Anyone else hate watching LMA?

[The_Lillard_King]

I don't even know what "soft" means anymore, since the term just tossed around now.

So tell me, what makes LaMarcus so "soft" and why is that bad?

I'm a fan of LA, but when i think soft, I think about a player who doesn't make the hard foul when needed, who doesn't seem to like a lot of contact, who has size but doesn't take it strong to the rim.

LA, IMO, is a finesse player. Up until Oden got hurt, there was nothing wrong with that.

 

[Boob-No-More]

So that really does nothing for LMA getting out into space, does it? The triangle isn't making use of his gazelle like abilities.

Why not. The more he moves around on offense - and he would be moving constantly in the triangle - the tougher it is for slower, more plodding power forwards to keep up with him.

Yes, we should also fast break more, but the triangle is a half court offense - and half court offense with a LOT more ball and player movement than our current all ISOs all the time system. How can a system with more player movement and more ball movement NOT help Aldridge's offensive game?

BNM

 

[RR7]

Because end line to end line speed isn't going to matter at all in a half court set. Plodding defender or not. I am not saying the triangle wouldn't be great to use. I would love to see it. But it isn't going to make us fast break any more than we currently do.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Because end line to end line speed isn't going to matter at all in a half court set. Plodding defender or not. I am not saying the triangle wouldn't be great to use. I would love to see it. But it isn't going to make us fast break any more than we currently do.

Of course it's not. It's a half court offense. It has nothing to do with fast breaks.

I do think it would create more scoring opportunities for LaMarcus than our current glacially slow isolation based half court offense.

BNM

 

[RoyToy]

The one thing that's really holding Aldridge back from being an AS imo is not his post game - it's his ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop. Dirk, Amare, Bosh, these guys can put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop and either make the shot or get fouled. All at one point have averaged close to 10 FTA per game and being able to put the ball on the floor and get to the hoop is a big reason why.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Uh no.

 

[SnakeOiler]

When he creates his own shot it ends up a brick. Usually it's from mid-range. He NEVER takes it to the hoop and when he does score in the paint it's usually Roy collapsing the defense to get LMA an uncontested look.

There is really nothing I like about his game. You'd think he would play up to his contract and take 'that next step' but he's done the exact opposite so far.

He's a 16/8 PF being paid $60m/5. That makes me sick.

I get get frustrated with the constant bitching. Just watch the games and leave it be. What a nag.

 

[Public Defender]

LA, IMO, is a finesse player. Up until Oden got hurt, there was nothing wrong with that.

If we didn't have GO, I would really hate LaMarcus' game, but I think LaMarcus' game fits well with GO.

I think these two quotes reflect my line of thinking. LaMarcus Aldridge is a really good offensive option at 8 to 18 feet. I'd love to see him improve his handles and his post moves. But if the Blazers could get back a healthy Greg Oden, that'd give the Blazers the best of both worlds - an inside force and a versatile option with size.

LaMarcus Aldridge has lots of similarities to Rasheed Wallace - and Sheed's best years in Portland, he had a powerful inside option (Sabonis, most of that time).

 

[jlprk]

this has definitely been a "down" year for him

Last year was a statistical per minute down year for him, too (-0.7 effectiveness, change between 2007-08 and 08-09). This year, with no one else inside except ancient Juwan, his stats should have jumped way up. Instead, it's again a slightly down year for him, per minute(-0.3 effectiveness, change between 08-09 and 09-10). He needs either a more abusive coach, or one who designs plays to use his talents. I want to see players bouncing off of him, and him bouncing off of them. Hard contact.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketbal...d-trail-blazers/team/profile/10/25/13-1-2-eff

 

[STOMP]

Q Anyone else hate watching LMA?

I hate that he's injured and having to play through it as I think it will probably delay a return to full health for him. Even hobbled, he's important enough to their chances of winning that they're doing this. Some fans seem to have short term memory problems... Aldridge is a solid player on both ends.

about the only thing I (at least somewhat) agreed with in the OP was that he is overpaid. The new extension seemed slightly above where it should be. That they were offering him security ahead of schedule warranted a discount from his end. But then again quality Bigs have supply and demand on their side

STOMP

 

[Rastapopoulos]

We NEED a system that takes advantage of ALL of our talent, not just ONE player. Triangle offense anyone?

You just named the one system Miller would be less at home in than McMillan's.

 

[Kaydow]

It cracks me up that so many people are down on LMA, the areas where he's typically been "bad", rebounding in particular are the best they've ever been, but now that he's getting 2-3 fewer shots per game and can't take as many chances on blocks (being the only real big man of worth) he's "terrible."

All things considered I'm pretty hopeful that this year's offensive performance is a setback and not any kind of longterm trend downward.

I think so. He's been playing on two sprained ankles and a deep knee bruise most of the season. And he's had to play more minutes at the 5 than ever before, banging with the big boys no less (which has to be taking a toll on him physically) LA will play better as he gets healthy, and he would greatly benefit him if we get a big man/banger in the middle. He started slow last season and turned it on around this time - I don't think for one minute he's "mailing it in" b/c of his contract extension.

I'm okay with LA's game, and his level of motivation. He does need to be paired up with a physical center - clearly he doesn't like to bang. He can play spot minutes at the 5 when we go small, but it's obvious he's just not comfortable with more than that.

 

[LittleAlex]

The one big problem I have with LMA is his tendency to shoot the worst shot in basketball. All he needs to do is take one step backwards to take the three. That 18 inches of distance increases the efficiency of the shot dramatically.

I realize it would be even better for him to go inside, but that isn't going to happen. Better he take one of the more efficient shots instead of the least efficient shot.