Freeman Update

by Dave on Nov 4, 2008 10:37 AM PST

Joe Freeman has the Oregonian update here. The featured item is Lamarcus Aldridge bringing more aggressiveness. My thought: that's exactly what is needed...the next step being realizing that aggressiveness involves much more than offense.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Too true.

LaMarcus needs some FIRE

Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Nov 4, 2008 10:41 AM PST reply actions

It was good to see LMA giving an elbow to Amare when he

was pushing him around.

WE just need time and when we come online……WATCH OUT!!

The season is here.

by SpyderRyder on Nov 4, 2008 10:55 AM PST reply actions

I have a different view of "aggressiveness" ...

I’ve seen when LaMarcus is aggressive, and he’s very effective, but he tends to only be aggressive in spurts, primarily at the start of Quarters. His natural tendency seems to be to drift farther away from the basket over time. LaMarcus might open the game by making a 5 ft jump hook in the lane, but when’s the last time you can remember the Blazers going to LaMarcus in the post late in the 4th Quarter ? It never happens !!!

One of the best compliments that I’ve heard about Brandon is that he doesn’t let an opponent take him away from his game. Brandon gets to HIS spot on the floor and takes HIS shot, but he’s good enough that it doesn’t result in him taking a forced shot.

LaMarcus does not impose his will. LaMarcus has a tendency to take what the defense gives him, and the defense would rather give him a 20 ft jump shot, as opposed to a jump hook from 5 ft in the lane.

A more “agressive” LaMarcus would impose his will and be able to get HIS shot, which would hopefully be a higher percentage shot, with a chance at an “And1”.

LaMarcus can be aggressive, but LaMarcus often does not choose to be aggressive.

An agressive LaMarcus will be an All-Star this year, but a LaMarcus who doesn’t impose his will, won’t ….

Phil

by Philski on Nov 4, 2008 10:58 AM PST reply actions

well said.

one of the biggest things is that LMA doesn’t go inside enough. I guess I just don’t like Webber type PFs. I like people like Malone, Barkley, Duncan, and especially Sheed (earlier PDX years) who try to beat you down low. I’d like to see him work A LOT on his back-to-the-basket game and move on from there. Its great that he can hit 14 footers but we have a bunch of guys who are paid to shoot jumpers. Someone who is 7 feet tall should establish himself down low. That’s how you impose your will.

by nima on Nov 4, 2008 11:32 AM PST up reply actions

wait a minute

LMA’s shot is the outside shot. He may be 6’ 11", but he is soft. His shot is the outside shot. Everyone else is trying to force him down on the block so he can be a superstar. He’s not a beast down there and is only adequate. At best we can hope for average in the post, but it can be deadly to have a power forward who can shoot outside. If only Oden were present, we might actually see it.

by Sonic Boom on Nov 4, 2008 12:17 PM PST up reply actions

yea but

if he stays on the perimeter that is where they are going to pick him up, and then he can take it to the hoop. Or conversely if he starts in the post he can jump out for the open look. Also LA is stronger than some PF’s in the league, and a post basket is much more likely to go in then a jumper, so in those situations we would want him playing a strong post position. Furthermore he can’t help rebounding if he is coming from the perimeter, if he plays in the post he can set himself in good position for the offensive rebound, which I think he has done a lot better this season than previous seasons, and the put-backs.

Developing an aggressive low post game will help him get more open shots on the perimeter, and give him the weapons to be as effective as possible on this team.

Jaws were hitting the floor as Greg repeatedly attempted to tear the rim off the backboard...

by TheOdenator on Nov 4, 2008 12:37 PM PST up reply actions

LMA is not a great midrange shooter

He shoots eFG 41.4% on jump shots.

Tim Duncan – eFG 37.5%
Zach Randolph – eFG 38.9%
Bosh – eFG 41.4%
LMA – eFG 41.5%
Bargnani – eFG 43.1%
Travis Outlaw – eFG 43.2%
David West – eFG 43.4%
Joe Smith – eFG 43.5%
Carlos Boozer – eFG 44.7%
Pau Gasol – eFG 45.3%
Channing Frye – eFG 45.4%
Rasheed Wallace – eFG 46.8%
Garnett – eFG 47.2%
Nowitzki – eFG 49.7%

*source – 82games.com

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Nov 4, 2008 1:30 PM PST up reply actions

He's better inside than outside

in my opinion.

by Falcao on Nov 4, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions

The thing is...

they’re using aggressive to mean that he’s focusing on taking shots and being active on offense.

They’re not saying he’s being aggressive by taking the ball on the low block and attacking the rim.

I think most people are hopeful that he can nurture this part of his game, I know that I would. I wouldn’t necessarily like to see him be more aggressive if that means he just shoots more outside jumpers.

"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Nov 4, 2008 11:33 AM PST reply actions

Last year

there was talk about alridge watching game film and realizing that attacking the basket was a good thing.

It’s a new year and we’re still talking about it. After this year I’m writing off any hope I have of aldridge attacking the basket.

We haven't done anything yet... but don't blink.

by ratbastird on Nov 4, 2008 12:14 PM PST reply actions

Agressiveness doesn't really mean shoot more jumpers...

