Aren't you glad Aldridge isn't playing like this for another team? (1 Viewer)

[Elton]

There isn't a player that can guard Aldridge one on one. He is vastly under appreciated in this forum, while people around the league (coaches mainly) vote him in as an all star.

Watching League Pass has really opened my eyes to the praise he gets from other observers. He's damn, damn good and a huge advantage to have at PF. I have accepted that he's not a bruiser down low. He can be at times, but I'll accept that he's not the Mailman. And in this day and age, to have a big as durable as he's been is just HUGE.

Not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth on this one.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Dirk was damn lucky to ever win a championship - the stars aligned for that one. Duncan is the only PF in the modern era that you could build a championship team around, and expect success. Building around any other PF is folly - this isn't about LMA, this is about how the game/positions are played. PFs should be ancillary players that make those around them better, rather than the focal point of a team.

Although I am in the "glad LMA plays for us" camp, this is a pretty good point. I would also include centers in that group as well. To me Howard is way overpaid for what he brings to the table. But I would still like to have him on my team. As I would still rather have LMA on my team.

But overall guards/wings are top priority in building a team. Which is why OKC fucked up so badly letting Harden get away. That 3 headed monster would have won a few championships.

But trading LMA for another PF does not excite me. A young allstar SG would, but that will never happen.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

If success is winning a championship, I'd add Dirk and KG to try list of potential PF types to build around. The obvious elephant is that they need a strong guard to play beside, or their talents are wasted.

 

[Draco]

If success is winning a championship, I'd add Dirk and KG to try list of potential PF types to build around. The obvious elephant is that they need a strong guard to play beside, or their talents are wasted.

But what guard is going to win championships without any big men? That logic works both ways. Kobe had either Shaq or a twin tower combo of Bynum/Pau. Without those all-stars Kobe’s team was in the lottery. How good was Chris Paul without any big men?

To compete a team needs multiple talented teammates. It can be at any of the 5 positions what matters most is having better players than the other teams. If Aldridge is better than the other teams big men than he is not the problem. That doesn’t guarantee his team will win but it’s a good start.

 

[Draco]

If you could trade Aldridge production for any PF/C in the league right now who would it be? I would consider a deal for any of Noah, Love, Griffin, Howard, Marc Gasol, Davis, Horford, or Hibbert. I wouldn't consider any other players. That’s out of two starters for all 30 teams, 60 total players. There are 8 on his level. So he’s clearly superior to 87% of the big men in the NBA. That is a very valuable asset to any team and if we could get the same superiority from guards or wings in the next few seasons we’d be a guaranteed contender.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

But what guard is going to win championships without any big men? That logic works both ways. Kobe had either Shaq or a twin tower combo of Bynum/Pau. Without those all-stars Kobe’s team was in the lottery. How good was Chris Paul without any big men?

To compete a team needs multiple talented teammates. It can be at any of the 5 positions what matters most is having better players than the other teams. If Aldridge is better than the other teams big men than he is not the problem. That doesn’t guarantee his team will win but it’s a good start.

MJ.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

But what guard is going to win championships without any big men? That logic works both ways. Kobe had either Shaq or a twin tower combo of Bynum/Pau. Without those all-stars Kobe’s team was in the lottery. How good was Chris Paul without any big men?

To compete a team needs multiple talented teammates. It can be at any of the 5 positions what matters most is having better players than the other teams. If Aldridge is better than the other teams big men than he is not the problem. That doesn’t guarantee his team will win but it’s a good start.

I totally agree (though Jordan won without dominant big men, that's a complete outlier). I don't mean to sound like I'm starting an argument.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

If you could trade Aldridge production for any PF/C in the league right now who would it be? I would consider a deal for any of Noah, Love, Griffin, Howard, Marc Gasol, Davis, Horford, or Hibbert. I wouldn't consider any other players. That’s out of two starters for all 30 teams, 60 total players. There are 8 on his level. So he’s clearly superior to 87% of the big men in the NBA. That is a very valuable asset to any team and if we could get the same superiority from guards or wings in the next few seasons we’d be a guaranteed contender.

I'd pretty much only trade LMA for Marc Gasol.

 

[illmatic99]

If you could trade Aldridge production for any PF/C in the league right now who would it be? I would consider a deal for any of Noah, Love, Griffin, Howard, Marc Gasol, Davis, Horford, or Hibbert.

My additions: B.Lopez, Drummond, Boogie, Bosh.

Would give serious consideration to if packaged: Deandre Jordan, Monroe, Valanciunas. I'm forgetting probably others.

 

[HailBlazers]

He's playing better than I've ever seen him play. However, his team-defense is still mostly terrible. I also think its a losing proposition to build a team around a PF...especially one who doesn't play good team-defense. If as the season progresses he develops a better understanding of how to play D, and if he develops some level of coordination for passing out of double perhaps I'll change my opinion of him as a player, but I don't see any scenario in which I will think building around him could result in championship contention. Even with Killard as our #1 option I just don't see LMA as a #2 on a championship team.

Wow what a buzzkill. No wonder you don't like him so much. Perspective is reality I guess.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I'm glad Aldridge is playing for this team and not Hickson.

 

[Natebishop3]

Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

 

[BBert]

Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

What's funny is, I understand what you did there.

 

[RR7]

Duncan is the only PF in the modern era that you could build a championship team around, and expect success. Building around any other PF is folly - this isn't about LMA, this is about how the game/positions are played. PFs should be ancillary players that make those around them better, rather than the focal point of a team.

I never really understand statements like this, or ones about how the only way to success is by being horrible first. With the amount of pure luck, on top of everything else, that goes into winning a championship in the NBA, or ANY sport, it's just amazing that people hold to beliefs that there is a definitive right and wrong way to go about it.

