Is hickson rubbing off on Aldridge?

[magnifier661]

“During the game, I was joking with him,” teammate J.J. Hickson said. “I said, ‘I think I’m rubbing off on you.’ “

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/130083-la-story-as-blazers-pinch-pistons

Personally I think he has. Hickson has been a great example for Aldridge on fighting for the rebounds. There have been many games where we saw solid rebounding performances from both Aldridge and hickson.

I wish we had the money and space to keep hickson as a backup; but I think he wants to start and will want more money.

Regardless, hickson's time in Portland was definitely a blessing. If he leaves Portland for another team; I wish him nothing but the best.

 

[Natebishop3]

I just wish Hickson put out the same amount of energy on defense that he does on rebounding and scoring.

 

[Blazer4ever]

I think also that Aldridge became a better defender from having Hickson instead of Camby alongside him, we're still very poor in interior defense but I think Aldridge personaly has improved in that aspect.
As for Hickson, I also would like to keep him, at a reasonable contract. He has some traits you can't teach, the comparison to Zach Randolph isn't too far off. I think most of us would keep Randolph, in retrospect, I think we should keep Hickson too.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think also that Aldridge became a better defender from having Hickson instead of Camby alongside him, we're still very poor in interior defense but I think Aldridge personaly has improved in that aspect.
As for Hickson, I also would like to keep him, at a reasonable contract. He has some traits you can't teach, the comparison to Zach Randolph isn't too far off. I think most of us would keep Randolph, in retrospect, I think we should keep Hickson too.

Randolph was so much more polished on offense though. Much of Hickson's game is reliant on his athleticism. Zach has very little athleticism to speak of.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Yes, Zach was more finesse and more skilled. There are other differences - Zach's athletic legs and ridiculously long arms, JJ being stronger - but both provide similiar numbers, are good offensive rebounders and score at a very high FG%. Both are not very good defenders, though Zach seems to be a bit less clueless.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I see Aldridge as he always has been.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

eww

 

[Natebishop3]

I see Aldridge as he always has been.

Which is why I've said that I think we can expect very little growth from him at this point. He is what he is.

 

[handiman]

I just wish Hickson put out the same amount of energy on defense that he does on rebounding and scoring.

Rodman put in zero effort on offense, and toward the end of his career when his rebounding numbers peaked, very little effort on defense. Ben Wallace totally ignored offense, and Dwight Howard has pretty much been stagnant there his whole career. Only the absolute best of the best have done what you're asking for from a role player.

 

[Natebishop3]

Rodman put in zero effort on offense, and toward the end of his career when his rebounding numbers peaked, very little effort on defense. Ben Wallace totally ignored offense, and Dwight Howard has pretty much been stagnant there his whole career. Only the absolute best of the best have done what you're asking for from a role player.

I don't understand... I asked that Hickson play defense and you listed off three guys who were known for defense and rebounding. I would prefer Hickson defend and rebound, honestly. I couldn't care less if he scores more than ten points per game. If he avereaged 10 and 10 while playing even solid defense, I'd be psyched.

 

[KingSpeed]

Which is why I've said that I think we can expect very little growth from him at this point. He is what he is.

That's not what he said. He works hard every summer to add things to his game. He is having a career high in rebounds this year.

 

[magnifier661]

That's not what he said. He works hard every summer to add things to his game. He is having a career high in rebounds this year.

Also, he develops more and more post moves

 

[Natebishop3]

That's not what he said. He works hard every summer to add things to his game. He is having a career high in rebounds this year.

No he isn't. Not quite anyway. His stats from 2010-2011 are still better. He is averaging a career high in assists and blocks though (just barely).

2010-2011 - 21.8 ppg, 8.8 boards, 2.1 assists, 1.2 blocks

2012-2013 - 20.9 ppg, 8.7 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.3 blocks

 

[magnifier661]

No he isn't. Not quite anyway. His stats from 2010-2011 are still better. He is averaging a career high in assists and blocks though (just barely).

