Zach vs. Aldridge

[magnifier661]

Okay, so what Zach has right now is awesome and I am truly proud of him for finally growing up and taking the "Team Concept" more seriously. What I have done is broken down the "5th years" of both players.

LA (5th year = 2010/11 season)

21.8 points / 50% FG / 8.8 rebounds / 1 steal / 1 block

and

Zach (5th year = 2005/06)

18 points / 43.5% FG / 8 rebounds / 0.2 blocks

The only major difference would be Zach played 34.5 minutes to Aldridge's 39.6. But other arguments could be made that the 05/06 team had far less talent on the roster.

So on the brightside, I do think if there was a "Do we deal Zach or keep Aldridge" scenario; I think Brass did make the right choice.

 

[KevinJBonn]

The year differences make it an odd way to compare them, but I guess I see your point. I think getting rid of Z-Bo was the best move for both parties. No more Jail Blazers, and he got to get his act together and because a quality player.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I am pro LMA... he's my favorite player. But if I remember right, Zach was coming off of microfracture that year.

 

[mook]

Sort of. Except that Aldridge is pretty damned effective at center too. He's listed as the same height and weight as Dwight Howard (although to my eyes he seems taller and a few pounds lighter).

It's not necessarily an either/or thing. We could have them both, and they could be pretty complimentary.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

i like high shooting percentages

i really cant wait to see lma in his prime, should be fun!

 

[BlazerCaravan]

i like high shooting percentages

i really cant wait to see lma in his prime, should be fun!

I personally can't wait to see if he can learn any new tricks in the offseason (esp. going to his left or driving the lane from the top of the key), and what Nate can work into the offense now that he has months to think about an LMA-centric offense.

 

[Minstrel]

Aldridge is also a significantly better defender than Randolph.

 

[OneSport3]

I personally can't wait to see if he can learn any new tricks in the offseason (esp. going to his left or driving the lane from the top of the key), and what Nate can work into the offense now that he has months to think about an LMA-centric offense.

Exactly. I'd like to see him when he catches the ball in the post to spin immediately. This is especially effective when a defender is trying to be physical with him and leaning on him hard. It'd be nice to see some sort of drop-step move also.

 

[Sedatedfork]

I think that LMA should learn how to flop. Maybe get a big man flopping coach like Vlade Divac.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think that LMA should learn how to flop. Maybe get a big man flopping coach like Vlade Divac.

We'll hire Dirk once he retires.

 

[KingSpeed]

I am pro LMA... he's my favorite player. But if I remember right, Zach was coming off of microfracture that year.

This. Compare Zach's great season before MF, magnifier.

 

[magnifier661]

This. Compare Zach's great season before MF, magnifier.

Ah yes, forgot about that. Still Aldridge outplayed Zach in his 6th season, and we can take Aldridge's 5th. Hell Maybe we should just compare their 4th seasons, but it wasn't a season Aldridge actually broke out of his shell. Still Aldridge outplayed Zach defensively and FG%, close on the rebounding and scoring too.

Also, take into consideration that Zach had absolutely 0 supporting cast. So with that, more of the scoring and rebounding load would fall on Zach's shoulders.

So basically, I am still happy that we have LMA over Zach. Getting the right value for Zach is definitely an argument though.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

I would much rather have LMA. Hey, Mags...ist that a new pic?

 

[magnifier661]

I would much rather have LMA. Hey, Mags...ist that a new pic?

Yes it is. They were all taken when I flew up to Portland for game 6.

 

[KingSpeed]

mag's girl, mags, PHXBlazer1, and me

 

[DaLincolnJones]

NIce, man, nice..love the pics with King, and Miller as well. hehehe Eric dont even look goofy. Miller looks like he is tryin to escape.

Your little sweetie must be a good cook..hahahaha

I only give you shit in jest, I found out this winter to never buy pants ina larger size than rquired, even if to wear longjohns under them..My ass is like a friggen gold fish and grows to fit what ever the container is.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

mag's girl, mags, PHXBlazer1, and me

Very cool that you guys could hook up, tell me man, why is Mags making that face..

 

[RoyToy]

Ah yes, forgot about that. Still Aldridge outplayed Zach in his 6th season, and we can take Aldridge's 5th. Hell Maybe we should just compare their 4th seasons, but it wasn't a season Aldridge actually broke out of his shell. Still Aldridge outplayed Zach defensively and FG%, close on the rebounding and scoring too.

Also, take into consideration that Zach had absolutely 0 supporting cast. So with that, more of the scoring and rebounding load would fall on Zach's shoulders.

So basically, I am still happy that we have LMA over Zach. Getting the right value for Zach is definitely an argument though.

The value the Blazers got for Randolph is consistent with what the Clippers and Knicks got for him - nothing. All 3 teams got nothing for him because Randolph had no value because his level of play didn't even come close to matching his contract. Combine that with the fact that his contract went passed the magical 2010 FA and that's why no team wanted anything to do with him.

