Has LMA finally become the leader we expected?

[magnifier661]

Looking at Aldridge's stats, you would assume that he's become the best PF in the game, but stats aren't the only telling factor of greatness. The thing I've noticed since the playoff series with Houston last season, is Aldridge is taking on the "putting the team on his back" mode.

The fact that he needed surgery, but decided to hold it off until off-season is a huge factor in leadership. During games, he's demanding the ball in clutch situations, usually taking it inside and putting pressure on the other team. Something he used to shy away from years ago.

I think the Blazer fans should feel blessed that we have a player that leads by example. Someone that cares about winning and will be fine being the hero or the goat. I can't wait for the playoffs because I believe Aldridge has taken his game to an entirely different level right now. We are in good hands!

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I could have swore you asked this same question just a month ago Mags

Ill answer the way I answered it then. I think he started showing signs this and actually took the team by the horns if you will last season which is why he was in MVP contention most of the first half of the season before their slide in the second half.

 

[magnifier661]

I could have swore you asked this same question just a month ago Mags

Ill answer the way I answered it then. I think he started showing signs this and actually took the team by the horns if you will last season which is why he was in MVP contention most of the first half of the season before their slide in the second half.

I probably did bro, but I would rather have more positive spins like this than "Why is Lillard looking like a role player" or "The downward spiral of Leonard" threads

 

[BlazerWookee]

Pretty sure he's been the leader I was expecting for at least two seasons now.

 

[riverman]

I'll say that he's definitely more vocal as a leader this season and even more so as Wes is out. Wes was the vocal guy before. LA has taken that on more and more now.

 

[magnifier661]

I'll say that he's definitely more vocal as a leader this season and even more so as Wes is out. Wes was the vocal guy before. LA has taken that on more and more now.

That's a damn good thing! I've noticed his confidence is at an all time high as well. He looks like a player that believes he's the best player on the floor. That goes a long way, especially when you have the talent to back it up.

 

[riverman]

LA is really happy to have Rolo back. It shows

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I probably did bro, but I would rather have more positive spins like this than "Why is Lillard looking like a role player" or "The downward spiral of Leonard" threads

lol. Understand

Here is another question. If he is leading right now, how many are following and replicating his level of play at the moment and actually all year? Nic Batum? Damian Lillard? I don't know if these guys are on the same page as LA. He looks like he has direction. These other two don't. Not sure what that means but surely not a sign the two are following. Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't hinder the Blazers shot in resigning him in the off season. Because like you, I'm impressed with what he has become. Proud of the growth he has shown for the last two seasons. Whether if a sincere growth to help this franchise or its a growth more focused on his next contract. Only time will tell. Still like what I'm seein.

 

[Strenuus]

lol. Understand

Here is another question. If he is leading right now, how many are following and replicating his level of play at the moment and actually all year? Nic Batum? Damian Lillard? I don't these guys on the same page as LA. He looks like he has direction. These other two don't. Not sure what that means but surely not a sign the two are following. Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't hinder the Blazers shot in resigning him in the off season. Because like you, I'm impressed with what he has become. Proud of the growth he has shown for the last two seasons. Whether if a sincere growth to help this franchise or its a growth more focused on his next contract. Only time will tell. Still like what I'm seein.

Can you explain that in terms of Damian Lillard? What do you mean that Dame doesn't have direction? Honest question, not trying to sound combative.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Can you explain that in terms of Damian Lillard? What do you mean that Dame doesn't have direction? Honest question, not trying to sound combative.

All I'm saying is he is not putting out the same level of play on the court the guy that is leading him. Whether if it's fatigue or something else. LA seems to understand you need to be playing a certain way on the court to get to where you want to. And Dame has not caught on to that. Whether if that's direction or soemthing else. LA appears to be playing for something. Dame looks like he is out there going through the motions. For this team to win a title. Damian Lillard and Nic Batum need to change what they are doing right now on the court. And change it more the direction LA is going.

 

[dviss1]

Merge with this thread??

http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/is-aldridge-finally-becoming-a-legit-leader.280552/

 

[KingSpeed]

Playing through his injury tells me he thinks we can win the championship this year. That is not lost on the team.

