LMA Vs. Chris Bosh

by Zaron5551 on Feb 14, 2008 11:39 AM PST Comment 26 comments

I think that Lamarcus and Chris Bosh have fairly similar games, so I decided to do a little investigating and found that their stats in the second year on similar.

Chris Bosh

LMA

From that you can see that they have similar averages. Chris Bosh did rebound better. I think though Lamarcus will end up being a similar player.

This is my first diary so if there are any problems with it I blame them on that.

Poll

Will LMA be as good as Chris Bosh

Yes

40 votes

No

31 votes

No, he'll be way better

5 votes

No, LMA sucks we should try and trade hin while we can

4 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 26 comments

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Comments

A reasonable and interesting comparison...

LaMarcus and Bosh do seem to share a natural aptitude for the face-up game, although Bosh has now become more adept at playing inside. I find that the interesting issue with this comparison is the Greg Oden factor. In Toronto, Chris Bosh does not play with another low-post offensive threat. Therefore, Chris Bosh was/is forced to play more on the block. For better and worse, I could see LaMarcus roaming the perimeter more frequently if we decide that Oden is the primary low-block threat. But yes... I certainly hope that LaMarcus will become a versatile scorer and rebounder much like Chris Bosh.

by The Graduate on Feb 14, 2008 11:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I think Oden will change the way LMA would have to play. He probably won't have to be as dominant as Chris Bosh is for Toronto

I own leather sleeves - Demetri Martin

by Zaron5551 on Feb 14, 2008 2:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

bosh has a wicked first step and an all star

lma is much slower, less of a threat to drive and draw fouls. when lma faces up, he'll shoot a jumpshot. bosh has much better handles as well, ever see lma do a crossover?

lma could become a better post scorer, but he doesn't seem comfortable playing near the hoop.

by blzrfan on Feb 14, 2008 11:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

LMA just needs to mature

He doesn't look comfortable on the block because he gets knocked off his position. He has the footwork, coordination, skills and touch to be a great scorer on the block. He just needs to get stronger so he's not having to fight so much for position. I think he will too, he's got good muscle definition and has already increased his strength greatly since last season.

by iDea on Feb 14, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes and No

LMA has a high ceiling, but I don't think he will be on the same page with Bosh. Bosh has a different build. Bosh is like a small forward in a power forwards body. Lemarcus is like a center in a power forwards body. Maybe that does or doesn't make sense.

Chris Bosh is more 'explosive' because he has more explosive type of muscular build. LaMarcus has a more lean type of muscle mass. They could both be the same height, but Bosh would be a sprinter and Aldridge would run the Mile. Make sense?

I'm hip, I'm slick, and all the women want my phone number!

by silkybrown on Feb 14, 2008 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Completely

and i agree and think your statement backs up the point I was trying to make. Aldridge can be a lethal low post player.

by iDea on Feb 14, 2008 2:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here is the difference in my view

Bosh plays on his toes with a forward lean to spin or finish towards the basket. He gets open jumpers because of the threat to drive.

LMA plays flat footed and tends to rise & fade away. It is very difficult to make quick moves & drive when you aren't moving forward. LMA gets open jumpers because of his very high release... even when he is not open he is open.

by tweener on Feb 14, 2008 2:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In this sense...

are you more comfortable with a Rasheed Wallace/LMA comparison? Both have high release points and neither is a threat to drive.

by The Graduate on Feb 14, 2008 3:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I think Raweed is a more comparable type.

I think Bosh & LMA get compared more because they are buddies from Texas and the same age.

by tweener on Feb 14, 2008 3:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's my take also

"Ime caught the guy in mid-air with a fist and calmly continued his dispatching of oncoming people." -Gabe Muoneke

by hurryup09 on Feb 14, 2008 2:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I used to think so

But after watching Aldridge play all season. I don't think he will ever be on the same level of Bosh. Bosh is even quicker than Aldridge. He finishes strong. He actually draws fouls and he rebounds. These are all things Aldridge doesn't do.

Aldridge seems to prefer the jumper over anything. And if he's not hitting it at 50%, then it becomes a liability. Bosh drives to the basket, and he's a far more unique talent. Aldridge has Bosh's jumper, but not much else.

I think our team has two stars/potential superstars. Oden (if healthy) and Roy. Aldridge will be a very very good role player (think Lamar Odom, Prince, etc.)

Granted, i think Aldridge's skills compliment Oden eerily well. So if aldridge can put up an efficient 17/8 next year with Oden dominating the middle, it will be absolute bliss. Long story short, I don't think Aldridge will become an allstar level big in the west.

by ssa400 on Feb 14, 2008 12:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

we've heard that comparison a lot.

