When will people accept that Aldridge is our center?

[Rastapopoulos]

Everybody keeps acting like Meyers Leonard is going to be our center. Yeah - maybe in five years if we're lucky. If he plays more than 15 mpg and/or averages more than 5 points and 4 rebounds then I will eat my hat. (Or somebody else's, because I don't actually have one.)

Furthermore, neither Freeland nor Hickson is tall enough or suited to play center, at least in the NBA. So who does that leave? Answer: LaMarcus Aldridge. He has a wingspan that's 3 inches longer than Joakim Noah, 1.75" more than Meyers Leonard and half an inch more than Greg Oden. He can handle just about anybody except maybe Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum, but that makes him possibly the third best center in the league. Sure he doesn't want to call himself a center, but that's because he's a Trail Blazer and people don't like to live on the thirteenth floor either. Tim Duncan has been pretending he's not a center since David Robinson retired (and even before then, most people argue that Robinson played PF in that pairing) but do you really think Matt Bonner was the Spurs' center?

So let's stop pretending. As soon as Indy matched Hibbert's offer sheet, the die was cast.

(Side note: I've seen people cite stats that compare Aldridge playing C vs. Aldridge playing PF. Where can you find such things, and what are they?)

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Center? The way he never likes to bang down low and battle for rebounds I thought he was a really big small forward.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Center? The way he never likes to bang down low and battle for rebounds I thought he was a really big small forward.

You do what you need to where the coach puts you. Was Rik Smits not a center? Is Brook Lopez not a center?

And I don't know what you've been watching, but Aldridge posts about as often as anyone in the league.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

[video=youtube;Q55Pc4K815g]

 

[SlyPokerDog]

You do what you need to where the coach puts you. Was Rik Smits not a center? Is Brook Lopez not a center?

And I don't know what you've been watching, but Aldridge posts about as often as anyone in the league.

Easy cowboy, I was just kidding around. I've read more than one post/thread/rant saying how soft LMA is. Just having some fun with you.

If you want a serious reply to your rant I think you need to look beyond height and arm length to determine a player's best position. Skill set and just plain attitude play into it. When Rasheed and Ben Wallace played together Ben had shorter arms, shorter legs and a shorter body but he was the center on that team. Did Rasheed sometimes cover bigger players? Sure. But he was the power forward.

IMO, LMA's best position is PF. That's what he wants to play, that's where were going to get the best results out of him. It's the position that best takes advantage of the skill set he has.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Maybe positions are overrated anyway. So long as your two bigs can coexist it doesn't really matter who you call what. Pau Gasol is a center when he needs to be and a PF when he needs to be that. I see Aldridge as similarly versatile. The question is, do we need to play somebody next to Aldridge to cover the team's center? And, unless the team is playing LA or Philly, I don't think we do.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Maybe positions are overrated anyway. So long as your two bigs can coexist it doesn't really matter who you call what. Pau Gasol is a center when he needs to be and a PF when he needs to be that. I see Aldridge as similarly versatile. The question is, do we need to play somebody next to Aldridge to cover the team's center? And, unless the team is playing LA or Philly, I don't think we do.

It's going to be interesting to see what Stotts does with LMA.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

(Side note: I've seen people cite stats that compare Aldridge playing C vs. Aldridge playing PF. Where can you find such things, and what are they?)

This may be what you're talking about (Production by Position a little more than halfway down the page), but it shows that he's better as a PF.

 

[Pinwheel1]

We can not afford to have LA in foul trouble. We need him on the floor. So I am in favor of playing him the most minutes at what ever position the opposing team has the weakest scorer, C or PF. Usually one of them sucks on the offensive end.

But I agree I hope JJ works out enough that he and LA are on the floor at the same time. Meaning LA at center.

 

[tlongII]

He's definitely not a center. Leonard will be the starting 5 before mid-season.

 

[Blazinaway]

when will you accept LMA is an all star PF and not a C? "Can" he play there? yes but it's a bad idea for more than minor minutes

 

[PapaG]

Stupid thread. Meyers Leonard was drafted to be the starting center for the Blazers next year, if not this year.

 

[HailBlazers]

...When Tim Duncan, Dirk, and KG are considered C's

 

[Natebishop3]

I've said it before, but who cares what "position" he plays? Play Freeland or Hickson at "center" and Aldridge at "power forward". Just as long as you have a good inside presence, it doesn't matter who plays what.

 

[MARIS61]

Meyers Leonard is already a far better center than Aldridge could ever be.

 

[HailBlazers]

Meyers Leonard is already a far better center than Aldridge could ever be.

whoa there cowboy

 

[KingSpeed]

What matters to me is that we get an offensive minded center to start with Aldridge. That way, the opposing team's center has to guard that guy instead of Aldridge. Aldridge can feast on the other PFs in the league, but it sucks when he has to be guarded by Tyson Chandler etc because there's no one at center to worry about. Playing with offensive zeroes like Camby and Joel has been hard on Aldridge. I hope Leonard is the answer.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

What matters to me is that we get an offensive minded center to start with Aldridge. That way, the opposing team's center has to guard that guy instead of Aldridge. Aldridge can feast on the other PFs in the league, but it sucks when he has to be guarded by Tyson Chandler etc because there's no one at center to worry about. Playing with offensive zeroes like Camby and Joel has been hard on Aldridge. I hope Leonard is the answer.

