Question: did Olshey promise LaMarcus not to trade him?

[blue9]

The team should look at decreasing LA's shot attempts per game and ask him to increase his hustle/intensity on the defensive end. If they aren't going to trade him, then they should at least use one of the tallest players with an incredible long wing span to play defense and grab boards.

Agreed. He's proven to be incapable of leading the team to wins by scoring. I would love to see him used as an ancillary player who focuses on defense, rebounding, setting picks, etc. My concern is that he doesn't possess the skills necessary to play the position. Sure - rebounding is largely about desire, but it's also about positioning and timing...neither of which he's displayed. It should be easy to teach him - or anyone - how to set a proper pick, but I just haven't seen him do it...it could stem from his fear of contact. And "hustle" has just never been part of his game. The only thing he has going for him is his length. But he's not coordinated or agile enough to be an "all over the court" player causing havoc for the opposing team. If you watch Hickson cover the P&R on defense, and then watch LMA try it it's like night and day - Hickson jumps the screen to prevent the PG from quickly diving towards the hoop, but then immediately falls back to cover his man who has rolled to the hoop. He's quick, coordinated, knows where to go and when to go there. LMA...if he doesn't just switch and try to guard a PG at the 3-point line, will just barely peek out on the side of the screen and then quickly loses his man and doesn't show any hustle to cover ground. I don't understand why everyone says he's one of the quickest/smoothest bigs in the league - he's kinda slow and very uncoordinated. He looks kinda smooth as he jogs down court...but he also kinda runs like a girl. Maybe he has speed over distance, but he doesn't have acceleration.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

So you're seriously saying Hickson is a better defender than Aldridge?

 

[blue9]

He's better at defending the P&R, yes. And probably overall - though I need to watch Hickson more, and watch him play defense from the PF position, before I come to that conclusion.

I don't have a problem with LMA guarding HIS MAN in the post - he does an adequate job there. But he is one of the worst team-defenders I've ever seen - absolutely clueless there.

 

[Sinobas]

Who cares what he promised. He should see what he can get for LA. LaMarcus 43% outside shooting and marshmellow defense are not helping this team at all.

 

[MARIS61]

A no-trade promise by an NBA GM to a player isn't worth the stained bar napkin it's illegibly scribbled on.