Rumor Rumor Thread pre-draft

[Natebishop3]

Your argument that making the first team defensive team indicates whether a guy is a good help defender is what doesn't hold water.

Wish I had more time to discuss this, but work is calling.

My point is that the argument that his offensive load prevents him from being a quality defender doesn't hold water. There are a number of really good offensive players who have done so well that they have been recognized for their defense.

 

[blue9]

Which is part of his problem. If he didn't get the ball and then dribble four times and let the Defense adjust, he wouldn't have to put as much effort into shooting jump shots as he does. Its a huge complaint that most have on this board against LMA, even his fans like me. LMA's biggest weakness is not being assertive enough. When is he going to do the one dribble drop a shoulder and take two steps to the hoop and dunk it?
He plays soft on D and plays soft in the post.
I love the guy and don't want to see him leave, but if he stays, in order to win, he needs to be more aggressive and quick with his decision making. Not sit and wait till the defense comes because he isn't a good passer to find the open guy.

I find it interesting that we both assess LMA the same way, yet you like him and I don't!
Just an observation - not a judgement at all. Like who you wanna like!

 

[magnifier661]

My point is that the argument that his offensive load prevents him from being a quality defender doesn't hold water. There are a number of really good offensive players who have done so well that they have been recognized for their defense.

But that's not the argument. A quality defender can be someone that is really good at one on one defense. All NBA first team defense isn't the "end all" indicator of being a quality defender.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Why? If your assumption is that this would be to clear as much cap room as possible, then we wouldn't want ANY picks this year - we'd trade for future picks.

No, that wasn't my assumption, but if you are questioning my reasoning, well so am I. I was just thinking we probably would want one new blood each year but this year we probably wouldn't want more than one since we are not rebuilding.

 

[Natebishop3]

But that's not the argument. A quality defender can be someone that is really good at one on one defense. All NBA first team defense isn't the "end all" indicator of being a quality defender.

Yes, that is the argument. You even agreed with me. He's a good defender, but not a great one. He has the tools to be much better at defense. Someone countered that it's his offensive load that prevents him from reaching his potential and I showed other players with possibly an even greater offensive load who have reached first team defense.

 

[B-Roy]

Love is a 7 yr vet. Aldridge is a 9 yr vet. The max for a 7-9 yr vet is 30% of the CAP (about $20,130,000).
Some other potential PF/C free agent targets:
- Greg Monroe, 5 yr vet. (25% of CAP max, about $16,775,000)
- DeAndre Jordan, 7 yr vet. (30% of CAP max)
- Brook Lopez, 7 yr vet (30% of CAP max)
- Roy Hibbert, 7 yr vet (30% of CAP max)
- Paul Millsap, 9 yr vet (30% of CAP max)
- Tyson Chandler, 14 yr vet (35% of CAP max)

My guess is the Blazers go after Greg Monroe and try to keep LaMarcus. They could free up about $17.5M by renouncing Matthews, Lopez, Wright, Freeland, Gee, Frazier, Afflalo, Kaman, and our MLE. Just enough to grab a max 0-6 yr vet, but not enough to get a 7+ yr vet.

Interesting proposition, but our team would literally be like 8 players and a bunch of vet mins.

 

[magnifier661]

Yes, that is the argument. You even agreed with me. He's a good defender, but not a great one. He has the tools to be much better at defense. Someone countered that it's his offensive load that prevents him from reaching his potential and I showed other players with possibly an even greater offensive load who have reached first team defense.

A quality defender is a good defender. All defense are the great defenders. There are only 15 of them of hundreds of players.

 

[blue9]

But that's not the argument. A quality defender can be someone that is really good at one on one defense. All NBA first team defense isn't the "end all" indicator of being a quality defender.

Being a good team defender is more important than being a good man-defender. Relying on each individual player to guard their own man is a recipe for disaster. A team that plays average man-defense but exceptional team-defense will beat out a team that doesn't play good team defense even if they have great individual defenders.
LMA's man-defense isn't nearly good enough to make up for the fact that he doesn't play team defense. Until he plays team defense he'll never be a good defender.

 

[magnifier661]

Being a good team defender is more important than being a good man-defender. Relying on each individual player to guard their own man is a recipe for disaster. A team that plays average man-defense but exceptional team-defense will beat out a team that doesn't play good team defense even if they have great individual defenders.
LMA's man-defense isn't nearly good enough to make up for the fact that he doesn't play team defense. Until he plays team defense he'll never be a good defender.

Well your definition of good is against the grain of the real definition of good. I guess we can agree to disagree then. Aldridge's defensive win shares is an indicator of team defense. He was one of the best on the team.

 

[blue9]

Well your definition of good is against the grain of the real definition of good. I guess we can agree to disagree then. Aldridge's defensive win shares is an indicator of team defense. He was one of the best on the team.

