Lamarcus Aldridge probably WILL NOT sign extension with Portland.

[Natebishop3]

Yes he did. He averaged 32.0 ppg on 33.0 USG% with .503 FG%, a TS% of .635 and a PER = 29.8. Those are definitely MVP numbers.

Compare them to Anthony:

27.4 ppg on 32.4 USG%, .452 FG%, .561 TS% and PER = 24.4. Anthony's numbers were significantly lower than Durant's in all cases EXCEPT USG%.

Durant deserved his 33.0 USG%, Melo, not so much.




If you only include scoring in your ranking of best offensive players, but if you include total offense and efficiency, I'd definitely rank Steph Curry and his 24.0 ppg/8.5 apg on .610 TS% and 28.3 USG% ahead of Anthony. As much as I hate his flopping, James Harden is also a more efficient scorer than Anthony. And, again if you consider total offensive game, not just scoring, I'd rank Chris Paul ahead of Anthony. Paul may have only averaged 19.1 ppg, but he's a more efficient scorer than Anthony and contributes 10.7 apg. Paul makes his teammates better, and therefore, has more of a positive impact on his team than Anthony does. Paul had a higher PER (25.9 vs. 24.4) than Anthony, but a MUCH lower USG% (23.7 vs. 32.4). There's more to offense than individual scoring.

BNM

I'm not a fan of Melo by any means, but do you think his extremely high usage had anything to do with how shitty New York is? Maybe it was the coach? I look at New York and I don't see a team overflowing with talent. What was his usage in Denver? We bash on Melo, but he hasn't he been on teams that went to the WCF or at least the second round?

 

[blue9]

I'm not a fan of Melo by any means, but do you think his extremely high usage had anything to do with how shitty New York is? Maybe it was the coach? I look at New York and I don't see a team overflowing with talent. What was his usage in Denver? We bash on Melo, but he hasn't he been on teams that went to the WCF or at least the second round?

I think he made it to the 2nd round once.
I don't like him, but as a #1 option he's better than our current #1 option. I'd swap them if that's the best we could do.
I do think a lot of Melo's "blackholeness" is due to coaching. Coaches are too afraid to hold their star players accountable. If you get a coach like Pops who isn't afraid to chew out his best players I think Melo could be a great player. He has the ability and desire, but not the direction.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think he made it to the 2nd round once.
I don't like him, but as a #1 option he's better than our current #1 option. I'd swap them if that's the best we could do.
I do think a lot of Melo's "blackholeness" is due to coaching. Coaches are too afraid to hold their star players accountable. If you get a coach like Pops who isn't afraid to chew out his best players I think Melo could be a great player. He has the ability and desire, but not the direction.

The Nuggets lost to the Lakers in the WCF in 2008-2009. I had to look it up.

 

[blue9]

The Nuggets lost to the Lakers in the WCF in 2008-2009. I had to look it up.

Huh!

 

[Boob-No-More]

I'm not a fan of Melo by any means, but do you think his extremely high usage had anything to do with how shitty New York is? Maybe it was the coach? I look at New York and I don't see a team overflowing with talent. What was his usage in Denver? We bash on Melo, but he hasn't he been on teams that went to the WCF or at least the second round?

No, I don't. He's played on some pretty good teams with some pretty talented teammates (Iverson, Billups, Kenyon Martin, etc. in Denver). As mentioned, he went to the WCF with a pretty stacked Denver team. But, the one thing that's remained consistent is his VERY high USG%. He's basically tied with Kobe Bryant (31.75 vs. 31.74) for the 4th highest career USG% in the entire history of the NBA. His USG% has been above 30 for 9 years in a row and top 5 for the last 8 years. His career USG% is higher than both LeBron (4 time MVP) and Durant (4 time scoring champ). His career USG% is also higher than: Shaq, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Julius Erving, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitski, Larry Bird, etc. He's not an all-time top 10 player, but he jacks up shots like he thinks he is. Plus, he's almost 30. No way do I want him on my team.

