and defense is good, swing to Dame. If Lane is open, Dame drives to rim (Layup/dunk or dish to Rolo if Howard breaks free)
F) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If yes he kicks to Nic. IF lane is closed and defense is good, swing to Dame. If Lane is closed and defense is sagged, Dame shoots the 3. (Wide open 3 shot from good spot for Dame)
G) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If yes he kicks to Nic. IF lane is closed and defense is good, swing to Dame. If Lane is closed and defense is good, Dame spots LA in motion for Lob for DUNK (requires Rolo to box out Howard)
H) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If yes he kicks to Nic. IF lane is closed and defense is good, swing to Dame. If Lane is closed and defense is good and LA cant get free, swing to Wes in right corner. If open shoot 3. (Wes Tre)
I) LA on the pass and 1 dribble can see if the double comes. If yes he kicks to Nic. IF lane is closed and defense is good, swing to Dame. If Lane is closed and defense is good and LA cant get free, swing to Wes in right corner. If Harden on Wes, Drive. Either Layup (if Rolo has lock on Howard), jab step for high % 10' or closer J, Kick through to Nic and reset to do it all over again.

That's 9 options. Each player (minus Rolo on perma block-out Howard) only needs to know their portion and position for the read/react. If it got all the way to a Wes drive and he has to kick out to Nic to save it and we are at 12 seconds and re-do the whole rotation again, that's 18 possible scoring options on 1 play. If we don't get a GOOD LOOK out of that, it means that Houston just played hands down the single best straight up D of the season/playoff's/lives. Hell in most cases you'd have a guaranteed 3 seconds on Howard every possession and one of these options will be available. WORSE CASE, if it got down to 3 seconds in the clock you got Wes on Harden making a move and under pressure with a hand or 2 in his face he's better than anyone else out there to make it. Be rare though that a set like this ended up without a considered 'good look'.

 

[Kaydow]

Game 6 will be his entire legacy up to this point. He needs to have a big game or he'll be called out.

Spot on. Forget the fact that we wouldn't have won the first 2 @ Hou w/o his efforts. Or game 4 for that matter. It's all going to come down to how he performs in these close out games. There is a scenario where he plays great & we still lose (and even his critics can't blame him). But I don't think that's going to happen. I think if he plays really well, we win.

 

[ripcityboy]

Game 6 will be his entire legacy up to this point. He needs to have a big game or he'll be called out.

Totally agree. This game will be key in how he is remembered as a playoff caliber player.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Spot on. Forget the fact that we wouldn't have won the first 2 @ Hou w/o his efforts. Or game 4 for that matter. It's all going to come down to how he performs in these close out games. There is a scenario where he plays great & we still lose (and even his critics can't blame him). But I don't think that's going to happen. I think if he plays really well, we win.

The more I watch and learn about LA the more I come away with the idea that LA that he is an instinctive player. He plays and shows by feel. He has an on and off switch. With that said, what we didn't see last night will come out tomorrow night and Houston and whoever is guarding is prob in for a long one.

 

[BBert]

Former DPOY Dwight Howard is guarding him. And he's going up against two centers when Asik and Howard are both playing.

That can't be it. That would mean Houston has good players, who played well.

 

[BBert]

In all 4 wins over Houston this season, Aldridge has had 29 or more points, and shot over 50% from the field.

In all 5 losses to Houston this season, Aldridge has had 28 or fewer points, and shot under 50% from the field.

As Aldridge goes, so goes the team.

So Aldridge has to be a GOAT for the Blazers to have any chance? That's discouraging.

 

[Natebishop3]

So Aldridge has to be a GOAT for the Blazers to have any chance? That's discouraging.

I don't think he has to be a GOAT, but the guy has to at least hit his averages. If he had put up the 23 and 11 that he usually gets, we win easily in game 5.

 

[BBert]

When I think "LaMonster", I'm thinking defense and rebounding with a vengeance, and not whether he's making a bunch of silky smooth turn-arounds. If he's possessed around the basket, the rest will take care of itself.