2010-2011 - 21.8 ppg, 8.8 boards, 2.1 assists, 1.2 blocks

2012-2013 - 20.9 ppg, 8.7 boards, 2.6 assists, 1.3 blocks

In fairness; that was when Roy was injured most the season and we had no other real offensive option. Aldridge is doing well with a much better offensive unit

 

[Natebishop3]

In fairness; that was when Roy was injured most the season and we had no other real offensive option. Aldridge is doing well with a much better offensive unit

To counter that point, he's actually taking slightly more shots than he was in 2010-2011, and he's making less of them.

2010-2011 - 17.5 FGA, 50% from the field.

2012-2013 - 17.7 FGA, 48% from the field.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

To counter that point, he's actually taking slightly more shots than he was in 2010-2011, and he's making less of them.

2010-2011 - 17.5 FGA, 50% from the field.

2012-2013 - 17.7 FGA, 48% from the field.

Two percent isn't really killing me. He's shooting 50% in March, and we know his averages go up as the season progresses; he's always done his best work after the All-Star Break.

 

[Natebishop3]

Two percent isn't really killing me. He's shooting 50% in March, and we know his averages go up as the season progresses; he's always done his best work after the All-Star Break.

Well, the point was that Mags said he had better stats in 2010-2011 because Roy was injured and we had no other offensive option. I was just pointing out that he's actually taking more shots per game this season, but shooting a lower percentage overall.

 

[magnifier661]

Well, the point was that Mags said he had better stats in 2010-2011 because Roy was injured and we had no other offensive option. I was just pointing out that he's actually taking more shots per game this season, but shooting a lower percentage overall.

Regardless of the shots, I am saying he was asked to dominate in the paint because there was no pick and pop player. So more high % shot attempts equal better efficiency.

When Roy was injured, he wasn't asked to spread the floor. Nate was forced to use Aldridge as the go to guy


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[Natebishop3]

Regardless of the shots, I am saying he was asked to dominate in the paint because there was no pick and pop player. So more high % shot attempts equal better efficiency.

When Roy was injured, he wasn't asked to spread the floor. Nate was forced to use Aldridge as the go to guy


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The original point was that, by and large, he's done growing as a player. That may or may not be true. He's doing slightly better in assists and blocks this year, which is encouraging, but his FG% has dropped while his shots have gone slightly up. I just think we've reached a point where this is pretty much what we can expect him from. 20 ppg, 8 boards, and 1 block per game. That's not bad for a 2nd option, but he'll be paid like a #1 when his deal is up.

 

[magnifier661]

The original point was that, by and large, he's done growing as a player. That may or may not be true. He's doing slightly better in assists and blocks this year, which is encouraging, but his FG% has dropped while his shots have gone slightly up. I just think we've reached a point where this is pretty much what we can expect him from. 20 ppg, 8 boards, and 1 block per game. That's not bad for a 2nd option, but he'll be paid like a #1 when his deal is up.

So what you are saying is Aldridge can't progress? Aldridge is getting less than bosh and he's the third option on Miami.

Also, I bet I can find a bunch of players that had a drop year, only to come back the next season much stronger. And we keep forgetting two things.

1.) at the beginning of the season, he was recovering from surgery. There was a lot of missed shot at the beginning of the season.

2.) even now he has injured ankles and still plays strong.


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[Natebishop3]

So what you are saying is Aldridge can't progress? Aldridge is getting less than bosh and he's the third option on Miami.

Also, I bet I can find a bunch of players that had a drop year, only to come back the next season much stronger. And we keep forgetting two things.

1.) at the beginning of the season, he was recovering from surgery. There was a lot of missed shot at the beginning of the season.

2.) even now he has injured ankles and still plays strong.


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I'm saying I think his progression at this point will be small. He already had his huge jump and now he's leveled off. Do you see him averaging 26 ppg or over 10 rpg anytime soon? You know where I'd love to see him improve? Blocks. I think he's capable of averaging over 2 blocks per game.

 

[magnifier661]

I'm saying I think his progression at this point will be small. He already had his huge jump and now he's leveled off. Do you see him averaging 26 ppg or over 10 rpg anytime soon? You know where I'd love to see him improve? Blocks. I think he's capable of averaging over 2 blocks per game.