 

[BBert]

I could have swore you asked this same question just a month ago Mags

Ill answer the way I answered it then. I think he started showing signs this and actually took the team by the horns if you will last season which is why he was in MVP contention most of the first half of the season before their slide in the second half.

That's what I was thinking. Yes he's the leader. No this isn't sudden or new. Although it could be argued he's taken his leadership to yet a higher level than before.

 

[dviss1]

I could have swore you asked this same question just a month ago Mags

Ill answer the way I answered it then. I think he started showing signs this and actually took the team by the horns if you will last season which is why he was in MVP contention most of the first half of the season before their slide in the second half.

Merge with this thread??

http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/is-aldridge-finally-becoming-a-legit-leader.280552/

 

[MarAzul]

entirely different level

I think he only needs one player to get with him in the same mind set, going into lock down mode, we can do it now!
One more with him in that zone and they would take the entire team into their space and they would have it!

 

[H.C.]

All I'm saying is he is not putting out the same level of play on the court the guy that is leading him. Whether if it's fatigue or something else. LA seems to understand you need to be playing a certain way on the court to get to where you want to. And Dame has not caught on to that. Whether if that's direction or soemthing else. LA appears to be playing for something. Dame looks like he is out there going through the motions. For this team to win a title. Damian Lillard and Nic Batum need to change what they are doing right now on the court. And change it more the direction LA is going.

Without trying to come across as snide, could I ask you to be more specific?
I mean every player/fan/whatever wishes they'd never miss a shot or commit a turnover.
I really hope that's not what you're referring to.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Other then Damian "pressing" too much at times I don't see what OLTL is saying either. I don't see pouting. That is just Dame's look. Pressing? Sure. Pouting? No.

 

[magnifier661]

Merge with this thread??

http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/is-aldridge-finally-becoming-a-legit-leader.280552/

Lets do it! Or you can bump that thread and have more "positive threads" about our players than the multiple threads of how our players suck

 

[BlazerWookee]

LaMarcus showed me he was ready to be this team's leader when he told management what he wanted them to do in order for him to want to stay, they did what he wanted him to do, and he is doing what he said he'd do.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

LaMarcus showed me he was ready to be this team's leader when he told management what he wanted them to do in order for him to want to stay, they did what he wanted him to do, and he is doing what he said he'd do.

Not true. They never tarred and feathered Raymond Felton.



Oh....and BTW.....Fuck Raymond Felton.

 

[magnifier661]

Not true. They never tarred and feathered Raymond Felton.



Oh....and BTW.....Fuck Raymond Felton.

Speaking of Raymond Felton....

 

[0-Our!]

Speaking of Raymond Felton....

Tech. advances never cease to amaze: g-string w/ wheels!

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Speaking of Raymond Felton....

Hahahahaha! "Gotta get to Voodoo!"

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Without trying to come across as snide, could I ask you to be more specific?
I mean every player/fan/whatever wishes they'd never miss a shot or commit a turnover.
I really hope that's not what you're referring to.

The players appear to be going two different directions. One is playing at a level that states that he is playing for a championship (Or maybe it's a contract). The other one is struggling and in some cases greatly. But the way Dame is playing for whatever reason makes it seem that he is not 100% on the same page. Is his focus on basketball or something else? LA is showing it's on basketball. Which goes to the point of my original reply. LA might be leading but some may not be following or on the same page. And those some are the integral parts.

Other then Damian "pressing" too much at times I don't see what OLTL is saying either. I don't see pouting. That is just Dame's look. Pressing? Sure. Pouting? No.

Never said he was pouting...

 

[noknobs]

All I'm saying is he is not putting out the same level of play on the court the guy that is leading him. Whether if it's fatigue or something else. LA seems to understand you need to be playing a certain way on the court to get to where you want to. And Dame has not caught on to that. Whether if that's direction or soemthing else. LA appears to be playing for something. Dame looks like he is out there going through the motions. For this team to win a title. Damian Lillard and Nic Batum need to change what they are doing right now on the court. And change it more the direction LA is going.

