LA really isn't that special

[Sinobas]

I think Blazer fans are really going to love Ed Davis, I have a good feeling about him. Shoots 60%, high energy, his block and rebouding percentages are better than LAs.

He was 8th in the league in blocks per 48 minutes among PFs. (Lamarcus 22nd) 3rd in rebounding (LaMarcus 12th), 3rd in 2p% (LaMarcus 29th)

 

[julius]

As much as I hated watching 10 minutes of LA highlights, I liked what I saw in Davis.

 

[PDXFonz]

As much as I hated watching 10 minutes of LA highlights, I liked what I saw in Davis.

Jumbo Shrimp

 

[Mediocre Man]

For a former Blazer comparison, kind of a poor mans Buck Williams?

 

[julius]

Jumbo Shrimp

><<> ?

 

[julius]

For a former Blazer comparison, kind of a poor mans Buck Williams?

I saw a little Theo Ratliff (boy, now there was a con man), Zach Randolph and Buck. Obviously, he won't be as good as those 3 were, but the one thing I did notice about him, he didn't go up soft like the one guy who used to be the PF for the team. What was his name, Mark Altick?

 

[magnifier661]

I think you will see a disgruntled LMA being forced into the paint way more than he is comfortable with.

Very possible

 

[MickZagger]

Aldridge always had his fair share of haters. Hell, I wanted to trade him for Love, or Favors, or Horford, or Monroe a couple years back. He shot too many damn jump shots.

 

[Minstrel]

Zach's last year in Portland compared to LA's last year in Portland. One of these players was only 25 at the time and we dumped him for virtually nothing. We survived giving up a talented power forward before, and we will do it again. Noah Vonleh just might be the next great power forward in the chain.

I think what your analysis is neglecting is that Randolph was a tremendous player too. Portland fans turning on a player doesn't mean they were actually crap. I'm pretty sure Memphis doesn't regret acquiring him.

Aldridge wasn't (ever) a franchise player, a superstar. He was a very good player...losing that is damaging, but it's not like losing a prime Tim Duncan or Michael Jordan.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think what your analysis is neglecting is that Randolph was a tremendous player too. Portland fans turning on a player doesn't mean they were actually crap. I'm pretty sure Memphis doesn't regret acquiring him.

Aldridge wasn't (ever) a franchise player, a superstar. He was a very good player...losing that is damaging, but it's not like losing a prime Tim Duncan or Michael Jordan.

But that's what my analysis is trying to show. That losing him, while damaging, isn't the end of the world. We gave up Zach for practically nothing (still more than we got for LA though), and we survived. Hell, most people don't even regret moving Zach. And it could be argued that Zach was a better overall talent. A harder worker. Other than having better length, they damn well seem to be identical in terms of how they contributed to the team, although one was 25 and one was 29.

 

[MickZagger]

I think between Davis, Aminu, Leonard and Plumlee its going to be an exciting brand of basketball even if we don't win. Hell even Henderson plays with some fire in his belly.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I think between Davis, Aminu, Leonard and Plumlee its going to be an exciting brand of basketball even if we don't win. Hell even Henderson plays with some fire in his belly.

Have faith. We will win some games by out running and hustling. Something we have forgotten about because we haven't seen it done by this team other than Wes in years really.

 

[Minstrel]

But that's what my analysis is trying to show. That losing him, while damaging, isn't the end of the world. We gave up Zach for practically nothing (still more than we got for LA though), and we survived.

Franchise "survival" is a pretty low bar, though. The franchise will be significantly worse without Aldridge. They have to start over. Losing Randolph for nothing was damaging, but it seemed okay at the time because they had what seemed like a bright future with Oden, Roy and Aldridge. This time around, they don't have any prospects near that level. I think Vonleh is interesting, but he's nothing approaching a blue chip prospect.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Franchise "survival" is a pretty low bar, though. The franchise will be significantly worse without Aldridge. They have to start over. Losing Randolph for nothing was damaging, but it seemed okay at the time because they had what seemed like a bright future with Oden, Roy and Aldridge. This time around, they don't have any prospects near that level. I think Vonleh is interesting, but he's nothing approaching a blue chip prospect.

While Vonleh is quite possibly a year or two away from prime time, I'm confused what your definition of blue chip prospect is. By many accounts, you could argue he is one, or at least close to "approaching".

 

[Natebishop3]

Franchise "survival" is a pretty low bar, though. The franchise will be significantly worse without Aldridge. They have to start over. Losing Randolph for nothing was damaging, but it seemed okay at the time because they had what seemed like a bright future with Oden, Roy and Aldridge. This time around, they don't have any prospects near that level. I think Vonleh is interesting, but he's nothing approaching a blue chip prospect.

 

[Sinobas]

I think Vonleh could be our SF of the future. Good shot and handles. Check him out, you can see hit's a smooth athlete on the perimeter.

 

[tester551]

I'm definitely a bit concerned with Pop yelling at him and eliminating the mistakes in his game he'll have a very special season. We'll have to see what happens.

