Slam Top 50: LaMarcus Aldridge, 39

[santeesioux]

Simply put, Aldridge has the tools to be one of the top three power forwards in the next 4-5 years. He’s got range. He can rebound. His post-up game is nice. He can get a shot at-will. The only areas for improvement—defense—are likely to improve as his body matures and he puts some extra pounds on his skinny frame. And even with that said he still averaged just under a block a game and he snatched 7.5 boards a night last year.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/slamonline-top-50/2009/09/top-50-lamarcus-aldridge-no-39/

 

[mook]

Surprised they list rebounding as an asset.

7.5 boards/game is pretty pathetic for a power forward averaging 37 mpg. This team isn't really hurting in the rebounding department, so it's not a big deal. But I wouldn't list it as an asset. They should've mentioned instead that he may be the fastest 6'11 player in the league. They will next year after Miller has a season of rewarding him for sprinting down the court.

I'd like to see him work more on his passing and weak side shot blocking. Our team has excellent rebounding at 3 of the 5 positions now (C, SG, PG) . If Aldridge goes for more blocks, there's still a pretty good chance we get the defensive rebound even with him out of position.

 

[Mediocre Man]

He is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league though

 

[Wheels]

Surprised they list rebounding as an asset.

7.5 boards/game is pretty pathetic for a power forward averaging 37 mpg. This team isn't really hurting in the rebounding department, so it's not a big deal. But I wouldn't list it as an asset. They should've mentioned instead that he may be the fastest 6'11 player in the league. They will next year after Miller has a season of rewarding him for sprinting down the court.

I'd like to see him work more on his passing and weak side shot blocking. Our team has excellent rebounding at 3 of the 5 positions now (C, SG, PG) . If Aldridge goes for more blocks, there's still a pretty good chance we get the defensive rebound even with him out of position.

I'd say that LMA's Offensive Rebounding is a HUGE asset. So while yes 7.5 isnt great for a PF.. I would still agree that his rebounding is an asset though, just not as much on both sides of the glass.

 

[Wheels]

He is one of the best offensive rebounders in the league though

beat me too it. Thats how I feel as well.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

What would his pace adjusted numbers look like? Considering he plays for the slowest paced system in the entire League.

 

[mook]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/stati...2009&seasontype=2&seasontype=2&avg=pg&pos=all

He's in a three-way tie for 9th most offensive rebounds per game at 2.9. But he also logged 37 mpg doing it.

Everyone above him/tied with him plays fewer minutes. Love, Noah and Foster do it in 12 fewer minutes/game. Sure, we play at a slower pace and we have lots of offensive rebounders on the team, but still....

I look down that list and I can admit he's a competent offensive rebounder. But one of the best in the game? That's a stretch.

 

[THE HCP]

What would his pace adjusted numbers look like? Considering he plays for the slowest paced system in the entire League.

Exactly! Beidrins #'s are deceiving, shit, I could get 10 boards a game for G State! He isn't a banger and never will be. Greg will pick up all the loose change while LA is fillin' the lane!

 

[Foulzilla]

I look down that list and I can admit he's a competent offensive rebounder. But one of the best in the game? That's a stretch.

Agreed. As further proof, I'll offer the offensive rebound rate. Aldridge doesn't even make the top 50 (though Oden is #1, and Przybilla is #24).

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/holl...stics?sort=orr&qual=true&pos=all&seasonType=2

Aldridge does a lot of things well, but rebounding is not one of them. Fortunately with the Center tandem currently in place, that's not a real issue.

 

[THE HCP]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/stati...2009&seasontype=2&seasontype=2&avg=pg&pos=all

He's in a three-way tie for 9th most offensive rebounds per game at 2.9. But he also logged 37 mpg doing it.

Everyone above him/tied with him plays fewer minutes. Love, Noah and Foster do it in 12 fewer minutes/game. Sure, we play at a slower pace and we have lots of offensive rebounders on the team, but still....

I look down that list and I can admit he's a competent offensive rebounder. But one of the best in the game? That's a stretch.

Love, Noah and Foster aren't there teams 2nd offensive option though. In Chicago, guys are jackin' up shots from all over the place. All Noah has to do is run to the rim. I'd take LA over any of those guys.

 

[mook]

Love, Noah and Foster aren't there teams 2nd offensive option though. In Chicago, guys are jackin' up shots from all over the place. All Noah has to do is run to the rim. I'd take LA over any of those guys.

I'd take Aldridge too. He's a much higher level of a player.

But if I just needed a guy to get offensive rebounds and nothing else, I'd probably take any of Love, Noah or Foster first.

Many of Aldridge's boards are putbacks of his own missed shots. Which is great--I'm glad he does it. It makes him a more effective scorer.

But unlike those other guys he's not a huge hustle guy who dogs after every board, no matter who is shooting.

 

[BenDavis503]

Cool!! He is getting more respect! He should be top 20 by year end with Miller. I have a feelings Miller and LMA are going to be good buddies.

 

[Mediocre Man]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/stati...2009&seasontype=2&seasontype=2&avg=pg&pos=all

He's in a three-way tie for 9th most offensive rebounds per game at 2.9. But he also logged 37 mpg doing it.

