Lamarcus at SF

[Blazer4ever]

Would u consider LA at SF in certain situations?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

No.

You do realize that his playing weight is now at 275 lbs, right?

 

[Blazer4ever]

He is a good defender on the perimeter

 

[tester551]

He is a good defender on the perimeter

I wouldn't say he is good. He's adequate. He sags off far ebough to make sure he doesn't get beat to the rim & gives up open jumpers.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

No. Well, maybe for an odd minute here and there, but not really. He does an alright job contesting shots when he has to switch off his man, but he definitely is not a small forward.

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

we suck again

 

[Blazinaway]

he really should play C IMO given his strength and that he's now a lot stronger and heavier than his early years but since he does not like to it is what it is

 

[magnifier661]

he really should play C IMO given his strength and that he's now a lot stronger and heavier than his early years but since he does not like to it is what it is

I actually agree with this for this series. If Wright was healthy, I would rotate Leonard and Wright at PF while having Aldridge and Lopez play the center position.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

LA wants nothing to do with playing center.

 

[Blazinaway]

LA wants nothing to do with playing center.

well that's an issue IMO, you do what NEED to do for your team to give it the best chance of winning, those are the guys I want on my team

 

[PtldPlatypus]

LA wants nothing to do with playing center.

Fortunately, he doesn't have to. Leonard may not play like a traditional center, but he's a legit 7-footer, and he has learned how to defend centers. IMO, he (along with CJ) was the Blazers' best defensive player in the 4th last night. LA and Leonard can play together, can both call themselves 4's while playing 4/5, and will complement each other beautifully.

Rolo has been great for us for the past couple years, but I think he moves on this summer. The Nards era has begun.

 

[Blazinaway]

Fortunately, he doesn't have to. Leonard may not play like a traditional center, but he's a legit 7-footer, and he has learned how to defend centers. IMO, he (along with CJ) was the Blazers' best defensive player in the 4th last night. LA and Leonard can play together, can both call themselves 4's while playing 4/5, and will complement each other beautifully.

Rolo has been great for us for the past couple years, but I think he moves on this summer. The Nards era has begun.

I agree, Leonard really played the best D I have ever seen from him, if he can at least be a consistent average defender at the C, with his offensive skills, I'd much rather have him at C and pickup a backup this summer unless Rolo signs for relatively cheap

 

[BBert]

Fortunately, he doesn't have to. Leonard may not play like a traditional center, but he's a legit 7-footer, and he has learned how to defend centers. IMO, he (along with CJ) was the Blazers' best defensive player in the 4th last night. LA and Leonard can play together, can both call themselves 4's while playing 4/5, and will complement each other beautifully.

Rolo has been great for us for the past couple years, but I think he moves on this summer. The Nards era has begun.

What kept crossing my mind watching Meyers last night was that next year we might be starting Meyers at center and have Rolo off the bench. Even though Meyers sees himself as a stretch 4, I loved his defense on the supposed best big man tandem in the NBA, and his offensive touch speaks for itself. I know Meyers has groomed himself to play outside (to his strength), but he needs to spend the entire summer working on his inside game. I hope he understands how important it is to add dimensions to his arsenal.

 

[BBert]

I agree, Leonard really played the best D I have ever seen from him, if he can at least be a consistent average defender at the C, with his offensive skills, I'd much rather have him at C and pickup a backup this summer unless Rolo signs for relatively cheap

What surprised me was how strong he looked when he was dug in on defense. Gasol would try to move him, but couldn't. And he can get stronger still (I'm speaking lower body).

 

[PtldPlatypus]

What kept crossing my mind watching Meyers last night was that next year we might be starting Meyers at center and have Rolo off the bench. Even though Meyers sees himself as a stretch 4, I loved his defense on the supposed best big man tandem in the NBA, and his offensive touch speaks for itself. I know Meyers has groomed himself to play outside (to his strength), but he needs to spend the entire summer working on his inside game. I hope he understands how important it is to add dimensions to his arsenal.

But what's more valuable to the team as a whole? Leonard being able to score in the post, or Leonard drawing the rim protectors away from the paint with his perimeter game? I would much rather the lane be open for Aldridge post-ups or CJ drives.

Defense down low is key, but IMO he is already exactly who he needs to be on offense.

 

[Natebishop3]

But what's more valuable to the team as a whole? Leonard being able to score in the post, or Leonard drawing the rim protectors away from the paint with his perimeter game? I would much rather the lane be open for Aldridge post-ups or CJ drives.

Defense down low is key, but IMO he is already exactly who he needs to be on offense.

I think it's important that he is capable of running a solid pick and roll/pick and pop. That could be one huge advantage over Rolo.

