LMA: "The Man"

[ABM]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ers_lamarcus_aldridge_is_ready_to_be_the.html

 

[ABM]

Interesting.

Aldridge says he is better this season -- physically, mentally and technically.

He has hired a nutritionist, who has gone as far to do studies on how different foods react with his body. For instance, the study found that orange juice makes him tired. He said his diet has been altered from a heavy carbohydrate intake to a more protein-based foods.

He has also continued his yearly trend of adding muscle. His chest, in particular, is noticeably thicker.

Technically, he says he is ready to use more of his left hand for dribbling and shooting. Also, he says he has worked extensively on getting the ball at the free throw line, then using a collection of dribbles and moves to get to the basket.

The combination of a stronger, healthier body and the expansion of his already extensive offensive game, has made Aldridge a more confident player. It's the type of confidence -- assured but not selfish -- that a franchise player needs to have.

"I definitely wanted this for myself one day," Aldridge said. "I didn't want Brandon to retire for it to happen, but I definitely wanted to be in this position to prove that I can handle this role. I feel I work hard enough, and that I have worked hard enough, to do it."

Perhaps the biggest gap left by Roy's retirement is the role of closer. Roy had a knack for making game-winning or game-clinching shots, making more than 40 throughout his five-year career. Aldridge could name about five, all of them last season after Roy was injured.

"I'm definitely looking forward to growing in that aspect of closing games, and being that guy for the team," Aldridge said. "You have to learn how to do it, and last year was the beginning for me to close games. This year I want to take it to next level, because as you do it more and more you get better at it."

 

[ABM]

Then there's........

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2011/12/19/2648266/what-about-l-a-lamarcus-aldridge

 

[magnifier661]

I'm not gonna take too much on this preseason game because he had one practice and maybe a little rusty, but... He was having a real tough time scoring in the paint. Hopefully this gets worked Out. We need him to dominate the post.

 

[ABM]

Smitty just predicted LMA will make the AS game this season.

 

[Masbee]

Orange juice.

Any up to date with current science nutritionist will tell you most fruit juice is not very healthy and should be consumed sparingly.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Then there's........

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2011/12/19/2648266/what-about-l-a-lamarcus-aldridge

At least the comments are about 90% "GTFO" or "LMAO"

 

[Mediocre Man]

I am really rooting for Aldridge to be able to be the guy, without being the guy like Roy was

 

[BBert]

Then there's........

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2011/12/19/2648266/what-about-l-a-lamarcus-aldridge

I like how the OP explains in the second sentence why it's a stupid idea and the other teams wouldn't do it. LOL Flakers would instantly be the best team in the league, so there's that.

 

[ABM]

Hmmm..........

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ldridge_on_the_trail_blazers_we_have_eve.html

LaMarcus Aldridge says he likes what he has seen from the Trail Blazers in the preseason, both in the moves made by management and by the actions of the players on and off the court.

“This team is definitely better than last year,’’ Aldridge said as the Blazers’ near the Dec. 26 season opener against Philadelphia.

“I like this team a lot. We have great chemistry,’’ Aldridge said. “This is a team that is going to get along well, and I feel we are going to win a lot of games, too. We have all the pieces we need: veteran bigs. Jamal (Crawford) coming off the bench as a good sixth man. Shooters in the first lineup. Nic (Batum) coming off the bench. We have everything we need.’’

Is this a veiled slight on Roy?

“It’s crazy, it’s like we have all the same guys. I feel we have guys who want to win,’’ Aldridge said. “There’s no egos. No ‘I need this.’ Everyone just wants to win. And we have a bunch of guys who know their role, who are happy in their role. That’s been hard in the past - we’ve had guys who wanted more, and that can mess up chemistry. But we have guys here who are comfortable in their roles, and that’s huge, because there’s no confusion late in games about what should be happening.’’

 

[RoyToy]

Aldridge is on my shit list after reading that

Fuck him

 

[Draco]

Miller and Roy complained a lot about wanting to start.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

We need more shooters around him. Right now we only have one above average shooter in the first-unit (Wes) and I think that's going to make life harder for LMA in the paint.

I think it's only a matter of time until we get Nic back as the starting SF with his shooting.

 

[Mediocre Man]

We need more shooters around him. Right now we only have one above average shooter in the first-unit (Wes) and I think that's going to make life harder for LMA in the paint.

I think it's only a matter of time until we get Nic back as the starting SF with his shooting.

Totally.

 

[ABM]

We need more shooters around him. Right now we only have one above average shooter in the first-unit (Wes) and I think that's going to make life harder for LMA in the paint.

Isn't Felton supposed to be a FAR better shooter than Miller?

 

[ABM]

ChrisBHaynes Chris Haynes
Camby says LaMarcus is the best PF in the game.

 

[ABM]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ldridge_featured_on_cover_of_trail_blaze.html

LaMarcus Aldridge will be featured on the cover of the Trail Blazers’ 2011-2012 media guide, the first time in 14 years the team has singled out one player for the cover.