BNM

 

[Denny Crane]

Yes he did. He averaged 32.0 ppg on 33.0 USG% with .503 FG%, a TS% of .635 and a PER = 29.8. Those are definitely MVP numbers.

Compare them to Anthony:

27.4 ppg on 32.4 USG%, .452 FG%, .561 TS% and PER = 24.4. Anthony's numbers were significantly lower than Durant's in all cases EXCEPT USG%.

Durant deserved his 33.0 USG%, Melo, not so much.




If you only include scoring in your ranking of best offensive players, but if you include total offense and efficiency, I'd definitely rank Steph Curry and his 24.0 ppg/8.5 apg on .610 TS% and 28.3 USG% ahead of Anthony. As much as I hate his flopping, James Harden is also a more efficient scorer than Anthony. And, again if you consider total offensive game, not just scoring, I'd rank Chris Paul ahead of Anthony. Paul may have only averaged 19.1 ppg, but he's a more efficient scorer than Anthony and contributes 10.7 apg. Paul makes his teammates better, and therefore, has more of a positive impact on his team than Anthony does. Paul had a higher PER (25.9 vs. 24.4) than Anthony, but a MUCH lower USG% (23.7 vs. 32.4). There's more to offense than individual scoring.

BNM

I think if you need a basket, Melo is the best option. Period.

"Melo not so much." We will never see eye to eye on this one. Who else instead? Felton!

Wow.

24 PER is what you are ragging on.

Unlike Harden, the guy has never disappeared in the playoffs.

 

[RoyToy]

Neil needs to get Melo

 

[Denny Crane]

Neil needs to get Melo

No, he doesn't.

I think he's better than any one starter on the team, but it would take two starters in a S&T scenario to get him, which is too big a price.

 

[Masala716]

gist of the article. Red is if he waits to sign a new contract as a FA. Black is if he signs an extension.

 

[santeesioux]

Neil needs to get Melo

Deng tbh.

 

[HailBlazers]

Neil needs to get Melo

can't tell if joking...

Deng tbh.

tbh.

 

[Denny Crane]

No, I don't. He's played on some pretty good teams with some pretty talented teammates (Iverson, Billups, Kenyon Martin, etc. in Denver). As mentioned, he went to the WCF with a pretty stacked Denver team. But, the one thing that's remained consistent is his VERY high USG%. He's basically tied with Kobe Bryant (31.75 vs. 31.74) for the 4th highest career USG% in the entire history of the NBA. His USG% has been above 30 for 9 years in a row and top 5 for the last 8 years. His career USG% is higher than both LeBron (4 time MVP) and Durant (4 time scoring champ). His career USG% is also higher than: Shaq, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Julius Erving, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitski, Larry Bird, etc. He's not an all-time top 10 player, but he jacks up shots like he thinks he is. Plus, he's almost 30. No way do I want him on my team.

BNM

Iverson played 3 games the season they went to the WCF. The season before, Iverson managed .2 less FGA/game than Melo and outscored him. Not enough ball to go around?

 

[RoyToy]

No, he doesn't.

I think he's better than any one starter on the team, but it would take two starters in a S&T scenario to get him, which is too big a price.

No it's not

 

[RoyToy]

Batum had a 14.7 PER in the playoffs

Matthews 9.8 PER

 

[Mediocre Man]

We desperately need to upgrade out wing position. Batum and Matthews are nice glue guys, but this is a wing dominated league

 

[ripcityboy]

The thing that Oshey has to do. And I think that he can is ask Larmarcus, WTF do you want to do? If Aldridge says I don't know, then Oshey has to convince him the team can't accept that for it's future. After that, whether he signs a extention, or becomes a free agent is the point. But if this team loses control of Aldridge it is f-cked.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I think if you need a basket, Melo is the best option. Period.

"Melo not so much." We will never see eye to eye on this one. Who else instead? Felton!

Right, that's exactly what I said, isn't it?

24 PER is what you are ragging on.

No, I'm ragging on his high USG% - especially compared to his PER. You were the one who brought up Durant and his marginally higher USG%. Well, Durant also led the league in PER (and scoring and had a MUCH higher TS%) so he deserved his slightly higher USG%. As I stated in another reply, Melo has a higher career USG% than both LeBron and Durant, but his career PER is considerably lower (21.2 vs. 27.8 vs. 24.5).