What LMA really needs to do is bump people around and get close to the basket. So far I still see lots of short-to-mid-range jumpers and hardly any dunks and or point-blank shots. Maybe LMA will never be that type of player, but in order to be an All-Star I believe he’ll need to be. John Hollinger’s Insider Report says this and I agree whole-heartedly:

Scouting report: If this guy were any softer you’d use him to blow your nose. Aldridge has the size and length to be an outstanding rebounder and defender, but he willingly concedes prime post position and allows opponents to push him around under the basket. Given his size advantage at power forward he’s also a frustratingly mediocre rebounder, especially on the defensive glass where he was only 40th out of 62 power forwards.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Nov 4, 2008 12:44 PM PST reply actions

first off i love your handle, LEEROY JEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNKINS!

Second, I second everything you said. Aldridge was first pigeon-holed into C when he came into the league. If the guy was supposed to be a center—outside of Bargnani—he should be pounding down low. Then, when you take a guy that should be playing C and you put him at PF, he should DEFINITELY be able to take advantage of his opponents and work them on the inside.

Look, I don’t have a problem with Aldridge running the pick and pop with Roy. I think that’s great. I just think he needs to establish some sheedness and work on that low/high post turn around jumper. He has the size and athleticism to shoot over his opponents head and that shot is by far a better percentage than anything he’s getting thats beyond the charity stripe. Speaking of which, if he pounds it down low, he will go to the line more and put that sweet stroke of his to use to get some freebies.

Him and Oden down low should be our bread and butter when things aren’t gelling. All the good teams without MJ on them play through the post. That’s how you establish your presence and your most consistent weapon in your arsenal. For ****’s sake, LMA, play down low.

by nima on Nov 4, 2008 1:03 PM PST up reply actions

Spurs Game was the moment I realized we should not count on Aldridge

In the 4th quarter, Aldridge had Ime Udoka guarding him and he didn’t fight for position to receive a pass. There were at least 3 occasions where his teammates were looking to pass the ball to him in the post and Aldridge did absolutely nothing to fight for position. He freaking conceded the post position to Ime Udoka without a hint of a fight. That is just embarrassing.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Nov 4, 2008 1:26 PM PST up reply actions

Ima only played about 19 minutes in that game... not all of them on Aldridge.

also, he’s known as a defensive stopper (especially here). When they tried to guard him with Bonner or Thomas, he absolutely abused them.

by ***Jason*** on Nov 4, 2008 1:36 PM PST up reply actions

sorry... that's Ime!

by ***Jason*** on Nov 4, 2008 1:37 PM PST up reply actions

Ime Udoka can stop LMA, but not Bonner or Ancient Kurt Thomas...I don't feel any better

A 6’11 Power Forward should not be forced to shoot jumpshots by Ime Udoka.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Nov 4, 2008 1:39 PM PST up reply actions

true... but your point was that he couldn't even get the ball...

that’s what Ime does, he’s a lock down defender. I agree with you though, Lamarcus should have had more success against him. It wasn’t jump shots on Bonner or Thomas though. Lamarcus has high post moves. I want to see them setting picks for him before he gets the ball, get him the ball, and get the hell out of his way. When they do that, Lamarcus is money. He either draws the double or he scores. I’m not a huge fan of him popping out and shooting that jumper all the time either. When he’s on it looks good, when he’s off he shoots us out of the game sometimes.

by ***Jason*** on Nov 4, 2008 1:46 PM PST up reply actions

Here's my view

I think LMA has a lot of talent to put the ball in the hoop. Unfortunately he likes to take the easy way out and shoot jumpshots. In the 4th quarter of the Spurs game, the Blazers needed LMA to come up big, but he decided he wouldn’t fight to get the ball, not even fight for position, that told me much more about LMA then how he played against Bonner or Thomas. I hope he gets the message, but this is not an isolated stretch of play. Judging from his shot selection and poor rebounding, he just doesn’t like to get in the paint and be physical with anyone. This has far more to do with his mental approach than his physical capabilities which makes it more frustrating. Physical skills and capabilities can be honed through hard work and practice, but the mental approach is more difficult to change. It is intuitive and natural, I suspect closer to the player’s personality. LMA’s personality comes off passive to me and it reflects in his game. I sincerely hope that he can change his approach, in the meantime, I’m not holding my breath.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Nov 4, 2008 2:00 PM PST up reply actions

One of the things I noticed about Lamarcus in the SA game

was that he scored at will on isolation plays. They did it 4 or 5 times, and he scored on every single one of them. You could see it develop, and if SA didn’t double him, they had no answer. It’s not ‘throwing the ball into him’ and waiting for him to make a strong post move – but it is extremely effective. I couldn’t figure out why they didn’t do it over and over again. He’s not going to bowl people over with low block moves like Shaq or Boozer (or Zach did), but he’s more athletic than almost anyone that guards him. When they gave him the ball and got out of his way, it looked like he was playing in his driveway. I just want to see more of that. Get the defense off his jock, and let him play 1 on 1 and he’ll get 20+ every single night.

by ***Jason*** on Nov 4, 2008 1:07 PM PST reply actions

...

He will work the back to back game in as his career goes on, simmer down.

"I just know that I can't get big, I can't eat whatever I want to. I have to eat healthy, I have to stay right, I have to stay involved and ... I have to be here at practice because you know what? I can play pretty quick."

by TheGreatDane17 on Nov 4, 2008 1:19 PM PST reply actions