Blazers rebuffing Cavs' offers for Aldridge

[jlprk]

Why would you engage jlprk in any serious conversation about anything here, let alone basketball?

Because he's honored to talk to me. Same as you. I expect better defense from Aldridge but not Hickson (who will improve over the years, like Zach, and we'll wonder why we didn't keep him) because Aldridge has the talent to improve immediately if he would just give defense more priority, while Hickson has the talent to improve defensively given a couple of years of better coaching than he'll ever get here.

Like that sentence?

 

[PapaG]

Because he's honored to talk to me. Same as you. I expect better defense from Aldridge but not Hickson (who will improve over the years, like Zach, and we'll wonder why we didn't keep him) because Aldridge has the talent to improve immediately if he would just give defense more priority, while Hickson has the talent to improve defensively given a couple of years of better coaching than he'll ever get here.

Like that sentence?

I enjoy your act. It's fun. Nothing against it all to me, but any serious basketball discussion isn't really in your wheelhouse.

 

[WillG]

jlprk has a valid point. Aldridge has innate talent that he doesn't tap - whilst it's something that may come to Hickson if he has the right coaching over the next handful of years. You can't fault Hicksons effort at least.
Also, just because LMA is our best defensive big, doesn't mean he's a good defensive player.
He's decent at best and it's just a damning revelation of how truly awful our defense as a team is.

 

[PapaG]

jlprk has a valid point. Aldridge has innate talent that he doesn't tap - whilst it's something that may come to Hickson if he has the right coaching over the next handful of years. You can't fault Hicksons effort at least.
Also, just because LMA is our best defensive big, doesn't mean he's a good defensive player.
He's decent at best and it's just a damning revelation of how truly awful our defense as a team is.

He's a two-time All-Star who went for 21/9/2.5apg/1.2bpg/1 spg last season. How is that not tapping his talent?

Do people here realize that the Blazers would have been lucky to win 20 games without LMA last year.

What was their record without him? 1-7?

 

[illmatic99]

Top 12 in 2014 and 2015, unprotected in 2016.

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

That's pretty airtight. Good work, Rich Cho.

 

[jlprk]

Do people here realize that the Blazers would have been lucky to win 20 games without LMA last year.

You could say the same about Hickson.

That's pretty airtight. Good work, Rich Cho.

What's so extraordinary? Seems routine.

 

[BBert]

jlprk has a valid point. Aldridge has innate talent that he doesn't tap

Wrong on both counts. I can only shake my head at the Aldridge bashing that goes on here. Any Blazer who isn't a top five player in the league is garbage. When will the madness end? Aldridge doesn't tap his talent? SMH

 

[magnifier661]

Wrong on both counts. I can only shake my head at the Aldridge bashing that goes on here. Any Blazer who isn't a top five player in the league is garbage. When will the madness end? Aldridge doesn't tap his talent? SMH

There are two types of Aldridge naysayers.

1.) Those that thinks Aldridge can net us the most talent in return, so they want him traded

2.) Those that just don't like Aldridge's game and wants him gone.

I think both types aren't understanding just how important a player like Aldridge is for a successful franchise.

 

[WillG]

Wrong on both counts. I can only shake my head at the Aldridge bashing that goes on here. Any Blazer who isn't a top five player in the league is garbage. When will the madness end? Aldridge doesn't tap his talent? SMH

You're wrong that I'm wrong. Aldridge definitely has untapped defensive potential.
If you can't see that then you should apply for an NBA ref application form.

 

[BBert]

You're wrong that I'm wrong. Aldridge definitely has untapped defensive potential.
If you can't see that then you should apply for an NBA ref application form.

Maybe if we got him some help he'd have more in the tank for such frivolties.

 

[WillG]

Maybe if we got him some help he'd have more in the tank for such frivolties.

Agreed. Aldridge was meant to be the third wheel in a dynasty line up in 2009 onward. He's had bugger all help - so it'd be nice to see his production in a complimentary role alongside Lillard and X player, rather than having to shoulder all of the load himself.
Hopefully Olshey can pull another Ace from his sleeve this coming draft as well.

 

[magnifier661]

Agreed. Aldridge was meant to be the third wheel in a dynasty line up in 2009 onward. He's had bugger all help - so it'd be nice to see his production in a complimentary role alongside Lillard and X player, rather than having to shoulder all of the load himself.
Hopefully Olshey can pull another Ace from his sleeve this coming draft as well.

Then maybe we should use Batum and picks or players to get that 2nd option?