I'll admit Damian looked frustrated during the Phoenix game, but outside of that I think he's been fine. I like the fact he's really trying to get his teammates involved rather than chucking up 20 shots a night. He's had double-digit assists in five games this season, and two of those are in the last three games. Prior to the Phoenix game he had games of 23/12/8, 29/5/7 and 27/7/3... so I'm not exactly seeing cause for concern here.

He had a stretch early in the season in which he was just out of this world, often in the clutch. It's unreasonable to expect heroics like that all season long. He's probably just saving all his cheat codes for the playoffs. Damian strikes me as the type who will usually raise his game when it matters most.

And I think Batum has raised his overall game since Wes went down. Points, assists and rebounds in March are higher than they've been all season and he's back to shooting the 3-pointer with confidence.

And if they, or anyone on the team, were fatigued lately, that's due to the sadists at the league office who scheduled back to back 5-games-in-7-night stretches this late in the season.

 

[magnifier661]

I'll admit Damian looked frustrated during the Phoenix game, but outside of that I think he's been fine. I like the fact he's really trying to get his teammates involved rather than chucking up 20 shots a night. He's had double-digit assists in five games this season, and two of those are in the last three games. Prior to the Phoenix game he had games of 23/12/8, 29/5/7 and 27/7/3... so I'm not exactly seeing cause for concern here.

He had a stretch early in the season in which he was just out of this world, often in the clutch. It's unreasonable to expect heroics like that all season long. He's probably just saving all his cheat codes for the playoffs. Damian strikes me as the type who will usually raise his game when it matters most.

And I think Batum has raised his overall game since Wes went down. Points, assists and rebounds in March are higher than they've been all season and he's back to shooting the 3-pointer with confidence.

And if they, or anyone on the team, were fatigued lately, that's due to the sadists at the league office who scheduled back to back 5-games-in-7-night stretches this late in the season.

Didn't dame get more than 10 assists his last game? I would think that's the most important thing for our PG anyway. Yes, he's struggled at times with his shot, but the kid works hard, especially on the defensive end. Can't wait for the playoffs when we see Dametime again!

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Never said he was pouting...

Understood. The first half was for you. The second half was for the group as a whole. I have seen some people state that his scowl is showing that he is pouting or frustrated. It is just his scowl period imo.

Other than Dame not happy that he isn't superhuman lately I don't see what you are seeing.

 

[H.C.]

The players appear to be going two different directions. One is playing at a level that states that he is playing for a championship (Or maybe it's a contract). The other one is struggling and in some cases greatly. But the way Dame is playing for whatever reason makes it seem that he is not 100% on the same page. Is his focus on basketball or something else? LA is showing it's on basketball. Which goes to the point of my original reply. LA might be leading but some may not be following or on the same page. And those some are the integral parts.

I see, well I have to disagree, and point to recent history vs the Suns.
Yes Aldridge went bonkers but lets look at the little things.
Late in the game the suns for two or three straight possessions... They got the Blazers to switch Lillard onto Morris off of a P&R...
Lillard forced Morris to take tough shots. Yes Lopez was showing in the middle, yes Aldridge wasn't directly out on Bledsoe.
Point is Lillard didn't allow Morris to bully him down low.

To me that's winning basketball. As well as following Aldridge.. Lillard didn't give up just because he was forced to switch onto a bigger guy. He trusted his teammates.
Especially when you then enter the ball to Aldridge when he's hot as fuck.
Instead of calling your own number and ignoring the hot man.

To me if people weren't following Aldridge... They wouldn't be trying to get him the ball, or passing up shots to get him the ball.
They'd be pulling a Westbrook and icing out a hot teammate, or shooting 30-40 times a game.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Not true. They never tarred and feathered Raymond Felton.



Oh....and BTW.....Fuck Raymond Felton.

I said what he wanted them to do. Not what I wanted them to do.







Oh, and yes, fuck Raymond Felton.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

The second half was for the group as a whole. I have seen some people state that his scowl is showing that he is pouting or frustrated. It is just his scowl period imo.

Maybe direct it at them?