People can argue the team should have gotten more for Zach all they want. Facts and common sense says the Blazers did as well as they possibly could when taking everything into consideration.

 

[Ed O]

Aldridge is a better defender than Zach ever will be, and I'm delighted that he's a Blazer, but Zach is a far better rebounder--especially on the offensive glass, where it's most valuable--and I don't think that there was ever any reason to make it an either/or situation.

Ed O.

 

[KingSpeed]

The value the Blazers got for Randolph is consistent with what the Clippers and Knicks got for him - nothing. All 3 teams got nothing for him because Randolph had no value because his level of play didn't even come close to matching his contract. Combine that with the fact that his contract went passed the magical 2010 FA and that's why no team wanted anything to do with him.

People can argue the team should have gotten more for Zach all they want. Facts and common sense says the Blazers did as well as they possibly could when taking everything into consideration.

The Clippers and Knicks got nothing for him because they are HORRIBLE organizations who were being run by inept GMs. What was our excuse? Ouch is right.

 

[magnifier661]

NIce, man, nice..love the pics with King, and Miller as well. hehehe Eric dont even look goofy. Miller looks like he is tryin to escape.

Your little sweetie must be a good cook..hahahaha

I only give you shit in jest, I found out this winter to never buy pants ina larger size than rquired, even if to wear longjohns under them..My ass is like a friggen gold fish and grows to fit what ever the container is.

Hahahahaha yes I gained some weight! But hey man, I'm getting up there in age now. 38 and I have a very salt and pepper hairstyle. I think it's time for me to be more "low key" and focus on the things I truly love.

Funny that you said that with Miller. He was basically studying a thick group of papers with one of the assistant coaches. I really didn't want to ask him. Never been one to ask for autographs or anything. But I had my camera out and was telling him I flew from L.A. to watch the game. I kinda looked at the camera then at him and he said "Hey man you want to take a picture or something?" Of course I didn't refuse, but was nervous as hell. So it was more me, fumbling and really not wanting him to feel like I was taking his important time away from studying.

But the really weird thing was he said he lived there, when I asked what the hell is he doing in a Residence Inn Marriott? Later a security guard said he's been living here since he joined the Blazers.

 

[RoyToy]

The Clippers and Knicks got nothing for him because they are HORRIBLE organizations who were being run by inept GMs. What was our excuse? Ouch is right.

You couldn't be any more wrong, but that's OK. I know you're no more than a gimmick, so I can look right past you.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Lives there, huh..could be he does not want to saddled with a property that he may have to sell in a down market. I dunno, it is strange. You know most guys from the west coast are used to room to stretch out and a bit of peace and quiet. Got a friend in NY that cant sleep without noise. Too much space freaks him out.

I would have to think that a condo would be better, but he probably gets treated well, has room service, close stuff to do, never has to make his bed or clean up a room. Is the bar any good there?

 

[magnifier661]

Lives there, huh..could be he does not want to saddled with a property that he may have to sell in a down market. I dunno, it is strange. You know most guys from the west coast are used to room to stretch out and a bit of peace and quiet. Got a friend in NY that cant sleep without noise. Too much space freaks him out.

I would have to think that a condo would be better, but he probably gets treated well, has room service, close stuff to do, never has to make his bed or clean up a room. Is the bar any good there?

That's the thing. No room service and no bar. Free breakfast in the morning, but you have to go to the floor to get it. It has a kitchen and fridge.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Starting this thread feels a whole lot like you're trying to rationalize something magnifier.

 

[magnifier661]

Starting this thread feels a whole lot like you're trying to rationalize something magnifier.

You nailed it 100%. I'm not too fond of the "I told you so" shit that people are saying about Zach. I think it was a good idea at the time. I think Aldridge will eventually be just as good, if not better than Zach after 8 years in the league.

 

[PapaG]

Aldridge is a better defender than Zach ever will be, and I'm delighted that he's a Blazer, but Zach is a far better rebounder--especially on the offensive glass, where it's most valuable--and I don't think that there was ever any reason to make it an either/or situation.
Ed O.

It was, though, because Oden was supposed to be the primary rebounder. Plus, even in his limited time, Oden is a better offensive rebounder than Randolph in both % and per/36. Add in Oden's defense, and an either/or case could be made at the time, considering Zach's huge contract and injury history.

 

[KingSpeed]

You nailed it 100%. I'm not too fond of the "I told you so" shit that people are saying about Zach. I think it was a good idea at the time. I think Aldridge will eventually be just as good, if not better than Zach after 8 years in the league.

We could've had both.

 

[magnifier661]

We could've had both.

If we didn't get Oden, we would have had both. If we got the 2nd pick instead of 1st; we would have had Durant, Roy, Aldridge, Zach and probably Miller for the most part. Hell give me Blanky too.

Fact is, we picked Oden and unfortunately our luck didn't pan out with him yet. There is no way, you bring Aldridge off the bench nor Zach. So because we got Oden, we traded Zach.