 

[BlazerWookee]

Wrong on both counts. I can only shake my head at the Aldridge bashing that goes on here. Any Blazer who isn't a top five player in the league is garbage. When will the madness end? Aldridge doesn't tap his talent? SMH

Yeah, what he said.

 

[Natebishop3]

I just find it humorous that anything that could be construed as negative is "Aldridge bashing."

IMO, Aldridge bashing would be something along the lines of, "he sucks. He's terrible. He brings nothing to the team. Trade him because he sucks."

Who is saying that? I see people who feel that he's inconsistent and could improve his defense. I see people who think he's already gone in two years so we should look for the best possible deal now, while he has good value. I see people who think we're a ways off anyway, so why not trade our biggest chip for some younger talent?

I like Aldridge. I think he's a good player. He's definitely in the argument for best power forward in the game. Personally, I've always liked the rough and tumble power forwards that mix it up in the paint, and I think I'm jaded because of watching Sheed waste his talent for so many years. Give me Buck Williams. Give me Charles Oakley. I like enforcers, not 6'11 shooting guards. That's just my personal taste though.

I think he's gone. I think he will leave for Texas when his deal is up. That's just my gut, and if you disagree that's fine. I just think it's better to trade him now, rather than face something similar to Dwight Howard or LeBron in a couple years.

 

[magnifier661]

I just find it humorous that anything that could be construed as negative is "Aldridge bashing."

IMO, Aldridge bashing would be something along the lines of, "he sucks. He's terrible. He brings nothing to the team. Trade him because he sucks."

Who is saying that? I see people who feel that he's inconsistent and could improve his defense. I see people who think he's already gone in two years so we should look for the best possible deal now, while he has good value. I see people who think we're a ways off anyway, so why not trade our biggest chip for some younger talent?

I like Aldridge. I think he's a good player. He's definitely in the argument for best power forward in the game. Personally, I've always liked the rough and tumble power forwards that mix it up in the paint, and I think I'm jaded because of watching Sheed waste his talent for so many years. Give me Buck Williams. Give me Charles Oakley. I like enforcers, not 6'11 shooting guards. That's just my personal taste though.

I think he's gone. I think he will leave for Texas when his deal is up. That's just my gut, and if you disagree that's fine. I just think it's better to trade him now, rather than face something similar to Dwight Howard or LeBron in a couple years.

I love the mix it up PF's too; but the teams that had the Oakly's had an inside presence like Ewing or Duckworth. But I also am a great fan of the scoring PFs too. What we need is to keep our best player. I still disagree Aldridge will bolt when his contract is up. If we start winning, then I think it only solidifies him staying.

So what we really need is to make the playoffs and build a team that has hope. Obviously last year's team was a shamble and this year's team has a lot of questions. Lets answer them and give Aldridge and Lillard a bench and center and see where that goes.

 

[RoyToy]

It's funny how someone can say this

"Aldridge is arguably the best PF in the NBA"

And then basically say this

"I want someone different than Aldridge"

Lol

 

[BrianFromWA]

why?

 

[magnifier661]

why?

Because the premise that you suspect Aldridge is gonna leave isn't a good reason. I wanna see any proof that Aldridge gives hint he leaves. If not, then it's all entirely speculative.

The "lol" has more to do with the possibility of him bolting than his actual value:

 

[BrianFromWA]

I don't care if YOU think it's a good reason or not. The "why?" was for what RR7 said:

It's funny how someone can say this

"Aldridge is arguably the best PF in the NBA"

And then basically say this

"I want someone different than Aldridge"

I mean, I'd say the following. Cleveland, February 2010:

It's funny how someone can say this

"LeBron is arguably the best player in the NBA"

And then basically say this

"I want someone different than Lebron"

 

[BrianFromWA]

besides, you're the one who says all that we need is "a bench and center and see where that goes." You have the #10 pick, about 11M or so in cap space and the BAE. To add to a team that won 33 games. How do you physically plan to do that?

 

[BBert]

I think he's gone. I think he will leave for Texas when his deal is up. That's just my gut, and if you disagree that's fine. I just think it's better to trade him now, rather than face something similar to Dwight Howard or LeBron in a couple years.

I agree this is entirely possible and the possibility should be considered in any strategic planning moving forward.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Damion Lilliard and Ben McLemore would make for one hell of a backcourt.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

I really have always liked LMA, but because of the situation we find ourselves in at present, I'd be willing to do this deal with Cleveland.
I'd trade LMA to CLE for #1, #19, Thompson......Zeller too if we could swing it, but not a deal breaker for me.