Unlike Harden, the guy has never disappeared in the playoffs.

Define disappeared. Does not making the playoffs count as disappearing, or maybe just not appearing. If the guy is one of the 3 best offensive players in the league he should be able to lead his team to more than 37 wins in an incredibly weak Eastern Conference, shouldn't he? Shit, the Blazers won 33 games last season in the much tougher Western Conference and they were deliberately tanking the last month of the season.

Melo has posted a post season PER less than 15.0 four times, and all 4 times his team lost in the first round in 4 or 5 games - that's disappearing. Harden's career low playoff PER = 15.8 - his rookie year. He's been at 18.6 or higher every other post season. So yeah, I think you need to reconsider which of these two has a history of disappearing in the post season.

BNM

 

[Denny Crane]

USG% excuse to bash the guy. 2nd team all nba behind LeBron and Durant, 2nd in the league in scoring , .400 from 3pt, 3+ assists, etc., are the answer. But you yell louder. You win!

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

USG% excuse to bash the guy. 2nd team all nba behind LeBron and Durant, 2nd in the league in scoring , .400 from 3pt, 3+ assists, etc., are the answer. But you yell louder. You win!

 

[dviss1]

No, I don't. He's played on some pretty good teams with some pretty talented teammates (Iverson, Billups, Kenyon Martin, etc. in Denver). As mentioned, he went to the WCF with a pretty stacked Denver team. But, the one thing that's remained consistent is his VERY high USG%. He's basically tied with Kobe Bryant (31.75 vs. 31.74) for the 4th highest career USG% in the entire history of the NBA. His USG% has been above 30 for 9 years in a row and top 5 for the last 8 years. His career USG% is higher than both LeBron (4 time MVP) and Durant (4 time scoring champ). His career USG% is also higher than: Shaq, Karl Malone, Tim Duncan, Julius Erving, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitski, Larry Bird, etc. He's not an all-time top 10 player, but he jacks up shots like he thinks he is. Plus, he's almost 30. No way do I want him on my team.

BNM

Truth by one of the best posters in the forum. Repped to death.

 

[blue9]

gist of the article. Red is if he waits to sign a new contract as a FA. Black is if he signs an extension.

Crippling!

 

[cmeese47]

Here is the question, most of us want LA to return after last season; however, I would much rather see us resign him to an extension than to a new deal. I have Zero problem resigning LA for 18.333 million a season on average. Signing LA to a new 5 year deal on the other hand posses major potential issues, such as paying a 35 year old LA nearly 29 million a season.

At that price it might be time to reconsider trading LA if he declines an extension in July.

 

[PapaG]

Here is the question, most of us want LA to return after last season; however, I would much rather see us resign him to an extension than to a new deal. I have Zero problem resigning LA for 18.333 million a season on average. Signing LA to a new 5 year deal on the other hand posses major potential issues, such as paying a 35 year old LA nearly 29 million a season.

At that price it might be time to reconsider trading LA if he declines an extension in July.

He's not going to sign an extension.


Are posters are going to shit their pants again all summer long about trading him for mediocre players and crapshoot draft picks?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

He's not going to sign an extension.


Are posters are going to shit their pants again all summer long about trading him for mediocre players and crapshoot draft picks?

One would think that, after a season like this season, we can finally have one summer where posters aren't chanting to tear it down and rebuild.

Wishful thinking . . .

 

[cmeese47]

Of course he is not going to sign an extension that is 7 million a season difference and 2 years less. Yet, 29 million a season is a franchise wrecking contract if he does not age well.

If I can get Thompson, Lee, Green and a future pick I think 2019 is the first available for LA then it might be worth considering moving him rather than paying him an average salary of 25 million.

 

[Blazer Freak]

Of course he is not going to sign an extension that is 7 million a season difference and 2 years less. Yet, 29 million a season is a franchise wrecking contract if he does not age well.

If I can get Thompson, Lee, Green and a future pick I think 2019 is the first available for LA then it might be worth considering moving him rather than paying him an average salary of 25 million.

Just because that 5 year/127M contract is the max they can give him doesn't mean they are actually going to do it...not sure why everyone is freaking out and saying TRADE.

You also have to remember, the CBA allows for only 1 5-year contract per team now, and if the Blazers are smart--that deal will go to Lillard. Dame will likely get the D-Rose Super Max deal which goes about 5 years/95M if I am correct and the Blazers and LA will likely settle around 4 years/90M.

Get off this "Trading LA" idea people, if you see how things have gone with LA recently and the way Olshey talked in the Exit interviews, the guy is here for the long haul.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Of course he is not going to sign an extension that is 7 million a season difference and 2 years less. Yet, 29 million a season is a franchise wrecking contract if he does not age well.

It's not necessarily an either/or situation. We can give him more, without going all the way to max., if he doesn't sign an extension this summer. I have to think there is some middle ground between the two extremes (more than anyone else can give him, but less than the absolute maximum) that would make both parties happy.

I do think (and hope) LaMarcus will age well. He has the type of game that does not rely on lightning quickness or jumping out of the gym. So, I can easily see him playing at an all-star level for another 4 or 5 years. LaMarcus uses his length well, reminds me of Sheed in that way, and look how long Sheed hung around the league.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

Just because that 5 year/127M contract is the max they can give him doesn't mean they are actually going to do it...not sure why everyone is freaking out and saying TRADE.

Beat me to it.

You also have to remember, the CBA allows for only 1 5-year contract per team now, and if the Blazers are smart--that deal will go to Lillard. Dame will likely get the D-Rose Super Max deal which goes about 5 years/95M if I am correct and the Blazers and LA will likely settle around 4 years/90M.

I forgot about that, but it's a very good point.

Get off this "Trading LA" idea people, if you see how things have gone with LA recently and the way Olshey talked in the Exit interviews, the guy is here for the long haul.

Agreed! I really didn't understand the "urgency" to trade him last year and I still don't understand it this year. This whole blow it up and build through the lottery is nonsense for a small market team. If you do get lucky with some sort of divine intervention, get the top pick and draft the next LeBron, he's not going to turn your 15-win team around overnight, and by the time he does get good enough to lead you on a deep playoff run, he'll bolt for a bigger market as soon as his rookie contract is up and you'll be left starting over, yet again.

We're very lucky. We already have two all-stars and a young 54-win team. How many others small market teams can say that? Our team is young, we have a solid core, can continue to improve through the organic growth of our players, add supporting pieces and are in a good position if a disgruntled superstar wants out of his current situation. Olshey knows what he's doing. He's not going to give up one of our best pieces for someone else's castoffs.

BNM

 

[PtldPlatypus]

You also have to remember, the CBA allows for only 1 5-year contract per team now, and if the Blazers are smart--that deal will go to Lillard. Dame will likely get the D-Rose Super Max deal which goes about 5 years/95M if I am correct and the Blazers and LA will likely settle around 4 years/90M.

How do you think LA will take it if Olshey and the Blazers tell him, "I know you've made 4 straight all-star games, but we're not giving you the 5 year deal you want because we're saving that for next summer for Damian." Sounds like something he could easily take as an insult.

 

[cmeese47]

Just because that 5 year/127M contract is the max they can give him doesn't mean they are actually going to do it...not sure why everyone is freaking out and saying TRADE.

You also have to remember, the CBA allows for only 1 5-year contract per team now, and if the Blazers are smart--that deal will go to Lillard. Dame will likely get the D-Rose Super Max deal which goes about 5 years/95M if I am correct and the Blazers and LA will likely settle around 4 years/90M.

Get off this "Trading LA" idea people, if you see how things have gone with LA recently and the way Olshey talked in the Exit interviews, the guy is here for the long haul.

Dame does not qualify for the Rose deal. He has not been voted to start 2 all star games nor has he been MVP or on two All NBA teams. In addition, the limit to 5 year deals only applies to rookies. We can give Damian and LA both 5 year deals.