This is inevitable. I agree it will be interesting how LMA reacts. It has the potential to destroy the spurs season.

There is a chance that LMArespects Pop enough, that he just might solidify his game.

 

[Minstrel]

While Vonleh is quite possibly a year or two away from prime time, I'm confused what your definition of blue chip prospect is. By many accounts, you could argue he is one, or at least close to "approaching".

I like Vonleh, but I don't think many people think he has star upside. Which, I guess, could be said about Roy, looking back. In retrospect, he became a blue chip player, and maybe someone in this bunch will surprise. But Oden was one of the best prospects in recent history and Aldridge was considered to have star upside.

Though, really, whether we should have as much optimism about this team as we did about the Oden/Aldridge/Roy group is a bit beside my point. What I was really pointing out is that Aldridge "only" being roughly as good as Randolph doesn't really mitigate the loss. Aldridge was the foundational player for a dark horse contender last year and Randolph has been a foundational player (along with Gasol) for some very good Memphis teams.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Vonleh was a top-3 or 4 pick last year according to most. Some say he is all-star to borderline all-star potential, a Chris Bosh type. That may not be a blue-chip prospect, but I'd argue that's, at a minimum, approaching blue chip status.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It is going to be interesting for sure to see him in the SA offense. I bet they sold him on their system and how they would get him easier shots within the offense. Can you think of any other team in the league that plays better team ball? He will thrive in it.

But in our system (and most other team's) I think he would be best as the 2nd or 3rd option. Was that going to happen?

 

[Minstrel]

Can you think of any other team in the league that plays better team ball?

The Warriors (well, the two teams are about equal in terms of team ball). But yes, Aldridge's skillset will work quite nicely in San Antonio, especially if he hones his three-point shot.

 

[Pinwheel1]

The Warriors (well, the two teams are about equal in terms of team ball). But yes, Aldridge's skillset will work quite nicely in San Antonio, especially if he hones his three-point shot.

I thought about the Warriors but I discounted them based on the individual play by Steph. Not saying it is not effective..... it is probably more effective, but none the less they rely a lot more on him then the Spurs do on any one player.

 

[SpamKing]

This is inevitable. I agree it will be interesting how LMA reacts. It has the potential to destroy the spurs season.

There is a chance that LMArespects Pop enough, that he just might solidify his game.

After about age 25, we are who we are. aldridge may sublimate himself for 20 games or so, but the primadonna will return. And for $6mil/year, you aren't going to see much regular season Duncan. That should have some interesting effects on the aldridge/Spurs dynamic . . .

 

[magnifier661]

Franchise "survival" is a pretty low bar, though. The franchise will be significantly worse without Aldridge. They have to start over. Losing Randolph for nothing was damaging, but it seemed okay at the time because they had what seemed like a bright future with Oden, Roy and Aldridge. This time around, they don't have any prospects near that level. I think Vonleh is interesting, but he's nothing approaching a blue chip prospect.

Blue chip prospect? You know we Didn't even play Oden his rookie year right? Nate's theory would hold true because anyone would be valued more than what we got from Oden.

 

[Tunchi]

I think Meyers is going to have a breakout year, but I think Vonleh is the future at power forward for us.

I want to believe you but why would an organization just dump him for Batum that's pretty much reached his ceiling? Remember T Rob? He got delt after one season and he was a number 5 pick.

My point is their has to be a reason why a team gave up on him so fast.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I want to believe you but why would an organization just dump him for Batum that's pretty much reached his ceiling? Remember T Rob? He got delt after one season and he was a number 5 pick.

My point is their has to be a reason why a team gave up on him so fast.

Their GM isn't as good as ours, and they're in a win-now (i.e., make the playoffs) mentality with little patience for rookies/young guys.

 

[Tunchi]

Their GM isn't as good as ours, and they're in a win-now (i.e., make the playoffs) mentality with little patience for rookies/young guys.

I feel you on their Gm but shit that's what everybody said about the Kings organization when they dumped TRob..

I'm not getting my hopes up on him theirs def going to be a catch why we got him for pretty much nothing

 

[magnifier661]

I feel you on their Gm but shit that's what everybody said about the Kings organization when they dumped TRob..

I'm not getting my hopes up on him theirs def going to be a catch why we got him for pretty much nothing

Kings were in a win now mode. Their GM just sucked.

 

[Tunchi]

Kings were in a win now mode. Their GM just sucked.

I'm just saying their has to be a catch

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Zach's last year in Portland compared to LA's last year in Portland. One of these players was only 25 at the time and we dumped him for virtually nothing. We survived giving up a talented power forward before, and we will do it again. Noah Vonleh just might be the next great power forward in the chain.

It's kinda like when your girlfriend dumps you so you run telling everyone she really wasn't that pretty and you were going to break up with her anyways.

Bottom line is LMA is one of the top players at his position. It will be difficult to replace him.