I'd draft McLemore with #1. I'd draft Zeller at #10. I'd draft BPA at #19, and 2nd rounders.

Lillard - McLemore - Batum - Thompson - Leonard
#19 - Matthews - Claver - Freeland - Zeller
Barton - #39, #40 and #45.

We'd be a pretty bad win/loss team next year. Probably finish with #3-#7 draft pick slot. We'd HOPE for a chance at Wiggins or Parker. Add them to the mix and we've got a shot at future championship. I don't think we do with current nucleus or plan. No F/A center will get us there, neither will Mayo or T Evans. We need to plunge into next years draft.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I really have always liked LMA, but because of the situation we find ourselves in at present, I'd be willing to do this deal with Cleveland.
I'd trade LMA to CLE for #1, #19, Thompson......Zeller too if we could swing it, but not a deal breaker for me.

I'd draft McLemore with #1. I'd draft Zeller at #10. I'd draft BPA at #19, and 2nd rounders.

Lillard - McLemore - Batum - Thompson - Leonard
#19 - Matthews - Claver - Freeland - Zeller
Barton - #39, #40 and #45.

We'd be a pretty bad win/loss team next year. Probably finish with #3-#7 draft pick slot. We'd HOPE for a chance at Wiggins or Parker. Add them to the mix and we've got a shot at future championship. I don't think we do with current nucleus or plan. No F/A center will get us there, neither will Mayo or T Evans. We need to plunge into next years draft.

That plan sounds vaguely familiar.

I think I've said before, I would do this deal, but I'd insist on 1, 19 Thompson and Zeller. Then I'd draft Oladipo at 1 and hope to grab the other Zeller at 10, then use 19 to move up for Schroeder. Young roster, but high potential.

Lillard/Schroeder
Matthews/Oladipo/Barton
Batum/Claver
Thompson/C. Zeller/Freeland
T. Zeller/Leonard

 

[jlprk]

Aldridge can't put out for even 24 minutes. The imagined scenarios you defenders conjure up won't solve the problem. His stamina won't change if we get a great center or if he becomes #3 option. We could trade this weakass for a real man with less raw talent but more effectiveness.

 

[magnifier661]

Aldridge can't put out for even 24 minutes. The imagined scenarios you defenders conjure up won't solve the problem. His stamina won't change if we get a great center or if he becomes #3 option. We could trade this weakass for a real man with less raw talent but more effectiveness.

Neat story

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

He can be a beast if he wanted. Remember the 2009 season where he was arguably the best low-post scoring big in the game? Post All-Star he was putting up close to 25 ppg and got to the line A LOT.

Since then he's primarily a jumpshooter. He'll get the ball down low and it's one of two things: fadeaway or face up that usually turns into a fadeaway. He's not assertive and doesn't attack the hoop nearly enough. He's the anti-Kevin Love in this regard. From the 2012 season (Love missed most of last year)

:edit:

Love's FTA/per: 8.4
Aldridge's FTA/per: 5.0

 

[illmatic99]

That plan sounds vaguely familiar.

Sigh. It's probably a better idea for the future than our current roster as is, but that team can't win more than 25 games. I can't handle another season like that

 

[jlprk]

He can be a beast if he wanted. Remember the 2009 season where he was arguably the best low-post scoring big in the game? Post All-Star he was putting up close to 25 ppg and got to the line A LOT.

Since then he's primarily a jumpshooter. He'll get the ball down low and it's one of two things: fadeaway or face up that usually turns into a fadeaway. He's not assertive and doesn't attack the hoop nearly enough. He's the anti-Kevin Love in this regard.

I don't remember that. Are you talking about when Camby and Miller showed us their alley-oop passing abilities?

 

[RoyToy]

He can be a beast if he wanted. Remember the 2009 season where he was arguably the best low-post scoring big in the game? Post All-Star he was putting up close to 25 ppg and got to the line A LOT.

Since then he's primarily a jumpshooter. He'll get the ball down low and it's one of two things: fadeaway or face up that usually turns into a fadeaway. He's not assertive and doesn't attack the hoop nearly enough. He's the anti-Kevin Love in this regard.

Love's FTA/per: 7.9
Aldridge's FTA/per: 4.7

Stotts trying to turn Aldridge into Dirk is a bad idea.

That said, the key to maximizing Aldridge is getting his minutes down so he can stay fresh.

Two times at the end of the season Aldridge sat out games because the Blazers were done. One was for 4 games, the other for two.

His line after sitting out 4 games? 32/12 vs Houston

After two games? 30/21 vs GS

Combined 24/39 FG

Keep. Aldridge. Fresh.