Reggie Miller: Aldridge better than Love or Howard

[PtldPlatypus]

On Dan Patrick show just now, Dan asks Reggie if he would take Love or Howard to start a team right now. Reggie says he would take Love in today's game, but would have taken Howard during the time when he played. Then Dan asks if Love is a top 10, even top 5 player in the league. Miller says top 10, but can't be top 5 because he's not the best player at his position--that would be Lamarcus Aldridge, who he'd take over both Love or Howard. Dan is shocked ("You would?!"). Miller elaborates, explaining how Aldridge has both an effective back to the basket game and a strong face up game, something Love can't boast. Dan still attempts to argue for StatLove, citing superior scoring and rebounding numbers, but Reggie quickly shuts him down, pointing out that Aldridge's versatility will serve him well in the playoffs.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Reggie called LA's 30/25 game, if I recall. I can imagine he has a high option of him.

 

[Draco]

Do they have podcasts of the show?

 

[magnifier661]

Reggie called LA's 30/25 game, if I recall. I can imagine he has a high option of him.

And it's the way Aldridge gets his. There is nothing forced and can hit you from anywhere on the court. Teams don't have to double Love and most the time, Love is getting his with various picks to get him open. He plays like a SG offensively, not a PF. There is probably 10% of his points are coming from ISO plays.

Love is a tremendous defensive rebounder, but I wonder if his lack of defense has that "Hickson-like" type rebounding; leaving his man without a defend and working towards getting to rebounding position.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Heard that this morning. Good stuff!
Very happy that Reggie is back as being a regular guest on the DP Show!

Podcasts:
http://www.danpatrick.com/

 

[BrianFromWA]

I don't see how Howard's in the equation.

LMA vs. Love is an argument on style. If you want a versatile big who can make a shot from everywhere on the floor (except the 3pt line) and you want the "historical" big man, LMA's the man. If you want to build an offense around your best player's strengths, regardless of what they are, there's an argument to be made that Love would probably be the one.

And it is really almost all about offense, because while Love's D sucks, it's not as if anyone is saying LMA's the next coming of Bill Russell.

 

[BrianFromWA]

And it's the way Aldridge gets his. There is nothing forced and can hit you from anywhere on the court.

Except the 3pt line.

Teams don't have to double Love

It's pretty tough to assign 2 guys to double a 3pt shooter, not because they don't think he can't drop 45 on them.

Someone with some coaching experience let me know--is it that tough to teach a big guy who's a good shooter some post moves? Or is Love basically what LMA was the last 2 years, someone who can go inside but doesn't want to/coach plans for him not to?

 

[magnifier661]

Except the 3pt line. Teams don't have to double Love. It's pretty tough to assign 2 guys to double a 3pt shooter, not because they don't think he can't drop 45 on them.

Someone with some coaching experince let me know--is it that tough to teach a big guy who's a good shooter some post moves? Or is Love basically what LMA was the last 2 years, someone who can go inside but doesn't want to/coach plans for him not to?

I think Love has the ability to be a post presence. Anyone that can beast on the boards, has the ability to use footwork. Also, Love seems like a smart guy, so teaching him shouldn't be a problem. The main issue is defense. He is absolutely horrible. I'm even thinking he's worse than Hickson was. The guy doesn't give a rats ass about defending his man, so he can get position to grab the rebound. Smart coaches will be able to exploit this by running double screens and his man will always be in a position to score.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

LaMarcus has great range and touch. I wouldnt be shocked if he could easily develop a solid 3 pt shot.

 

[OregonHuskerMan]

LMA already has a 3pt shot. He just doesn't take it, ever. I guess he draws his line at turnaround fadeaways

 

[Mediocre Man]

Best and smartest analyst in any sport

 

[Draco]

What hour and time is this interview at? I'm hopeless, I went through the podcast and can't find it.

 

[Natebishop3]

Best and smartest analyst in any sport

Reggie is?

 

[Pritchslap Madness]

Reggie is best analyst when he give props to Blazer players.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Third hour, 22 minutes in

 

[Natebishop3]

Reggie is best analyst when he give props to Blazer players.

It is known.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Transcription: (DP: Dan Patrick Reggie: Reggie Miller)

http://www.danpatrick.com/2013/12/23/reggie-miller-would-start-team-with-k-love-over-howard/

The question: Who would you start a team with, Kevin Love or Dwight Howard?

DP: Is Kevin Love op 10 play? Top 5 player?

Reggie: I would with go top 10. He can’t be top 5 because he’s not the top PF in the game right now. That would be LaMarcus Aldridge. I would take LaMarcus Aldridge over both of them.

DP: You WOULD?

Reggie: Absolutely.

DP: (audible groan)

Reggie: Because here’s the thing, LaMarcus Aldridge gives you, not only a great back to the basket game, but can face you as well. Now Love, we know how he shoots threes, and he can face. His back to the basket game is not nearly as sophisticated as LaMarcus Aldridge. LaMarcus Aldridge can rebound just as well as Dwight Howard and Kevin Love, and he pass the ball just as well. So, I would go with LaMarcus Aldridge over both of them.

DP: I would go with KLove because he out scores him and out rebound him. [DP sounded defensive, snide, and know-it-all-ish when making this statement.]

Uh, and I think Aldridge is very good – very good. But…

Reggie: You need, you need to have - Here’s the thing, come playoff time, let’s say both Minnesota and Portland, I assume they’re both gonna make the Western Conference playoffs. When the game slows down, you gotta be able to throw the ball down to someone. And my first option is gonna to be LaMarcus Aldridge. They’re gonna take all those jump shots away from Kevin Love come playoff time.

DP: (Changed convo back to Howard.)

Players know plays. LeBron, R. Miller, Kerr... any player who's being honest will tell you the same thing. LaMarcus Aldrige is the best PF in the game of basketball right now. The only reason he's getting more respect this season is because Portland is winning. Stat Homers will take Love, and that's ok with me. I'll go with the proven winner.

Which bring up the question, if Skip Bayless can be so high on a guy like Tim Tebow because "All he does is win", where is his love for Adridge? Adridge has more skill at his craft in his pinky than Tebow has in his entire body. Oh well.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Fundamentally, he is better than Howard. He is a better athlete than Love, so if you are taken into consideration athleticism he may squeak by Love. Love is the better fundamentally though. But LA isn't that far behind.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Reggie is best analyst when he give props to Blazer players.

When he actually watches the players he is commenting on.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Fundamentally, he is better than Howard. He is a better athlete than Love, so if you are taken into consideration athleticism he may squeak by Love. Love is the better fundamentally though. But LA isn't that far behind.

Too many pronouns. Love is more fundamental than LA? No.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Too many pronouns. Love is more fundamental than LA? No.

Skill by skill if you are looking at it, other than running the court, He is just as good if not better.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Skill by skill if you are looking at it, other than running the court, He is just as good if not better.

I am looking at it, and would question your understanding of fundamentals. Love it clearly not better. A power forward [Love] with an inferior back to the basket game speaks for its self.

 

[Draco]

They are two of the best players in the game. Either one can be a PF on a title team. Can either one of them lead a team deep in the playoffs? That remains to be seen. It might end up being Damian who is the best player on the team if the Blazers are going to be more than a feel good regular season story.

I think Aldridge's big advantage is his length, he is taller than Love which allows him to shoot over defenders and guard taller big men. Both have issues defensively but a small edge goes to Aldridge. Love is slightly more skilled shooting the ball, rebounding, and passing. I do have to say it is amazing what Love has got out of his body, he was fat in highschool when he played for the Lakers but his conditioning, diet and work ethic has maximized his physical potential in the NBA.