 

[RR7]

To add to my statement, it's always amusing how reactionary the NBA is, and how fans are also quick to react to something recent as the ONLY way to do something.
Jordan wins first 3, you need dominant wing player to win. Only way to win in this league. Second 3 Peat, when they trotted ROn Harper out there, it was big guards, you win with all big guards, everyone looked for taller players. Then the Spurs had their twin towers, and it was TWIN TOWERS! You need a twin towers to win in this league, everyone find a tall pairing. Shaq and Kobe/Wade had you needing a big and a wing, and then the Celtics had it so of course, the only way to win was with a big 3. Amazing how many different ONLY ways we've gone through.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

To add to my statement, it's always amusing how reactionary the NBA is, and how fans are also quick to react to something recent as the ONLY way to do something.
Jordan wins first 3, you need dominant wing player to win. Only way to win in this league. Second 3 Peat, when they trotted ROn Harper out there, it was big guards, you win with all big guards, everyone looked for taller players. Then the Spurs had their twin towers, and it was TWIN TOWERS! You need a twin towers to win in this league, everyone find a tall pairing. Shaq and Kobe/Wade had you needing a big and a wing, and then the Celtics had it so of course, the only way to win was with a big 3. Amazing how many different ONLY ways we've gone through.

It's a pretty sure sign that nobody knows how the hell to win at basketball. I think it's because there are so few players on the court at once that you're relying on individual ability and improvisation. Football is classical music: structured and mathematically based. Basketball is jazz: improvisational and chaotic. Things that should work don't, and things that shouldn't work do.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=246198

 

[magnifier661]

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=246198

Lmao! Sounds like us when we talk about other team's players

 

[PtldPlatypus]

To add to my statement, it's always amusing how reactionary the NBA is, and how fans are also quick to react to something recent as the ONLY way to do something.
Jordan wins first 3, you need dominant wing player to win. Only way to win in this league. Second 3 Peat, when they trotted ROn Harper out there, it was big guards, you win with all big guards, everyone looked for taller players. Then the Spurs had their twin towers, and it was TWIN TOWERS! You need a twin towers to win in this league, everyone find a tall pairing. Shaq and Kobe/Wade had you needing a big and a wing, and then the Celtics had it so of course, the only way to win was with a big 3. Amazing how many different ONLY ways we've gone through.

This is a fantastic post. Repped. If I could double-rep it, I would.

 

[magnifier661]

This is a fantastic post. Repped. If I could double-rep it, I would.

I would rep it, but I refuse to rep until my mourning of the departure of the HCP is officially over. And like the HCP, it should only take 20 seconds.

 

[Natebishop3]

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=246198

What they don't seem to understand is that adding Asik to the team makes no sense if we move Aldridge. I saw a few of their posters brought that up, but the only logical reason to move LMA is for another star or for a high lotto pick in this next draft, neither of which can they offer.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I think it's odd that multiple people on their board are saying Howard's unhappy, and would happily trade Howard to get LMA.

Now that becomes interesting.

I'm not going to lie, I'm scared of Dwight's back and Dwight's brain, and not necessarily in that order. I'd offer LMA a max extension first, and if he says no, then explore this. But Dwight locked up for 4 years of supposedly his prime, on this team of 3pt shooters? We'd be better than the ORL Finals team.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think it's odd that multiple people on their board are saying Howard's unhappy, and would happily trade Howard to get LMA.

Now that becomes interesting.

I'm not going to lie, I'm scared of Dwight's back and Dwight's brain, and not necessarily in that order. I'd offer LMA a max extension first, and if he says no, then explore this. But Dwight locked up for 4 years of supposedly his prime, on this team of 3pt shooters? We'd be better than the ORL Finals team.

I think Howard is on borrowed time. His brain is bad enough, but once they start cutting away in your back trying to "fix"things the days of him being a super-freak athlete (his only real advantage on the court) is over. It's like when we saw the lift in Gerald Wallace's legs give out right in front of our eyes mid-season and you knew it was over for him.

I don't want anything to do with this version of Howard.

 

[BBert]

I don't see how it happens without Parsons and/or Beverley.

The ball isn't in the Rockets court on this since they don't want Asik.

We do. But not if we don't have LaMarcus.

About time. Let's make it happen.

Yeah. Let's make it happen.

would it be a straight up trade for Asik for Aldridge? That doesn't seem fair.

To who? The rockets?

That thread is pure comedy gold.

 

[Draco]

If we decided to tank how about Houston gives us Parsons and Asik plus ALL their first rounders. They don't owe any team a pick so we could get their 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020 picks. Yes they can trade away all four of those. Those last two could be valuable once Howard and LA are old and something we could flip for an impact player sooner if need be. We could give them Matthews, Mo Williams and Freeland. Flip Asik to a 3rd team for a future asset if we want to tank.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Then idea that T-Rob can step in a fill the starting PF spot is not looking bright.

 

[Natebishop3]

Dwight Howard would not be happy here. He'd demand a trade within a year.

 

[Yoda_of_the_MODA]

Dwight Howard would not be happy here. He'd demand a trade within a year.

Yep. Plus, his contract has a 15% trade kicker, which means he'd be paid even more money to eat up cap space.

 

[MarAzul]

Aldridge looks like Aldridge to me, the best basketball player on this team since his first day here.

I don't know why anyone is surprise to see him playing well.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

We do. But not if we don't have LaMarcus.

Yeah. Let's make it happen.

To who? The rockets?

That thread is pure comedy gold.

Hilarious that they bitch about his age -- he's the same freaking age as Dwight!

"Would rather throw our chips for Kevin Love"

Yeah, that's likely.