 

[blue9]

What kept crossing my mind watching Meyers last night was that next year we might be starting Meyers at center and have Rolo off the bench. Even though Meyers sees himself as a stretch 4, I loved his defense on the supposed best big man tandem in the NBA, and his offensive touch speaks for itself. I know Meyers has groomed himself to play outside (to his strength), but he needs to spend the entire summer working on his inside game. I hope he understands how important it is to add dimensions to his arsenal.

I'm actually pleasantly surprised by his inside game. He's got a great touch around the basket. I would be shocked if he doesn't continue to work on both his inside and outside game because he's shown to be capable at any distance from the hoop. He really seems to be embracing playing C right now, too.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I think it's important that he is capable of running a solid pick and roll/pick and pop. That could be one huge advantage over Rolo.

Just setting a solid pick would be a huge advantage over EVERY BIG (save for Przybilla) WE'VE HAD THIS MILLENIUM!

 

[riverman]

A center needs thumbs...LA has been playing without them for a stretch now..respect the effort

 

[dviss1]

When people suggest this I just put my face in my palms. How can LA play SF when he can't take a defender off the dribble from the top of the key?
His handles are SUSPECT.

 

[riverman]

When people suggest this I just put my face in my palms. How can LA play SF when he can't take a defender off the dribble from the top of the key?
His handles are SUSPECT.

It is very hard to dribble without thumbs

 

[PtldPlatypus]

It is very hard to dribble without thumbs

And the excuse prior to his thumb injury would be...?

LA has never had a good handle, even for a power forward. IMO, it's one of his biggest shortcomings as a stretch 4, and a big contributing factor to his high quantity of contested outside jumpers. Even when pressed, he doesn't have the ability to safely dribble in on or around his man.

 

[Natebishop3]

Just setting a solid pick would be a huge advantage over EVERY BIG (save for Przybilla) WE'VE HAD THIS MILLENIUM!

That's the thing about Gasol... that guy sets a mean pick. The refs look the other way too.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

That's the thing about Gasol... that guy sets a mean pick. The refs look the other way too.

That pick and roll in the final minute where he got the dunk--absolutely leveled CJ. TNT announcers tried suggesting using smaller defenders to allow for switching on the PnR, as though Leonard somehow was ineffective on that switch. No--Gasol's pick made that play.

BTW, Aldridge should have rotated sooner...

 

[Nikolokolus]

Christ on a crutch. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when Stotts goes up to LaMarcus and says, "Hey big fella, I've got this wacky idea. How would you like to be a small forward? I mean yeah, I know you've got multiple appearances as an all-star at your natural position as a 4, but this would really be for the good of the tea . . . He big guy. Come back. I wasn't done talking."

 

[riverman]

And the excuse prior to his thumb injury would be...?

LA has never had a good handle, even for a power forward. IMO, it's one of his biggest shortcomings as a stretch 4, and a big contributing factor to his high quantity of contested outside jumpers. Even when pressed, he doesn't have the ability to safely dribble in on or around his man.

LA is a beast, even injured..PFs aren't called on to dribble around much. I like his game and he has been playing injured for a long time..I respect what he's done this season

 

[riverman]

Christ on a crutch. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when Stotts goes up to LaMarcus and says, "Hey big fella, I've got this wacky idea. How would you like to be a small forward? I mean yeah, I know you've got multiple appearances as an all-star at your natural position as a 4, but this would really be for the good of the tea . . . He big guy. Come back. I wasn't done talking."

Post of the week right here!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

LA is a beast, even injured..PFs aren't called on to dribble around much. I like his game and he has been playing injured for a long time..I respect what he's done this season

Nobody disagrees with any of that. Still doesn't change the fact that he doesn't dribble well. Most elite PF's have the ability to dribble into the paint when they get the ball 15-18 feet out in order to get a better shot. Aldridge doesn't do that well. It's a shortcoming. Acknowledging it doesn't make you less of a fan.

 

[riverman]

Nobody disagrees with any of that. Still doesn't change the fact that he doesn't dribble well. Most elite PF's have the ability to dribble into the paint when they get the ball 15-18 feet out in order to get a better shot. Aldridge doesn't do that well. It's a shortcoming. Acknowledging it doesn't make you less of a fan.

I disagree..his up and under moves in the post are skilled moves. He's also dealing with multiple defenders game to game. Who are these elite 7 ft ball handlers?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I disagree..his up and under moves in the post are skilled moves. He's also dealing with multiple defenders game to game. Who are these elite 7 ft ball handlers?

When he's in the low post, he's very skilled with his footwork, or one-dribble moves. That's not what I'm talking about.

Have you never watched Dirk or Garnett (in his day) put the ball on the floor from the perimeter to get inside? I would venture that Griffin and Davis are both far superior ball-handlers to Aldridge as well. Love and Bosh too. Not to say that they're Steph Curry, but they're not a liability while dribbling.

My question to you would be the reverse--what elite PF's have ball-handling skills that are equal to or worse than Aldridge's? Duncan (who is superior in other ways), and...?