Then that stat is flawed, because it's not just that he's BAD at team defense, he simply doesn't play any.
Back when Zbo was a bad defender in Portland, he at least put SOME effort into sliding on help defense. He wasn't good at it, but he'd slide and then let the guy go around him. LMA doesn't even slide.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I find it interesting that we both assess LMA the same way, yet you like him and I don't!
Just an observation - not a judgement at all. Like who you wanna like!

To each their own.

I don't see anyone else who we could get in that position that would make this team better. For that reason alone I like him and want to keep him. With that said, is he franchise? HELL NO!

I also like him because he is a quiet personality, not a loudmouth like some people in his star caliber.
Someone said he isn't dumb like Travis Outlaw, but he is on the lower end....hmmm I question that. Right off the bat, he is playing his free agency very intelligently.
BBIQ and intelligence are two different things I suppose though, because I do agree he is not very bright when caught in a double team...

 

[magnifier661]

Then that stat is flawed, because it's not just that he's BAD at team defense, he simply doesn't play any.
Back when Zbo was a bad defender in Portland, he at least put SOME effort into sliding on help defense. He wasn't good at it, but he'd slide and then let the guy go around him. LMA doesn't even slide.

I've read so many game threads where you didn't even watch the games. weird how you claim you see this since the box score won't tell you.

 

[Schilly]

Defensive ratings... take em for what they are worth... Career

Love: 106
Aldridge: 106

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Can we just call it how it is? Aldridge is a good one on one defender when the team absolutely needs him to be. Other than that he relies on whomever is at the 5 spot to to the dirty work, then he grabs the rebound. We rarely see LA coming over for a help side block (it does happen but it is rare).

He does take a lot of shots but his workload is minimal, he can always be found on the left high post or baseline. Not much movement.

He isn't a bad player, he just isn't great.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Can we just call it how it is? Aldridge is a good one on one defender when the team absolutely needs him to be. Other than that he relies on whomever is at the 5 spot to to the dirty work, then he grabs the rebound. We rarely see LA coming over for a help side block (it does happen but it is rare).

He does take a lot of shots but his workload is minimal, he can always be found on the left high post or baseline. Not much movement.

He isn't a bad player, he just isn't great.

If he lands in SA and plays under Pop that will all eventually change. He will become a very good if not great team defender.

The important thing is he has it in him. He just doesn't execute.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

If he lands in SA and plays under Pop that will all eventually change. He will become a very good if not great team defender.

He'd have to be.

Which is why I think San Antonio is not a real destination anymore. I think he is looking for the most power+location+money. It's really only us and Dallas.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

He'd have to be.

Which is why I think San Antonio is not a real destination anymore. I think he is looking for the most power+location+money. It's really only us and Dallas.

But you're starting to see movement that direction by SA with them putting Splitter on the block.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

But you're starting to see movement that direction by SA with them putting Splitter on the block.

Yeah, he is on the block but that doesn't mean anything will happen. Hell, they might be moving him to make room for green and kawhi contracts. Who knows? The Spurs are not a readable team.

 

[riverman]

Some 1st team all defensive players got there because of the team clicking and staying in position and having a great defensive coach. LA was smothered most of the time and whether folks believe it or not. That tires a guy out. I think Lamarcus is a 2 way player and a decent defender. What I think LA could improve on the most is passing out of trouble. Sabonis was a great passer. LA was more vocal on defense this season than he's ever been from what I saw. Until we find out what LA decides to do there'll be as usual..days of panic attacks about how it impacts the organization. I think he'll take the big bucks and stay. If he or Wes want a change of scenery it seems in the eastern conference they'd be not only allstars but 1st team candidates. The west is tough to make your brand known in.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

No.

As far as LA's team D. I think a lot of what he does hinges on what his teammates are willing and able to do on that end. If he his team isn't buying in or doesn't think they have their buy in. Why should he? He's not a vocal leader or even lead by example to get it out of them.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Phew!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Phew!

I don't buy it. Does Cleveland really want to give him the max? Or do they want more flexibility? He just does not fit with Kyrie and LBJ. One of them yes but not both. Not enough balls.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I don't buy it. Does Cleveland really want to give him the max? Or do they want more flexibility? He just does not fit with Kyrie and LBJ. One of them yes but not both. Not enough balls.

That can be read several ways. But one thing Love is not, is ball dominant. Love hurts their defense, but not their offense. He makes everything on offense easier by stretching the D. If they'd've had him to play instead of Mozgov when the Warriors went smallball the Cavs would've been a lot better off.

I think the real problem is Kyrie.

 

[illmatic99]

BATUM TRADE!!!!!

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Batum to Charlotte!!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Lest we forget:

 

[Natebishop3]

BATUM TRADE!!!!!

Care to expand?

 

[magnifier661]

I remember I was laughed at when I said Aldridge can average 20/10. Many of the arguments were he just doesn't have the skills to be a good rebounder. What I see are fans that are overly critical of their own players, while drooling over other team's players.

Each and every year Aldridge has improved. He works hard and never stops. The grass is not greener and you will know once he's gone

 

[illmatic99]

Care to expand?

See main page

 

[magnifier661]

Wtf?!?!