In the 42-year history of the franchise, this is the 14th time an individual player has graced the cover, with Clyde Drexler featured three times. The last player to be singled out was Rasheed Wallace who was shown dunking on the 1997-1998 cover.

Aldridge is crouched while dribbling against a black backdrop in the 2011-2012 cover. The honor was not lost on Aldridge, who said he thought back to his rookie season, when he went through a spell when he seldom played. He remembered that during his rookie year he could go to the mall and shop for hours without being recognized.

“It meant a lot,’’ Aldridge said of the honor. “Just because from Day One when I got here, that transition of not playing to being on the cover, it’s kind of surreal. I didn’t ask for it, but they just told me, and I told everybody thanks, bec ause I felt like it was a big honor.’’

 

[HailBlazers]

“It’s crazy, it’s like we have all the same guys. I feel we have guys who want to win,’’ Aldridge said. “There’s no egos. No ‘I need this.’ Everyone just wants to win. And we have a bunch of guys who know their role, who are happy in their role. That’s been hard in the past - we’ve had guys who wanted more, and that can mess up chemistry. But we have guys here who are comfortable in their roles, and that’s huge, because there’s no confusion late in games about what should be happening.’’

Is this a veiled slight on Roy?

Regardless who he's referencing (Rudy, Roy, Miller).. The more important thing is that he's spot on. The 2011-2012 Blazers are the definition of Team. Not one Superstar player, but an All-Star cast. As one unit this is the most well rounded squad we've had in YEARS. Very excited to see what they create together this season.

LaMarcus is The Man, couldn't ask for a better representative for Rip City.

 

[magnifier661]

I actually like that he's bring more vocal. Regardless if it's about Roy, Rudy and/or miller, he isn't afraid to speak his mind. That is being a leader.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

I don't think it is a slight. It is only the truth. Last year with Roy in and out and Miller there were three players who could be the guy at the end of games. Roy and Miller had their problems on the court for two years. I don't think LaMarcus is trying to slight anyone or insult them, he is just noting how this team differs in certain regards.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Isn't what this season comes down to . . . if LA can be the man to lead this team past the first round.

This is why you don't rebuild right now, let's see just how good LA is. Right now was suppose to be the run of Roy, Aldrdige and Oden. Out of the three, all Blazers have left is Aldrdige, but why not take a run and see what you got with one. The Blazers have surrounded him with pieces to be successful, but these pieces aren't going to carry the day. In the end, this team will rise and fall on LA's shoulder. He is 26, has NBA experience under his belt, on the cusp of being an all star and is still growing and hungry.

Blazers are unlikely going to get a superstar to come to Ptd . . . so LA is the closest we got to that. This year should tell us if we are going make a run with LA in the next few years or go a different direction.

Man I hope Aldridge can continue to raise his game and lead this group beyond expectations this year.

 

[ABM]

Man I hope Aldridge can continue to raise his game and lead this group beyond expectations this year.

+1

.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Aldridge is on my shit list after reading that

Fuck him

Funny, that firmly put him on the "Nice" list for me. Hopefully Santa brings him something good.

 

[KingSpeed]

He's on the front page of NBA.com right now and it says "My turn yet?"

As for his comments about selfishness. Rudy, Roy, and Miller all had issues with not getting the ball as much as they wanted. Even if they were fighting for the ability to help the team, Aldridge is saying is that we don't have that anymore and that's a good thing. I agree.

As for Batum starting over Wallace, please. Batum's not half the player Wallace. Remember when Batum got torched by Durant? Later in the season, Wallace shut down Durant and dropped 40 on him. Just appreciate what Batum is. A versatile spark off the bench who, in a few years, will end up starting once Wallace is past his prime and he has raised his game up a couple notches.

 

[ABM]

He's on the front page of NBA.com right now and it says "My turn yet?"

[video]http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2011/12/23/20111222_gt_prev_allstars.nba[/video]

 

[ABM]

As for his comments about selfishness. Rudy, Roy, and Miller all had issues with not getting the ball as much as they wanted. Even if they were fighting for the ability to help the team, Aldridge is saying is that we don't have that anymore and that's a good thing. I agree.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

There has been a lot of early chatter inside the organization that this season's team already has started to form a unique and tight-knit bond. Although the team has been together just two weeks -- less for the three free agent additions -- players say chemistry has been extraordinary.

In fact, Aldridge said it's the best he's seen since the 2007-08 edition of the Blazers, which exceeded expectations by finishing 41-41 thanks to a college-like closeness rarely seen on NBA rosters.

"I would put this team with the team that won 13 in a row," Aldridge said. "I feel like our chemistry is that good. ... (On that team) I feel like everybody liked everybody, everybody was unselfish, everybody knew their role, everybody loved their role. I feel like we're in the same boat as that year. I feel like everybody's coming in working hard. They know their roles and they're going with it. That's big for us."

During a casual conversation on Thursday, Wesley Matthews and Crawford marveled at how close the Blazers are.

"We both agreed that we're both amazed and excited about how quickly we're playing for each other," Matthews said. "A lot of teams, they don't get that chemistry and that gel right away. We're playing for each other right away, which is a good thing."