What he's giving us will be around the same. It's just where he gets the points that may change. Also, rebounding and blocks are other areas I could see improvements.

He worked really hard to get his offensive game down. Now it's work on his defense.

 

[Mediocre Man]

No, Aldridge still plays defense

 

[PapaG]

Randolph was so much more polished on offense though. Much of Hickson's game is reliant on his athleticism. Zach has very little athleticism to speak of.

I remember seeing ZBO hobble out of St. V's months after his microfracture. I thought he was done as a player. Man, I was wrong about that one, and he's doing it on knees that have to hurt during every game. You have to give the guy credit; he stopped being an immature asshole, dedicated himself to the game, and turned his career around.

 

[PapaG]

The original point was that, by and large, he's done growing as a player. That may or may not be true. He's doing slightly better in assists and blocks this year, which is encouraging, but his FG% has dropped while his shots have gone slightly up. I just think we've reached a point where this is pretty much what we can expect him from. 20 ppg, 8 boards, and 1 block per game. That's not bad for a 2nd option, but he'll be paid like a #1 when his deal is up.

How many second options in the NBA average 20/8? LMA is 11th in scoring right now, and clearly Lillard will be the #1/franchise player in a few years, if not next year.

 

[PapaG]

I'm saying I think his progression at this point will be small. He already had his huge jump and now he's leveled off. Do you see him averaging 26 ppg or over 10 rpg anytime soon? You know where I'd love to see him improve? Blocks. I think he's capable of averaging over 2 blocks per game.

Only 5 players in the league average over 23 ppg. Only 10 players average 10+ rpg.

You really aren't making much sense.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Only 5 players in the league average over 23 ppg. Only 10 players average 10+ rpg.

You really aren't making much sense.

I think I get what he's saying: on a championship team, LMA would have to average that to be the #1 option... in other words, without a Superstar™, we don't get to the finals. LMA would need to be a 25/12 player to be that superstar-level performer.

LMA is a very good option, but if our eyes are on the trophy, we need a great option.

 

[handiman]

I don't understand... I asked that Hickson play defense and you listed off three guys who were known for defense and rebounding. I would prefer Hickson defend and rebound, honestly. I couldn't care less if he scores more than ten points per game. If he avereaged 10 and 10 while playing even solid defense, I'd be psyched.

You obviously missed the point then... Even the best of each generation has focused on one or the other, often at the extreme expense of the area of lesser focus. You want Hickson to play better defense, but doing so would virtually guarantee his ineffectiveness on offense and possibly at rebounding. He's really, really good at what he does. If he was also really good at defense, he'd be a hall of famer.

It's not a matter of simply scoring a bit less and suddenly becoming much better at defense. It's about activity and energy expenditure, and very few people can consistently do that at both ends of the court. If Hickson took the Rodman approach, we'd be playing 4 on 5 every time on offense. The Bulls could get away with that because of Jordan, but few teams are so lucky.

 

[PapaG]

I think I get what he's saying: on a championship team, LMA would have to average that to be the #1 option... in other words, without a Superstar™, we don't get to the finals. LMA would need to be a 25/12 player to be that superstar-level performer.

LMA is a very good option, but if our eyes are on the trophy, we need a great option.

I think Lillard will be a superstar if he stays healthy. He has good size for a PG, has the cool demeanor of a franchise player (LMA does too, IMO, but PFs don't win titles as the #1 guy), and seems eager to put all of his efforts and energy into making his team better.

I won't be surprised if Lillard is on the 2016 Olympic team. I think he's that good in terms of potential. He has a complete offensive game already.

Lillard/LMA is a damn good 1/2 for the next 3 years. Olshey needs to find a bench and an interior defender. Hopefully Leonard can be that guy, but that's going to take at least another season.

 

[RoyToy]

When you look at Hickson's previous seasons I'd argue Aldridge's professional approach has rubbed off on Hickson.

Hickson always had the tools, but never quite put it together. Playing with LaMarcus he has done that.