If both healthy, who's better LMA or Roy?

[WillG]

LMA.
He plays defense.

 

[Klinky]

I think Roy is a better player when fully healthy. He could have rivaled some of the greatest guards in the NBA. However, I think his domination of the team would have continued to stunt the growth of LaMarcus & Oden(if he were healthy too). I don't think we would have needed a full powered LaMarcus or Oden if Roy's talent kept increasing. Although we might have been in a situation like the Lakers were in with Kobe trying to take over all aspects of the game and the team being worse off for it.

Now that Roy is out of the picture, I think LaMarcus can blossom and if he can stay healthy, he could probably eclipse what Roy has achieved. Also I think Roy is done as far as being a productive player is concerned and I pretty much see medical retirement as being the best path for the Blazers.

 

[Natebishop3]

LMA.
He plays defense.

Defense is overrated...

 

[STOMP]

Book of Basketball has Malone 18, Stockton 25.

my book of subjective observations has Malone as one of the worst people I've ever seen in the league. Besides sending umpteen players to the hospital/IR with his infamous cheapshots, he seemed to call Utah coaching, management and/or ownership out in the press every single year for various issues from wanting another raise, to trade me blasts, teammates, or to rail on how he was being used. Dude also created riffs for the franchise being an all-time dead beat dad. He ditched his longtime HS girlfriend when as he was headed off to college after she told him she was pregnant with his twin sons. While in college he impregnated a 13 year old. He has given only the most minimal court ordered financial support for these kids and has refused any sort of personal contact. Of course he was always eager to speak to what an upstanding family man he was and wasn't above using various kids in wheelchairs as props when the cameras were rolling to make it seem like he wasn't a complete narcissistic asshole

I'd rather take the conservative road and build around the all time steals and assists leader who seems to be a stand up guy

STOMP

 

[STOMP]

Defense is overrated...

for backcourt players I'd agree, but D is a very important aspect of winning hoops for frontcourt players.

that said, if healthy I'd probably take Roy as he's a proven end of the clock/game Go! player. Thats a pretty important part of the NBA game

STOMP

 

[Drttimmy]

This is already established. Roy is more clutch.

I think this is the difference maker. Before this season, Aldridge basically froze up in the 4th. Although, this year, he's made big progress (see Dallas game). Still, I found Roy to be an elite player above an All Star because of his ability to deliver when we needed it. LaMarcus is still clawing at becoming an All Star. It's nice of Camby to say. He obviously has an on-court rapport with Aldridge and maybe this was a show a support for the new leader of the team.

 

[MickZagger]

my book of subjective observations has Malone as one of the worst people I've ever seen in the league. Besides sending umpteen players to the hospital/IR with his infamous cheapshots, he seemed to call Utah coaching, management and/or ownership out in the press every single year for various issues from wanting another raise, to trade me blasts, teammates, or to rail on how he was being used. Dude also created riffs for the franchise being an all-time dead beat dad. He ditched his longtime HS girlfriend when as he was headed off to college after she told him she was pregnant with his twin sons. While in college he impregnated a 13 year old. He has given only the most minimal court ordered financial support for these kids and has refused any sort of personal contact. Of course he was always eager to speak to what an upstanding family man he was and wasn't above using various kids in wheelchairs as props when the cameras were rolling to make it seem like he wasn't a complete narcissistic asshole

I'd rather take the conservative road and build around the all time steals and assists leader who seems to be a stand up guy

STOMP

Great post!

I agree, Stockton was a helluva ball player and a great guy. I think people have lost an appreciation for how good Stockton really was. Its kind of a shame most players in that era were overshadowed by Jordan and Pippen.

 

[Kaydow]

LA has been great. Brandon Roy was building a HOF Career before his Meniscus ran off.

I wish we could talk about this LA playing with that Brandon Roy.

 

[huevonkiller]

Defense is overrated...

Not really, if you allow 19 PER, and you're a 19 PER player it kind of impacts your value doesn't it?

It is quite important actually, most people just don't know how to analyze it. Or they go by team defenses only, etc.

 

[Klinky]

LA has been great. Brandon Roy was building a HOF Career before his Meniscus ran off.

I wish we could talk about this LA playing with that Brandon Roy.

The question is: Would we have seen this version of Aldridge if Roy was still dominating the ball & acting as the center of the offense?

 

[RoyToy]

The question is: Would we have seen this version of Aldridge if Roy was still dominating the ball & acting as the center of the offense?

I don't see why not.

He wouldn't get the same # of shot attempts but he could still be the low post scorer he is now. The Blazers have always needed that out of him.

 

[illmatic99]

Roy in 08-09 was a top 8 player in the NBA.

I don't think Aldridge will ever get there.

LMA.
He plays defense.

Not as well as everyone thinks.