Is it a unicorn?

[Fez Hammersticks]

No, it's LMA attacking the basket:

[video=youtube;yg6NzQtRGkI]

Serious question, why doesn't LMA attack the hoop AT ALL anymore?

 

[Luther]

Not cool. I thought I was going to see a unicorn.

 

[guest]

He'll attack the basket occasionally. I don't think it's a coincidence that he attacked the basket against the Mavs in this highlight. His comfort level is much higher when he plays against a team with marginal defenders and nobody to muscle him around.

McMillan mentioned after the season that it is imperative that he develop a face-up game to handle double teams. You'd think that would be something he would have worked on in prior offseasons, but I guess it was more important to develop that deadly three-point shot.

Bottom line: He doesn't attack the basket because he can't dribble.

 

[NJNetz]

LOL. Dampier isn't the slightest bit intimidating. Of course Aldridge attacked the basket there.

 

[Sug]

I call it the Sheed syndrome

 

[Rhal]

I call it the Sheed syndrome

Portland with yet another really really talented PF who has fallen in love with this playing a zillion feet away from the basket and just shooting jumpers all day.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Is it some big secret that his handle is really, really weak in traffic? I guess I thought this had already been discussed at length before.

 

[Ed O]

He can get easier buckets by hitting jumpers.

Also... he's soft.

Ed O.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Is it some big secret that his handle is really, really weak in traffic? I guess I thought this had already been discussed at length before.

Yep. The more pressing question: why doesn't LMA see the problem and do something about it?

 

[RoyToy]

Aldridge's shot selection has been virtually the same the past 3 seasons, a single % either way. He hasn't changed one bit, so it's not like he's doing it less now than before.

 

[Minstrel]

Yep. The more pressing question: why doesn't LMA see the problem and do something about it?

Yes, I hate players who refuse to get more talented.

I think it's possible that there's a limit to how much a player can improve a skill. I don't think every player can be great, or even good, at every aspect of the game if he just "cared enough." From what I've read, Aldridge works very hard and takes basketball seriously. Does every flaw in every player have to be a comment on their character?

 

[THE HCP]

I thought we had gone over this, only 4 PF's averaged more Pts and Rebs then him. I'm very cool with that!

 

[Rodolfo]

Not cool. I thought I was going to see a unicorn.

Happy Birthday...
[video=youtube;PgUSBWufHTo]

 

[THE HCP]

GREAT REPLAYS AS USUAL!

 

[oldmangrouch]

Yes, I hate players who refuse to get more talented.

I think it's possible that there's a limit to how much a player can improve a skill. I don't think every player can be great, or even good, at every aspect of the game if he just "cared enough." From what I've read, Aldridge works very hard and takes basketball seriously. Does every flaw in every player have to be a comment on their character?

Of course not. Some skills are easier to learn than others. LMA is one of the most mobile PFs in the league. I find it hard to believe that he can't learn to dribble a little. (and it isn't as if people are demanding he become Chris Paul)

 

[Minstrel]

Of course not. Some skills are easier to learn than others. LMA is one of the most mobile PFs in the league. I find it hard to believe that he can't learn to dribble a little. (and it isn't as if people are demanding he become Chris Paul)

Mobility isn't the same as dribbling ability. He's quick and athletic, but that doesn't mean he can handle the ball at NBA levels (which is quite a bit more than just being able to bounce the ball). What do you believe, then? That he just doesn't care, that he prefers to be worse?

 

[oldmangrouch]

Mobility isn't the same as dribbling ability. He's quick and athletic, but that doesn't mean he can handle the ball at NBA levels (which is quite a bit more than just being able to bounce the ball). What do you believe, then? That he just doesn't care, that he prefers to be worse?

I think he is less driven than many NBA players. I'm afraid he is too quick to embrace the role of supporting player. I think he settles for being "good enough", and doesn't push himself to be great. As you may recall, this was the knock on him before the draft.

 

[axs88]

LMA is one of the most mobile PFs in the league. I find it hard to believe that he can't learn to dribble a little.

Uh. Give me a break... those two have nothing to do with each other.

 

[jlprk]

McMillan carries a serious countenance but isn't tough enough. It's easy. He will just have to yell at Aldridge all game long.

And dribbling skill doesn't explain why Aldridge shoots backing up instead of leaning into his man.

 

[Nikolokolus]

McMillan carries a serious countenance but isn't tough enough. It's easy. He will just have to yell at Aldridge all game long.

And dribbling skill doesn't explain why Aldridge shoots backing up instead of leaning into his man.

Oh that part is easy to explain, it's because he's soft.