Everyone above him/tied with him plays fewer minutes. Love, Noah and Foster do it in 12 fewer minutes/game. Sure, we play at a slower pace and we have lots of offensive rebounders on the team, but still....

I look down that list and I can admit he's a competent offensive rebounder. But one of the best in the game? That's a stretch.

In the top ten in the entire league at rebounding is being one of the best. He also plays with two of the best rebounders in the league as well. Most of the other guys on that list are their teams primary rebounders.

 

[STOMP]

Surprised they list rebounding as an asset.

7.5 boards/game is pretty pathetic for a power forward averaging 37 mpg. This team isn't really hurting in the rebounding department, so it's not a big deal.

it's a team game. When there is a rebound to be had the goal is for the team, not the individual, is to gather the boards. Since Portland led the league in rebounding differential last year, they are achieving that goal in spades.

Nate generally has LA placed at the top of the key on offense. His high release J pulls an opposing Big out of the paint which makes for offensive rebounding opportunities for teammates but not him. On the other end he often releases/leaks out when the board is assured to take advantage of his great speed... I'm sure thats by design too. Their schemes aren't helping his individual rebounding stats, but again thats not the goal.

STOMP

 

[tim]

Cool!! He is getting more respect! He should be top 20 by year end with Miller. I have a feelings Miller and LMA are going to be good buddies.

Roy is the one that runs that team. Adding a nice, but not fantastic point guard in Miller isn't going to move Aldridge up to a top 20 player in the NBA.

 

[mook]

it's a team game. When there is a rebound to be had the goal is for the team, not the individual, is to gather the boards. Since Portland led the league in rebounding differential last year, they are achieving that goal in spades.

Nate generally has LA placed at the top of the key on offense. His high release J pulls an opposing Big out of the paint which makes for offensive rebounding opportunities for teammates but not him. On the other end he often releases/leaks out when the board is assured to take advantage of his great speed... I'm sure thats by design too. Their schemes aren't helping his individual rebounding stats, but again thats not the goal.

STOMP

Nice post. I can't really disagree with any of that.

I will say, though, that Aldridge reminds me very much of Rasheed in the aspect of rebounding. You can point to circumstance (Sheed played with good rebounders like Ben Wallace, Sabonis, Brian Grant, Randolph, etc) or team play designs, but year after year Sheed always put up pretty meager rebounding numbers, no matter what. At some point you have to acknowledge it was just a flaw in his game.

I think Aldridge probably has a similar flaw too. Just like Sheed, I really don't think he'll average 10-12 boards for an entire season at any stage of his career, regardless of circumstance.

Like I said, though, I don't really mind. I like Aldridge's game and the way he fits in, just like I used to like Wallace.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

it's a team game. When there is a rebound to be had the goal is for the team, not the individual, is to gather the boards. Since Portland led the league in rebounding differential last year, they are achieving that goal in spades.

Nate generally has LA placed at the top of the key on offense. His high release J pulls an opposing Big out of the paint which makes for offensive rebounding opportunities for teammates but not him. On the other end he often releases/leaks out when the board is assured to take advantage of his great speed... I'm sure thats by design too. Their schemes aren't helping his individual rebounding stats, but again thats not the goal.

STOMP

Duckworth was a key cog in a team that was one of the best rebounding teams in the league, even though he didn't average a lot. Ditto with LMA. However, they certainly give different things. Duckworth could block out the whole other team!

 

[STOMP]

Nice post. I can't really disagree with any of that.

I will say, though, that Aldridge reminds me very much of Rasheed in the aspect of rebounding. You can point to circumstance (Sheed played with good rebounders like Ben Wallace, Sabonis, Brian Grant, Randolph, etc) or team play designs, but year after year Sheed always put up pretty meager rebounding numbers, no matter what. At some point you have to acknowledge it was just a flaw in his game.

I think Aldridge probably has a similar flaw too. Just like Sheed, I really don't think he'll average 10-12 boards for an entire season at any stage of his career, regardless of circumstance.

Like I said, though, I don't really mind. I like Aldridge's game and the way he fits in, just like I used to like Wallace.

another parallel between Wallace's days as a Blazer and now Aldridge is my point about team rebounding. While RW's individual rebounding statistics were not Rodman like, the Blazers dominated the boards as a team with a collection of good sized players throughout their lineups.

One key difference between the two is that unlike Sheed, LA has good sized hands enabling him to easily palm the ball. Having huge mitts is often sited as a disadvantage for outside shooting, but it certainly helps for inside post play and rebounding. Not that I'm hoping for circumstances to conspire for an opportunity to prove you wrong on your LA not capable of averaging double digit boards comment, but if he were to find himself on a squad as the primary Big I think he'd stand a pretty good chance. Dude did snare double digit boards 21 times last season...

STOMP

 

[THE HCP]

All-Star in 2 years!

 

[STOMP]

All-Star in 2 years!

if Portland is on their way to the 60+ wins I'm expecting, he'll have a good shot at being named to the AS team in 5 months

STOMP