Excellent point, although I think it's fair to say that even if we have an offensive minded center, Aldridge will still be the team's superior post presence offensively, and will draw the toughest defender anyway. With his length, skill, and array of moves, he's already arguably the toughest post cover in the league.

 

[STOMP]

Excellent point, although I think it's fair to say that even if we have an offensive minded center, Aldridge will still be the team's superior post presence offensively, and will draw the toughest defender anyway. With his length, skill, and array of moves, he's already arguably the toughest post cover in the league.

yup, Aldridge is very good on the high post and probably even better on the low block. Where he plays on O is often tied to the abilities of who he's playing with. I'd rather he isn't the primary Big guarding the low block though as he seems like he can get worn down guarding an active even bigger player. It seems who's primarily guarding the low block is usually defined as the 5 but for the most part those two positions are pretty interchangeable in their responsibilities.

STOMP

 

[Mediocre Man]

Maybe when Aldridge himself does?

 

[Blazer4ever]

Our only real center is Leonard. Aldridge is a PF like Hickson and Freeland

 

[Rastapopoulos]

He's definitely not a center. Leonard will be the starting 5 before mid-season.

Tanking starting that early?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

What matters to me is that we get an offensive minded center to start with Aldridge. That way, the opposing team's center has to guard that guy instead of Aldridge.

That would be great. But given that that isn't likely to happen any time soon...

it sucks when he has to be guarded by Tyson Chandler etc because there's no one at center to worry about.

True. But how many teams (besides the Lakers) have offensive threats at both post positions? Conversely, who is the "etc"? I'll give you Dwight Howard, but most centers who are good at defending centers will be too slow or too short for Aldridge. His versatility is a nightmare for most post defenders.

Playing with offensive zeroes like Camby and Joel has been hard on Aldridge. I hope Leonard is the answer.

Fair point, but on the other hand, both Camby and Joel have been fantastic rebounders and have helped him in other ways. Camby fed the post from the top of the key like no other center and I bet LaMarcus liked having a guy who would threaten people on the other team that he would "fuck them up" if they "met him after".

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Meyers Leonard is already a far better center than Aldridge could ever be.

Presumably you're referring to the Rugby position.

 

[crandc]

Wrong question. MM got closest to correct (stopped clocks and all). It does not matter in the least what we on this board think. If Aldridge can play like a center and if the coaches play him like a center he is one. If the coaches and Aldridge agree he's a forward, he is. Not our call. To date they have played Aldridge as a forward, with sporadic center duty in "small lineup". That could change but the change does not depend on what posters on a board "accept" or don't accept.

 

[BBert]

One of the great things about LaMarcus is that whoever they have guard him, whether it be a forward or center, he can adjust his offense to take advantage. On the other end is where it matters. When he's guarding their center, he's a center. Else, he's a PF. I'd prefer to pair him with a strong defensive post player and rebounder and let that person man up the center position. I'm not sure we have that player yet. I am optimistic that Leonard and maybe Freeland will be that guy, later if not sooner. Otherwise, it's just too much wear and tear on Aldridge.

 

[HailBlazers]

On the other end is where it matters. When he's guarding their center, he's a center. Else, he's a PF. I'd prefer to pair him with a strong defensive post player and rebounder and let that person man up the center position. Otherwise, it's just too much wear and tear on Aldridge.

Bingo.

LMA needs to save energy on D, so he can be the man on O. Really want to see LaMarcus get to the line more this year.

 

[mook]

Tanking starting that early?

I still favor Hickson starting, but after seeing Leonard in SL I kind of lean toward throwing Leonard into the deep end on day one. He's an aggressive finisher on the pick and roll and he showed me he had decent hands. Centers with any real skill will abuse him, but luckily there aren't that many in the league. Before playing a single NBA game he's already a better offensive player than Przybilla ever was.

He'll probably foul out before getting to 25 minutes on many nights, but that's life on a team that isn't supposed to be in the playoffs. He'll learn.

Like I've said, though, the non-Aldrdige big man position (call it whatever you want) is the only one completely up for grabs heading into preseason. Freeland, Hickson and Leonard all have a chance to win that spot.

With Stotts saying that this team is going to focus on tempo and three pointers, and his rep for focusing on offense, I suspect he's going to want his best offensive players in the starting lineup. That, plus his experience in the NBA and his nice performance at the end of last season, tells me Hickson is the early front runner.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

With Stotts saying that this team is going to focus on tempo and three pointers, and his rep for focusing on offense, I suspect he's going to want his best offensive players in the starting lineup. That, plus his experience in the NBA and his nice performance at the end of last season, tells me Hickson is the early front runner.

Agreed. Which means that, as I said, Aldridge is our (starting) center.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

We can not afford to have LA in foul trouble. We need him on the floor. So I am in favor of playing him the most minutes at what ever position the opposing team has the weakest scorer, C or PF. Usually one of them sucks on the offensive end.

But I agree I hope JJ works out enough that he and LA are on the floor at the same time. Meaning LA at center.

This.