LaMarcus Aldridge

[magnifier661]

I am a HUGE fan of his, but I see the same problem with Aldridge as I've seen in Sheed. Of course, not the attitude, but having so much talent and not wanting to be #1. Usually a player of his caliber demands the ball. Calls for it and makes a stink if he's not getting the passes when he established his position.

Aldridge is a little too passive. He looks as if any sign of battling, he tends to drift out of the paint or pass out. I would love to see him take a more assertive approach to the game. I really would like to see him play with a chip on his shoulder. But mainly, score more in the post.

He's still young, and I see he has a tremendous "Work ethic". Just grow some balls and battle down low.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I think he does OK. He's not a Maurice Lucas type PF, but he gets his hands dirty more so than Sheed.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

I am a HUGE fan of his, but I see the same problem with Aldridge as I've seen in Sheed. Of course, not the attitude, but having so much talent and not wanting to be #1. Usually a player of his caliber demands the ball. Calls for it and makes a stink if he's not getting the passes when he established his position.

Aldridge is a little too passive. He looks as if any sign of battling, he tends to drift out of the paint or pass out. I would love to see him take a more assertive approach to the game. I really would like to see him play with a chip on his shoulder. But mainly, score more in the post.

He's still young, and I see he has a tremendous "Work ethic". Just grow some balls and battle down low.

+1 Agree 101%


He could be a superstar - jury is out!

 

[magnifier661]

I think he does OK. He's not a Maurice Lucas type PF, but he gets his hands dirty more so than Sheed.

Don't get me wrong. He is an amazing talent, and I've noticed him being more assertive on the boards. Just demand the ball sometimes. Want to punish the other team. Call for it and be more vocal on the court. He is our second highest player, a contract that you give to a proven leader. So just play like your paid and all will be good.

 

[mook]

12 shots a game. That's all he's averaging right now. I don't know why this is so, but it has to improve. Soon.

 

[magnifier661]

12 shots a game. That's all he's averaging right now. I don't know why this is so, but it has to improve. Soon.

I know. It's weird. I would think the best case would give Roy 16-17 shots a game, LMA 15 shots (20 if he takes everything inside ) and Oden should have around 10 a game.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I've been saying it since his rookie year that he's a third option on a title contending team.

 

[PapaG]

12 shots a game. That's all he's averaging right now. I don't know why this is so, but it has to improve. Soon.

I think #24 has something to do with it.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

He needs to take more shots, take it to the rim more, and play tougher on both ends of the court. He's a top 10 PF in the league and will only get better.

 

[THE HCP]

I agree he needs to get a few more shots up, but I'm also happy that our top 2 players aren't arguing over "Who's The Man". I think LA realizes that this is Brandon's team. But he also needs to realize that he needs to make the opposing team pay for doubling Roy.

 

[BenDavis503]

I agree. He needs to man up a little. He needs to drive to the hoop and score. Force his way in there a couple times a game.

 

[magnifier661]

It's not wanting to be at the same level as B-Roy, but the quality of his scoring. Where it comes from. He also can lead on the defensive end as well. Rebound more and defend like a superstar PF.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

He is passive. When I say some of the dynamics remain unchanged on the team. He is one of the dynamics I'm speaking of. Until he comes and dominates on both ends of the court. Offensively and defensively and plays with an edge. He will be a significant reason why this team struggles to get to where they aspire to go.

To give you an idea of what I'm speaking of. The team drasitcally could have use someone in the post, points in the paint the other night against Atlanta in the fourth quarter. LaMarcus Aldridge was no where to be found and wasn't going to be found in that situation. Until he changes his mind set on somethings. This is what we have LaMarcus.

 

[magnifier661]

He is passive. When I say some of the dynamics remain unchanged on the team. He is one of the dynamics I'm speaking of. Until he comes and dominates on both ends of the court. Offensively and defensively and plays with an edge. He will be a significant reason why this team struggles to get to where they aspire to go.

To give you an idea of what I'm speaking of. The team drasitcally could have use someone in the post, points in the paint the other night against Atlanta in the fourth quarter. LaMarcus Aldridge was no where to be found and wasn't going to be found in that situation. Until he changes his mind set on somethings. This is what we have LaMarcus.

Unfortunately on that game, his number wasn't called, therefor I don't think it's a fair comparison. I think a better one was when they were feeding him in the post, and he would be pushed out of the paint on single coverage, only to swing to to the top of the key with 4 seconds left on the shot clock.