Aldridge has a long way to go in order to get to that level and I don't know if he will.

I still think its possible though.

by jksnake99 on Feb 14, 2008 12:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It's silly

that so many here are "sure" that Aldridge will never be the player that Bosh is.

If you want to compare apples to apples, compare Aldridge's current numbers to Bosh's second year.

CB4 37 min 16.8 pts 8.9 rebs 1.4 blk
LMA 34 min 17.0 pts 7.4 rebs 1.3 blk

So just where, exactly, does it figure that Aldridge will never be the player that Bosh is ? They seem to be following similar career trajectories. Both are skinny big men who, in the the early part of their careers, were pushed around by players 30-40 lbs bigger than they are. Bosh has adjusted. A tireless worker like Aldridge can reasonably be expected to do the same.

by knickfan on Feb 14, 2008 2:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Bosh-Aldrdige

Bosh is a much better rebounder and a better athelete. Aldrdige is stiff in his movements, where Bosh is fluid. Those are the main differences. In my oppinon, He won't ever be as good as Bosh.

by Jack Burton on Feb 14, 2008 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Aldridge is stiff?????

Since when?

by iDea on Feb 14, 2008 3:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Open Question

I like the comparison and the question. How good the Blazers become depends a lot on how Aldridge progresses and Bosh is a good bench mark. Whether or not Aldridge becomes as good as Bosh, however, depends on how hard Aldridge develops, how hard he works on his game, how much effort the organization puts into developing him, his drive to improve, etc.

I agree that Aldridge is not as quick or agile as Bosh, but he's also, taller, bigger, and potentially more accurate as a shooter. Right now he's still trying to figure out his game. Other than the 15 foot jumper, he doesn't really have a go to move or moves. Once he becomes really comfortable and consistent with a combination of inside moves, he can become a deadly scorer because of his natural accuracy and length/reach.

I'd love to see him find that comfort and consistency by the end of this season, but it might not happen.

by PoliSam on Feb 14, 2008 3:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lets see what the stats say.

In addition to the points & rebounds numbers already posted.

ESPN Rating factor: (first is this season and second is career avg.)

Bosh - 37.7 and 32.9
LMA - 28.3 and 21.7

Scoring & shooting effic:

Bosh - 1.45 / .487 and 1.39 / .488
LMA - 1.16 / .48 and 1.17 / .490

Career avgs in pts & rebs:

Bosh - 18.7 & 9
LMA - 12.4 & 6

Rebs per 48 (this season):

Bosh - 12.1
LMA - 7.4

I don't understand what goes into the Rating number. However the difference is significantly in Bosh's favor.

If I understand scoring and shooting efficiencies correctly, the better scoring # for Bosh is most likely a reflection of his getting to the line more. They are identical in shooting effic.

Bosh has a distinct advange in rebounding.

I think it is pretty evident that Chris Bosh is a better PF right now that Aldridge. But he also has the advantage of playing in his 5th season, while Aldridge pretty much has a half season last year and a bit over a half season so far this year.

Looking at the numbers and watching the two play, I have to say that Bosh is a bonafide superstar. Aldridge looks like he's going to be a star player. I'm not completely sure he'll make it to superstar level. But I'm not going to say he won't.

If a trade was made available (say a Memphis like clean out) of Bosh for Aldridge plus draft picks & an expiring contract, I think I might take it. I would like to wait until mid-season 2009 though.

by timg56 on Feb 14, 2008 3:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Draft Bio Comparison to Bosh...

On ESPN Insider 2006 Draft Bio's, The experts at ESPN compared LaMarcus Aldridge's game and physical attributes to that of Chris Bosh. Since reading that, I have always watched and compared the two. I think it is about as close as we can really get to comparing two players who simply are not the same people. I also think that Rasheed Wallace is a great comparison. The shot and ability to play further from the rim makes Rasheed a great comparison, Bosh seems like he takes it to the RIM a little more and a little harder than LMA does right now. That might come next year?

Either way, LMA was a great pick and will be one of the all-time Blazer greats when all is said and done.

by Scotty the Mastermind on Feb 14, 2008 4:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

LMA

Is very young and had less playing time, having never gone through the entire year last season.

LMA is also a very very hard worker, whatever potential he has he will reach it barring injury. That said, I think Bosh has better explosive quickness and athleticism, and I don't think LMA will be superior in that respect.

That being said Aldridge already has a very accurate jumper, close to, or superior to that of Bosh.

Next year after he is stronger his rebounding will go up, especially on the offensive end.

I think LMA will become a less athletic CB4 with a better jump shot, who is asked to do less on a more talented and deep team.

by Dheepan on Feb 14, 2008 4:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Homerism at its finest (not directed at Zaron)

LMA will be better than Bosh that's a good one.

