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http://dimemag.com/2012/10/the-top-20-power-forwards-in-the-nba-today/11/
2. LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE, Portland Trail Blazers
While he may not be the best power forward at any one thing, Portland Trail Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge does a little bit of everything very well. He’s excellent with his back to the basket and has a sweet midrange game. He’s a so-so rebounder (we’ll see if his numbers increase after a full season without Marcus Camby cleaning the glass in Portland), but is an underrated post defender. He’s an excellent free throw shooter and a great finisher in the open court. In fact, he posted career-highs in both field goal and free throw percentage last year.
There have been a lot of changes in Portland this season, and it will be interesting to see how they affect Aldridge. Will new coach Terry Stotts use Aldridge in similar ways to how Dirk was utilized in Dallas? Will that mean more isolation plays from the elbow for Aldridge? Will the addition of an efficient shooting point guard like Damian Lillard (something Aldridge has never played with) open up more quality looks for the big man as the opposition will be forced to keep a close eye on the perimeter?
As injuries dimmed (or extinguished) the flames of former Trail Blazers Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, Aldridge’s star has been burning brighter every year. He demonstrated that he’s clearly up to the task of being Portland’s go-to guy by posting the second-highest scoring average among power forwards last season, and being chosen for his first All-Star Game. Expectations have decreased for the young Blazers squad, but not for Aldridge. While nobody expects the Blazers to make the playoffs this season, everyone expects Aldridge to continue his All-Star-caliber play and be the leader his young team desperately needs. Luckily for the Blazers, he certainly has the tools to do it.
2. LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE, Portland Trail Blazers
While he may not be the best power forward at any one thing, Portland Trail Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge does a little bit of everything very well. He’s excellent with his back to the basket and has a sweet midrange game. He’s a so-so rebounder (we’ll see if his numbers increase after a full season without Marcus Camby cleaning the glass in Portland), but is an underrated post defender. He’s an excellent free throw shooter and a great finisher in the open court. In fact, he posted career-highs in both field goal and free throw percentage last year.
There have been a lot of changes in Portland this season, and it will be interesting to see how they affect Aldridge. Will new coach Terry Stotts use Aldridge in similar ways to how Dirk was utilized in Dallas? Will that mean more isolation plays from the elbow for Aldridge? Will the addition of an efficient shooting point guard like Damian Lillard (something Aldridge has never played with) open up more quality looks for the big man as the opposition will be forced to keep a close eye on the perimeter?
As injuries dimmed (or extinguished) the flames of former Trail Blazers Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, Aldridge’s star has been burning brighter every year. He demonstrated that he’s clearly up to the task of being Portland’s go-to guy by posting the second-highest scoring average among power forwards last season, and being chosen for his first All-Star Game. Expectations have decreased for the young Blazers squad, but not for Aldridge. While nobody expects the Blazers to make the playoffs this season, everyone expects Aldridge to continue his All-Star-caliber play and be the leader his young team desperately needs. Luckily for the Blazers, he certainly has the tools to do it.