Now on that Atlanta game, he was embarrassed by Smith on the rebounding end. Being pushed around all over on any rebounding position.

 

[hasoos]

You know people said the same things about Sheed and then he went and won a championshiop as a piece of the Pistons. Folks seem to forget how bad we had it when Zbo was here, and he wouldn't hustle at all.

I also would point out that the Blazers #1 rebounder on the road trip, was Aldridge. Not Pryz. Not Oden. Aldridge.

So you can keep bitchin if you want, but this dude isn't the problem. If anything is a problem, it's the fact that the team goes away from him when he is hot, for absoutely no reason at all.

 

[Natebishop3]

You know people said the same things about Sheed and then he went and won a championshiop as a piece of the Pistons. Folks seem to forget how bad we had it when Zbo was here, and he wouldn't hustle at all.

I also would point out that the Blazers #1 rebounder on the road trip, was Aldridge. Not Pryz. Not Oden. Aldridge.

So you can keep bitchin if you want, but this dude isn't the problem. If anything is a problem, it's the fact that the team goes away from him when he is hot, for absoutely no reason at all.

I think his rebounding has improved immensely. My only complain is that I would like to see him get a few more shots, and I would like to see him post up a bit more.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

One of the things you said in your post was Usually a player of his caliber demands the ball. Calls for it and makes a stink if he's not getting the passes when he established his position.

He wasn't doing that at all in the fourth. He wasn't doing anything for himself to get position in the fourth. I'd have to go look at the tape but I think most of his time was spent on the outside. waiting for the opportunity to chuck it.

 

[magnifier661]

You know people said the same things about Sheed and then he went and won a championshiop as a piece of the Pistons. Folks seem to forget how bad we had it when Zbo was here, and he wouldn't hustle at all.

I also would point out that the Blazers #1 rebounder on the road trip, was Aldridge. Not Pryz. Not Oden. Aldridge.

So you can keep bitchin if you want, but this dude isn't the problem. If anything is a problem, it's the fact that the team goes away from him when he is hot, for absoutely no reason at all.

My complaint isn't that he can't do those things. It's that he's not leading and demanding the ball more. He is fully capable of smashing the post and getting their bigs in foul trouble. I just worry that he's not making a conscience effort to punish the other teams in the paint. It may be Nate's fault, wanting him to be the #1 option off the pick and pop.

 

[magnifier661]

One of the things you said in your post was Usually a player of his caliber demands the ball. Calls for it and makes a stink if he's not getting the passes when he established his position.

He wasn't doing that at all in the fourth. He wasn't doing anything for himself to get position in the fourth. I'd have to go look at the tape but I think most of his time was spent on the outside. waiting for the opportunity to chuck it.

I want him to demand the ball more on the court. That type of demanding, when you are hot, is addictive. Be more assertive.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think #24 has something to do with it.

I agree. If only Miller would stop passing to Blake (his favorite target) and get the ball to Aldridge.

 

[hasoos]

My complaint isn't that he can't do those things. It's that he's not leading and demanding the ball more. He is fully capable of smashing the post and getting their bigs in foul trouble. I just worry that he's not making a conscience effort to punish the other teams in the paint. It may be Nate's fault, wanting him to be the #1 option off the pick and pop.

The thing is watching the games there is no explanation why they keep going away from him. In the Atlanta game he had 14 first half points and was wining the battle. Then in the second half, play after play they go away from him. You can tell the play isn't even called for him at all, because he isn't even an option. That is my problem

This coaching staff couldn't ride a horse if it was saddled up and they were duck taped to the saddle. That is their problem. They fail to recognize when players are hot and ride the hot hand.

 

[alex42083]

LaMarcus seems to be a forgotten man in the offense sometimes. G.O. is getting his fair share of touches in the post, Roy always needs his.. Blake is tossing up bricks at the 3-point line, and then LA just sort of drifts away. I think it's just a matter of Nate running plays for him in the post but there are just a lot of players on the floor who need the ball, although I don't want to see Blake shooting 10-plus three-point attempts again.

 

[oldguy]

I'm a big fan of LMA. I think part of the issue with post scoring and rebounding is that he plays the high post. That doesn't put him in a great position to rebound.

That has basically been the plan, Greg/Joel on the low block, with LMA on the high block. When he does go into the low post, where do Greg/Joel go? If they stay on the low block, it clogs things for LMA. If they move outside, their guy can double LMA, because Greg/Joel will not make them pay by hitting from outside.

I do agree with hasoos (maybe some others) about riding LMA when he's hot. When LMA is hot....get him the damn ball. Actually, the coaching staff doesn't seem to 'get' this point for any of the guys.

Go Blazers

 

[LittleAlex]

LMA's hot is hotter then anyone else's hot on the team.

Literally when he has it going he hit everything he puts in the air. Totally unstopable.

In fact the only guy in the league who can stop a hot LaMarcus is Nate.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I agree he needs to get a few more shots up, but I'm also happy that our top 2 players aren't arguing over "Who's The Man". I think LA realizes that this is Brandon's team. But he also needs to realize that he needs to make the opposing team pay for doubling Roy.

I like the chemistry between Roy and Aldridge. IMO, They both are humble, respect each other, know they are each part of the face of the franchise and most improtantly I get the feeling they are both in the same place as far as understanding they can improve and having the title as a their ultimate goal (above anything else)

I hoep Oden remains humble. As he continues to grow, he has shown is is capable of dominating on both sides of the court and can even out run many players (on the break) who guard him. So if Oden becomes a dominant player, can he co-exist with Roy (who is the natural leader of the team) or does Oden want to be on a team where he is clearly "the man."

 

[magnifier661]

I like the chemistry between Roy and Aldridge. IMO, They both are humble, respect each other, know they are each part of the face of the franchise and most improtantly I get the feeling they are both in the same place as far as understanding they can improve and having the title as a their ultimate goal (above anything else)

I hoep Oden remains humble. As he continues to grow, he has shown is is capable of dominating on both sides of the court and can even out run many players (on the break) who guard him. So if Oden becomes a dominant player, can he co-exist with Roy (who is the natural leader of the team) or does Oden want to be on a team where he is clearly "the man."

I really don't see that in Oden. He truly seems like a very humble player and person. I remembered reading some article that on his off days, he just plays video games and reads. I don't read about him rollin with some entourage either. KP did great finding "Quality people" in terms with personalities.

 

[Nikolokolus]

LMA was this team's only low post option last year and now increasingly that is a spot occupied by Greg, which makes LaMarcus more of a high-post or weakside shooter, that put together with a reduced number of minutes and fewer shots overall (for whatever reason) and you're seeing a dip in his offensive production. On the other hand his rebounding is much improved.

Now that Travis is down I fully expect to see LMA's per game numbers rise, but I also suspect his usage rate will rise also as he'll be getting more shots that Travis otherwise would have taken. I just hope people don't jump on his nuts because he's taking more jumpers than ever -- cause that will be the role he'll be asked to take.

But if you just focus on his per36 numbers and some of his other trends, (like defensive rating, rebound percentage, etc.) there's a lot to be encouraged by so far.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aldrila01.html

For the me if his minutes climb back north of 36+ and you can get 16/9 out of LMA coupled with his versatility on defense and a near 50% from the field, I think that's a pretty good value.

 

[magnifier661]

LMA was this team's only low post option last year and now increasingly that is a spot occupied by Greg, which makes LaMarcus more of a high-post or weakside shooter, that put together with a reduced number of minutes and fewer shots overall (for whatever reason) and you're seeing a dip in his offensive production. On the other hand his rebounding is much improved.

Now that Travis is down I fully expect to see LMA's per game numbers rise, but I also suspect his usage rate will rise also as he'll be getting more shots that Travis otherwise would have taken. I just hope people don't jump on his nuts because he's taking more jumpers than ever -- cause that will be the role he'll be asked to take.

But if you just focus on his per36 numbers and some of his other trends, (like defensive rating, rebound percentage, etc.) there's a lot to be encouraged by so far.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aldrila01.html

For the record, if his minutes climb back north of 36+ and you can get 16/9 out of LMA coupled with his versatility on defense and a near 50% from the field, I think that's a pretty good value.

I would be pleasantly satisfied with 16/9 production. Even a 15/10. I would love to see a double double average from him

 

[Nikolokolus]

I would be pleasantly satisfied with 16/9 production. Even a 15/10. I would love to see a double double average from him

That's such a weird psychological thing (the double double). The difference between 9 and 10 seems so arbitrary to me.

 

[magnifier661]

That's such a weird psychological thing (the double double). The difference between 9 and 10 seems so arbitrary to me.

I know right?!?!?! It's weird that only 1+ looks so different.