Who ruled the paint against us in both games this year?

Good luck changing that without GO.

"Life is a meaningless sequence of events in between Blazer championships"

by broggerboy19 on Feb 14, 2008 5:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

You can accuse me, it's ok it's true

I take it you don't think Lamarcus will ever be better than Bosh. I completely agree that Bosh is a far superior player right now. Bosh as 3 more years of NBA experience though. If you actually compare LMA's stats this year to Bosh's second year they are fairly comparable. Bosh was a better rebounder than LMA currently is. I personally think that LMA will be at least as good as Chris Bosh, but the best part about this team is that he won't have to be. He'll have Brandon and Greg to help him win games. So yeah, I'm a homer, but I don't think to much of a homer to say that in Lamarcus' fifth year he'll have similar numbers to Bosh.

I own leather sleeves - Demetri Martin

by Zaron5551 on Feb 14, 2008 6:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Asserting that Aldridge will never be better than Bosh based on a comparison of their numbers right now is a fatally flawed analysis. Bosh's three more years of NBA experience is hugely significant. Any comparison that fails to adjust for that difference does not even pass the sniff test.

I know fans will be fans but when I see people make those kind of comparisons, I sometimes wonder if the people writing them aren't toddlers blessed with advanced keyboarding skills. Honestly, the insatiable demand for instant gratification often found around here is certainly characteristic of someone at that stage of human development. Yeah, I get it; you're frustrated that your team is mired in a slump and that one of its stars - Aldridge - isn't nearly as good as Bosh is now - a player he's often compared with. You expected more. You wanted Chris Bosh this year.

But you know what? In his second year, Bosh also had a lot of growing pains and threw up his fair share of clunkers. I particularly recall his sophomore season because that year, in the fantasy league I was in, I picked Bosh up off waivers after the guy who drafted him got so frustrated with his up and down production that he dumped him. From that point on, I followed his season with great interest. Early in the year, his game had many of the same shortcomnings that Aldridge is routinely criticized for now. He was primarily a mid-range, face-up jumpshooter with a very limited post game. It was only until after the All Star break that year that he began attacking the rim more and getting to the line with greater frequency.

I believe you'll start seeing more of that from Aldridge. On the recent road trip, he displayed some nifty post moves that I hadn't seen before. From all acounts he's a tireless worker who is driven to improve his game. There's no doubt in my mind that he will be a stud in this league who will soon draw favorable comparisons to Bosh. As my boy fatty would say, book it.

by knickfan on Feb 14, 2008 8:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I follow Calderon and I´ve seen what your are talking about.

I like Brandon Roy, whatever planet he comes from. (Bill Walton?)

by amlmart1 on Feb 15, 2008 1:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LMA will be better than Bosh

Robert Allen was LMAs HS coach and coached Bosh in the 9th grade in Dalls, whre they are both from.

Here is a link to Bosh talking about Allen:

http://www.chris-bosh.com/content/blogcategory/1/26/

I cant find it but Allen said that since he has coached both of them he thought LMA would end up as the better player.

Now I thikn this will be more of a Russell/Chamberlain arguement on who will be better, as LMA will probably have more rings when he hangs up the Nikes, but Bosh will have better individual statistics.

Bosh is option 1 in Tor while LMA can be option 1, 2 or 3 depending on the night with Roy, and Oden.

A bit off topic, but how many people here think that next year every posession that Oden is in we will run through him. Oden on the left block, power move into the lane for the baby hook. Oden on the left block, double team from the PF, LMA dive to the basket for the dunk. Oden on the left block, double team by the SG pass to Brandon for the 15' pull up J. " "SF pass to Webster for a wide open 3.

The possibilities are endless, but all are good for us.

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by SpyderRyder on Feb 14, 2008 10:54 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Who will be better?

I don't know.

I do know this. LMA's current style of game is a better fit for a team that has Oden on the low post. If he continues to develop and improve, he's going to be a better player to have on our team than Bosh. His game meshes perfectly with Oden's.

It also meshes perfectly with Brandon's. It isn't just that we have three superb players, it is that their styles of play are complementary to each other. That's scary.

by jscot on Feb 15, 2008 1:00 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I would like to see them go

Head to head. Just not on a basketball court, instead I would like them to tie their hands together and then fight with basketballs like in the Michael Jackson video "Beat It." Only then will we know who is the true master.

Now, when I say, "Who's da mastah?" you say, "Sho'nuff!"

"Darkness warshed over the Dude - darker'n a black steer's tookus on a moonless prairie night. There was no bottom." The Stranger from The Big Lebowski (1999)

by tominhawaii on Feb 15, 2008 11:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs