Wojnarowski: LaMarcus Aldridge Gets 5 Year, $65 - $70 Million Dollar Extension; City of Portland Rejoices
by Ben. on Oct 21, 2009 4:14 PM PDT
in News
344 comments
The incomparable Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports just tweeted...
Lamarcus Aldridge has agreed to a five year extension worth approximately $70 million with Portland, a league source tells Y! Sports.
While you're enjoying this news from Awoj, don't miss Yahoo!'s great Blazers preview, with contributions from Kelly Dwyer and JE Skeets.
Update (4:24 PM): Adrian Wojnarowski just added...
Lamarcus Aldridge extension could reach $70 million with incentives, but assures him between $65-$68 million over five seasons with Portland
Update (4:48PM): The official story posted on Yahoo! that echoes the tweets above.
Update (5:06PM):
Chad Ford of ESPN tweets...
Blazers strike a deal with LaMarcus Aldridge on a 5 year, $65 mil deal. Goes to $70 mil with hard to reach bonuses. Link coming ...
and also...
Bargnani ($50 mil), Roy ($80 mil) & Aldridge ($65 mil) only players from Draft Class of 2006 to get big extensions ...
Here's Chad Ford's full story.
The Portland Trail Blazers have verbally agreed in principle to a contract extension with forward LaMarcus Aldridge, a source close to the process told ESPN.com.
Meanwhile, Jason Quick of The Oregonian quotes LaMarcus Aldridge saying that the deal "is very close" but notes it's not completely finalized.
Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge is nearing a five-year extension with the Trail Blazers, the player said Thursday night, but the details of the deal have yet to be worked out.
Brian T. Smith of the Vancouver Columbian also quotes Kevin Pritchard saying it's not completely finalized.
Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard said earlier today he was optimistic a deal would be reached with Aldridge.
"I hope so," Pritchard said. "But you never say it's done until the ink gets dry."
Update (5:32PM):
Bill Simmons, "The Sports Guy", weighs in...
Any time you can lock up a non All-Star like LaMarcus Aldridge for $65 million, you have to do it.
Bill Simmons back with more...
Fyi: I wouldn't give any NBA megaextension except for a Durant type. Market swung too drastically. Aldridge worth 65m 3 yrs ago but not now.
Our Salary Cap Guru, Storyteller, weighs in down in the BE comments...
Aldridge just agreed to sign for about 90% of the max. Which is pretty good.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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This is why they need to pick Mills
To save money for paying LMA.
by CatMan2 on Oct 21, 2009 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Good thinking
It all makes sense now.
by tominhawaii on Oct 21, 2009 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, they picked Mills because he is on our NBA Live Roster...
…and Nate didn’t want to have to wait for them to update their rosters to try out new lineups at home. At least, that’s what MY sources tell me. :)
....formerly GonzoFan. Now, this has been a message from "The People's Alliance to Continue to Encourage Greg Oden on his Path to Dominance"
by bforsythe on Oct 21, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hahaha!
So it’s true that EA Sports controls everything… Although, I remember seeing NBA Live ‘07 (Maybe ’08… not 100% sure) with McBob being rated 87. He was the best player on the team until I fudged around with B. Roy’s stats, and made him a 90 something.
"Don't put anything crazy in the papers. I'll find out who you are." -- Andre Miller
by Jeremiah S on Oct 21, 2009 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's because Live is buggy
McBob got LA’s stats and vice versa.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
by mittsabishy on Oct 21, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
why is nate playing live?
everyone knows that 2k10 is way better
bayless leaves over my dead body
andre miller>hedo, blake
real.baller
R.A.M.B.O (do it nate, if you are smart)
"I could have killed 'em all, I could kill you. In town you're the law, out here it's me. Don't push it. Don't push it or I'll give you a war you won't believe. Let it (last years starting line-up) go. Let it go."
by thomasikehara on Oct 21, 2009 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LMA !! yeahhhh babyy
I was thinking about 12-14 a year so its all good.
by Iwvelez on Oct 21, 2009 4:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
After a couple of weeks of less than good news
Finally, a chance to be happy.
by jstamp26 on Oct 21, 2009 4:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I could compare him to one or two things…
My team went to the playoffs in my first year.
by pxilpooshr on Oct 21, 2009 4:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I blame the Raptors overpaying for Bargnani and the Pistons overpaying for Charlie V.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You think this is too big Norsk?
by dario argento on Oct 21, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
65 before incentives sounds better as clarified below. And I like that they were able to lock him up for 5 years.
Bosh & Co. only signed for 3 so they could get to that third big contract faster. So preventing that is worth something.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
huge news. love it i said 5/65 was fair, but I can live with 70. That’s 14 per year average. assuming max raises, it would be close to:
2010-11: $11,500,000
2011-12: $12,707,500
2012-13: $13,915,000
2013-14: $15,122,500
2014-15: $16,330,000
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
by douglast on Oct 21, 2009 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I would have hoped to pay him less-- more like 5/60
but its good the signing got done.
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Commencing....
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
by T Darkstar on Oct 21, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They had to pay a premium to get that length. Also would be interesting if all is guaranteed or if something is a bonus.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
do you have 60 million dollars?
blah blah blah blah lame comment - lame commenter
by Bandwagon Butcher on Oct 21, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's more than Adam Morrison is going to make over the next five years.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
by T Darkstar on Oct 21, 2009 4:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
or next 5 lifetimes.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
by Arby on Oct 21, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
great thought
Draft the Stache to Save Cash! should have been the slogan
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Oct 21, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
WWWWHHHHOOOOO HHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just got paid today, got me a pocket full ’O change!!!! – ZZ Top
Now that is what I am talking about.
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The concussion must have jarred him into "Destroy All Opposition Terminator Mode!" - BlazersOrBust
by LaMarvelous on Oct 21, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Got a little change in my pocket
going jingle-ingle-ingle
"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles
by 92wastheyear on Oct 21, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
C'mon C'mon listen to the money talk
by Jacksonville on Oct 21, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tried to call you on the telephone...
etc.
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Oct 21, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Georgia Satelites?
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Oct 21, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You got it
"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles
by 92wastheyear on Oct 21, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Finally...
Let’s Talk some Hoops now.
RoadBlazer
by Roadblazer on Oct 21, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Incentives included...
YahooSportsNBA Lamarcus Aldridge extension could reach $70 million with incentives, but assures him between $65-$68 million over five seasons with Portland
....formerly GonzoFan. Now, this has been a message from "The People's Alliance to Continue to Encourage Greg Oden on his Path to Dominance"
by bforsythe on Oct 21, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It's a great day to be a Blazer !!!!
"That's just how I get down"........ Andre Miller
by FrenchieFan on Oct 21, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
His new nickname should be All-rich
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is GOOD!
Now we need details.
5th year opt out or team option?
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 21, 2009 4:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
so, who blinked?
Blazers or the LMA camp?
I’d have to say it looks like the Blazer’s caved. 11.5 to start is probably only about a million below where Roy will start next season
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
by douglast on Oct 21, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
65 to 68M w/ incentives.
YahooSportsNBA Lamarcus Aldridge extension could reach $70 million with incentives, but assures him between $65-$68 million over five seasons with Portland
by DrScience on Oct 21, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
recalculating the breakdown:
$65 million would be:
10,750,000
11,878,750
13,007,500
14,136,250
15,265,000
$68 million would be:
11,250,000
12,431,250
13,612,500
14,793,750
15,975,000
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
by douglast on Oct 21, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
$65 million was my prediction a couple of months ago
although I too was hoping for something more like $60 million.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had hoped for $55 million guaranteed, while another $10 million was added in incentives.
“I, by the way, would’ve probably submitted this contract proposal.
Aldridge signs a five-year, $55,000,000 contract extension with $10,000,000 more in possible incentives* and an early termination option that can be exercised after the fourth season.
2010-2011: $10,000,000 (Base Salary) + $2,000,000 (Potential Incentives).
2011-2012: $10,500,000 (Base Salary) + $2,000,000 (Potential Incentives).
2012-2013: $11,000,000 (Base Salary) + $2,000,000 (Potential Incentives).
2013-2014: $11,500,000 (Base Salary) + $2,000,000 (Potential Incentives).
2014-2015^: $12,000,000 (Base Salary) + $2,000,000 (Potential Incentives).
*$200,000 for each season he averages 8 or more rebounds per game.
$200,000 for each season he shoots 50% or higher from the field.
$200,000 for each season he makes an All-Star Team.
$200,000 for each season he makes an All-Defense Frist or Second Team.
$200,000 for each season he makes an All-NBA First, Second, or Third Team.
$200,000 for each season he plays 70 or more games.
$200,000 for each season he plays 3,000 or more minutes.
$200,000 for each season Portland wins 60 or more games.
$200,000 for each season Portland wins the Western Conference Finals.
$200,000 for each season Portland wins the NBA Finals.
^ETO Season."
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/10/21/1093963/andrei-kirilenkos-hair-amirite#23161986
As it is, though, the Portland Trail Blazers just massively overpaid a guy who’ll be a #3 instead of a #2 on a true title contender. Let’s just hope this gigantic contract doesn’t come back to bite the Trail Blazers in the ass.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like it
especially that list of incentives… alas.
by mangas on Oct 21, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, "alas" is right.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What? No incentive for
amount of “touches” per game?
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
200k for all D team. That's paltry.
You’re incentives need more consideration and prioritization.
Lowballing a guy you need to win isn’t a great strategy. It’s easy to say the tough guy lines when you’re not in the situation. The problem is the Blazers needed LMA. Everyone knew that. Value changes in that situation. Fair market value is a load of crap.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Oct 22, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and to bring up another topic
I wonder if the Blazers will give a full 10.5% raise or if the number for 2009-10 is a bit higher than what you have listed here with smaller yearly raises. We discussed this as a ‘strategy’ weeks ago and it’s one I hope they were able to get Aldridge to agree to. No idea if they did, but…..
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
I hope you are right about the figures, as more now and less later is a good thing overall. I guess time will tell.
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
by douglast on Oct 21, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except paying more sooner is bad considering the small but constant inflation in any modern economy
But with the luxury tax I could see it…depends on what you predict for inflation, I’d wager. (From PA’s POV.)
You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.
by austinpwnz on Oct 22, 2009 12:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No opt out clause?
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean like an ETO?
No idea if he has one. That news has yet to be ‘leaked’.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks - I did not think you would see this clear up here so I reposted below
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beat you by three minutes...
…nyaa-nyaaahh.
....formerly GonzoFan. Now, this has been a message from "The People's Alliance to Continue to Encourage Greg Oden on his Path to Dominance"
by bforsythe on Oct 21, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But yours has a link.
And that’s better. Dang!
....formerly GonzoFan. Now, this has been a message from "The People's Alliance to Continue to Encourage Greg Oden on his Path to Dominance"
by bforsythe on Oct 21, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yesssssssss
We’ve got our Big 3!!!
by Lil0drummer0boy on Oct 21, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Blazers should give LMA a press conference day on Friday.
Like they did Brandon. Give LMA a day alone in the spotlight for a good start in the regular season.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 21, 2009 4:28 PM PDT reply actions 5 recs
I'd like to see this, pet the ego a little bit.
#88<#23<#25
by The Pirate on Oct 21, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LMA will always need a bit of ego foreplay
but now that hes set for life, he will probably be seeing a lot more of that a$$ kissing.
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Oct 21, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I noticed that...
even though awoj is a jerk, the dude has his sources…
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Oct 21, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why Quick was snarly about Mills?
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quick has known since Monday, but couldn't break it.
At least, that is how he put it on the BFT…
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He knows who shot JFK too. He just has to wait to break it.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 21, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
cool...I've been waiting a looong time for that one...
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you'll get your answer
right after Ben spills the beans about the “real” reason why Dejuan Blair wasn’t on Portland’s draft board….
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Congrats to LaMarcus
Hopefully he hasn’t already hit his ceiling like Hollinger is predicting.
by mas1983 on Oct 21, 2009 4:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I would be alright with the ceiling that we saw the last 30 games of last year. That Lamarcus was worth this contract for sure.
Not to mention his defense is only going to get better.
by dario argento on Oct 21, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What, no back-handed comments about the failure of the Portland front office?
I expected more A-Woj. I expected more.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
by T Darkstar on Oct 21, 2009 4:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
its hard to do that via twitter
he’ll find a way in his next column.
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Will A-woj criticize KP for
a) paying LaMarcus too much (and quote the price per rebound)
b) taking too long?
c) using too much energy talking on the phone?
d) Darius Miles gate, in case we’ve forgotten
e) a fashion faux pas
f) global warming
or g) the deficit?
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Oct 21, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You forgot
Wall Street bailouts, swine flu, and 9/11.
by mas1983 on Oct 21, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not being able to trade him for Amare or Bosh at the last minute, while burning through 2 Blackberry batteries
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great News. I think its time for me to move to Portland
With Broy and Big L i think the next 5 years should be great. With all this talk of Miller getting no respect I think LMA finally got the respect he deserves. Hes a bigger part of this team then some realize.
by Big Swoopa on Oct 21, 2009 4:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
there should be an option in the poll for
who cares how much money, at least hes finally signed to an extension
by 64-18 on Oct 21, 2009 4:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
refs got their contracts yesterday
LaMarcus gets his 2day. its all good now
by 64-18 on Oct 21, 2009 5:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
yesssssssssssssssss
you got your money, L-Train—-and you totally deserve it (as much as a guy can deserve millions for playing a game but…)
now go play some D and get some boards!
PS- J-Quick says the deal is verbal so far but should be signed soon.
"We're going to play the right way. It ain't about you. It's about us. We can be successful if we play together. And that's what it's about. In this league, playing hard, playing together. Your numbers shouldn't matter." - Coach McMillan
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 21, 2009 5:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
L-Train? Did we sign Lionel Hollins?
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 21, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let me reference precedent, my good man:
Lamarcus refers to himself as “L-Train” in a radio spot. That’s right—-a REAL one.
I rest my case.
:sits back and smokes pipe ala Sherlock Holmes:
"We're going to play the right way. It ain't about you. It's about us. We can be successful if we play together. And that's what it's about. In this league, playing hard, playing together. Your numbers shouldn't matter." - Coach McMillan
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 21, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And we call him LA or LMA
Except when the Fakers come to town and we have to change his song.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Oct 21, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
what do mean by "we" hmmm?
I AM NOT part of any “we”, be it proverbial or otherwise.
thanks!:)
L-Train. smooth.
"We're going to play the right way. It ain't about you. It's about us. We can be successful if we play together. And that's what it's about. In this league, playing hard, playing together. Your numbers shouldn't matter." - Coach McMillan
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 21, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The team
When he is introduced at home games, it’s “The L-Train”.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Oct 21, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should be L-Train II
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But his scoring song
Is “We love LA.”
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Oct 21, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
what do his kinky mix cd's have to do with anything?
"We're going to play the right way. It ain't about you. It's about us. We can be successful if we play together. And that's what it's about. In this league, playing hard, playing together. Your numbers shouldn't matter." - Coach McMillan
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 21, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They stopped that last year
Now it is a train whistle
"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles
by 92wastheyear on Oct 21, 2009 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
His teammates and KP call him LA.
They started this L-Train crud because of how LA sounded during the player introductions at games. Lionel Hollins was referred to as L-Train and just Train. I personally dislike a nickname reused like this.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 21, 2009 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Big Smooth" was already taken, too
by Sam Perkins
Aldridge is Scooby Doo. Oden runs like Shaggy. That pair never fails to bust the bad guys
BTW, Patty Mills facially reminds me of a lemur. pass it on
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
does lma actually have areal nickname yet?
if someone responds with lma im going to die do to inflicted lazyness.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
his teammates (and Wheels) refer to him by his initials
but we can’t type those letters without creating controversy, hence “LMA”
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree on the Lemur front
Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game
by iDea on Oct 21, 2009 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he likes to move it move it
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I htink this might help the entire team
No contract issues for any of our players now.
Therefore, less bad stress.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Oct 21, 2009 5:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
sarcasm
BREAKING NEWS! Aldridge’s girlfriend says Portland is not “cosmopolitan” enough, ink is not dry, LMA will sign with Toronto for 100mil
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 21, 2009 5:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The new updated quotes don't make it seem as final as A-chump said it was.
by TheTinfoil on Oct 21, 2009 5:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
kp is just doing that because the agent told the national guys
by Ben. on Oct 21, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
$65 million seems more reasonable...would have preferred $60 million
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
by blzrfan on Oct 21, 2009 5:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Is he being facetious?
Any time you can lock up a non All-Star like LaMarcus Aldridge for $65 million, you have to do it.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
by blzrfan on Oct 21, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simmons is just jealous
of Oden. :)
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Oct 21, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention still bummed
about the Sox getting stomped by the Angels, who are in turn getting stomped by the Yankees.
(Pssst, Bill…. 18-1. 18-1. 18-1).
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Oct 21, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bill Simmons has declared the talent on this team overrated
He will not cite anything he thinks might possibly support this view in order to look right. This is what he does and we shouldn’t expect anything less. Entertaining guy but definitely arrogant and can’t stand being wrong.
Durant>Oden (for this team)
OKC talent> Blazer talent
LMA= non All-Star
He’s gonna go 0-3 on these predictions
by MadBlaze on Oct 21, 2009 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thunder are the most overrated
“up and coming team” in the league. they got a scorer (durant) and a couple good role players (green and westbrook) with possibly another good role player (harden). they aren’t the “next blazers”. we’ve got like 8 or 9 quality young players. they got 4.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
by axel360 on Oct 21, 2009 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They have the pieces to add 4-5 more
At least one (probably two) lotto picks this year, and cap space they can use to Boozer someone or do a Camby-like trade, likely right before the deadline with some team that has majorly underachieved.
The next Blazers? No
One of the best overall situations in the league? You bet
by dprodigy19 on Oct 21, 2009 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They won 23 games last year!
There is no reason to believe this is an “up and coming team”.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
by axel360 on Oct 21, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you replace their 4 worst rotation players with better guys
That team does a whole lot better.
And guess what? There is zero doubt that happens soon.
by dprodigy19 on Oct 21, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya but you have to start somewheres
people arn’t saying they are gonna win the championship! blazers sucked to before they got roy. life on earth started from nada too.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah but
this is the first time i can remember media members crowning a team that hasnt even won 25 games in a season. peple didnt start jumping on our bandwagon until we won 32 games AND won the draft lottery. the media just likes durant.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
by axel360 on Oct 21, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya i agree that the meida likes durant more then it liked roy.
part of that is cause they dont know what to make of a gunner who shoots 50%. were roys goodness kind of fits other player’s arches.
but i think i realy dont make a distinction between 23 games and 32 games. sucknyess is suckyness
but you easily could be right and there is ahuge difference there. i just dont think its that relevant when we are talking about starting from nothing. maybe the west was different at the time who knows.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The gulf between 23 and 32 is HUGE
If the Thunder win 30+ games, it would be a huge improvement. They are totally awful in every way.
Winning 30+ means they are respectable. I could see them doing it, but we were that bad BEFORE we got our franchise guy in Roy… they are that bad AFTER getting Durant. Big difference.
Morty
by Mortimer on Oct 21, 2009 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They could!
And it would be a huge improvement for them.
I will also believe it when I sees it. They are an awful team. The top 9 in the West is still very, very strong.
M—
by Mortimer on Oct 21, 2009 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
they played like a 30 win team the whole 2nd half last season
firing PJ was a huge step forward for them. They still have a long, long way to go though, but I think they will win in the low 30s.
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
we won 31 in Roy's age 23 year. Durant is still younger than that.
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you mean 41 wins, as the team won 32 in Brandon ...
Roy’s age 22 season. Though, during Roy’s age 22 season, Zach Randolph was really the headliner, no matter how sad that seems looking back at it.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ah, my mistake
I thought that Roy’s rookie year was his age 23 season.
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DURANT WAS 19 LAST YEAR!
roy was 23!!!
by mandoman10 on Oct 22, 2009 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Style of play matters more than age in this case.
by Mortimer on Oct 22, 2009 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you yourself says he can improve and its just wait and see.
if they win 30 games this year when he is 20 then i would say that up and coming is within the realm of possiblitiy and is comparably to the blazers 30 games in roys 23 yrs of age.
by mandoman10 on Oct 22, 2009 12:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya but they are not into yr 1 of being up and coming.
blazers had how many in roys’ 2nd year? did they have 9 then? i dont remember. lol.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simmons admits he's wrong
when he’s wrong. You can’t be wrong about the future until it happens.
I don’t like his take on the Blazers either. I think it’s pretty superficial. It’s not so much that he is bearish on the Blazers, but that he’s bearish for the wrong reasons. For instance, before the playoffs started, he thought the Blazers matched up really well against the Rockets, when both the Rockets and Blazers blogosphere thought it was a tough matchup (because we struggle against speedy guards and Yao is best against big, bruiser centers).
He also repeatedly killed Nate for not going small during the Rockets series, playing LMA at the 5. If BS had watched the series more closely, he would have realized that Nate tried that and got disastrous results.
In the end, he is what he is. He would not be a good commentator if he only wrote about what he knew intimately. And he does that too much anyway (I don’t care for Boston teams).
I do think he’s against Oden for immature reasons. He got into a pissing match with Chad Ford about Oden vs. Durant, and that worked out so well for him, it’s as if his ego would take a blow if Oden became dominant. On the other hand, he’s been right so far. Oden’s looking fantastic, but all it takes is one more major knee injury and we’re back at square one.
by shuppatsu on Oct 21, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love Simmons
but agree he’s wrong about some things, including the Blazers. If Blazers play well, and Oden pans out, he’ll eventually admit it. Ultimately he’s honest. He said on his podcast a couple of days ago, “I see the Blazers taking a step backwards this year.” And then nothing to back that up. Take a step back with a bunch of 20 to 25 y.o. guys all getting a taste of the playoffs, and getting one more year toward their primes?! How do you even take a step back from losing in the first round of the playoffs? Not make the playoffs?
Simmons seams like a great guy, but sometimes he gets it wrong.
by bbails on Oct 21, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simmons is right
Blazers just paid 90% of the max for a jump shooter who rebounds like a small forward.
by begottenson on Oct 22, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but what a jumpshot!!
In all seriousness, they ended up paying for what he should be over the next 5 years, not the same level of production/efficiency he gave last year.
by MadBlaze on Oct 22, 2009 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wrong
Wallace and LeBron are the only SF’s who out rebounded LMA last year.
Wallace plays PF sometimes and James is the MVP. LMA is not a dominant rebounder, but he is competent and he is a very good offensive rebounder. If he just grabs 1 more defensive board a game, or played in a bit faster system, he’d be in a very respectable range.
I think he has the tools to be a 12 rebounds guy, but I don’t know if he’ll do it with Oden on the floor. As long as he out rebounds his matchup, I’m happy.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 22, 2009 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
right
but he doesn’t, that’s the thing.
and really – stoked that he out-rebounds MOST small forwards? hmm….
by begottenson on Oct 22, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stoked?
You made a statement that he rebounds like a SF. He refuted it.
Why not just admit that you were using hyperbole, and let it go?
I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.
by jscot on Oct 22, 2009 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
because....
I guess… I just…. I just can’t….
by begottenson on Oct 22, 2009 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
lol
rec
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 22, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get the impression that Simmons enjoys trolling Blazer fans.
Seriously I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this was more of that.
Simmons is wrong a lot, right sometimes, but always amusing. He also seems to have become popular enough that it’s cool to hate on him.
by aimlessgun on Oct 22, 2009 1:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Word
the amount of vitriol directed his way is telling.
by begottenson on Oct 22, 2009 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
hahah. didn't Ostertag make an all star team?
"We're going to play the right way. It ain't about you. It's about us. We can be successful if we play together. And that's what it's about. In this league, playing hard, playing together. Your numbers shouldn't matter." - Coach McMillan
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 21, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting
I’m trying to search Simmons’ archive for his dismissal of the signings of Andrew Bynum, Deron Williams, and Andre Iguodala. After all, they’re making comparable money (or more) and none of them have been All-Stars either.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
he dismissed them all. big time.
i can’t remember the deron one. but hes killed the bynum and iggy signings.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's actually pretty good on moves like this
Killed the Shard deal (which was for more) and I remember snarky tweets/podcast comments for Iggy and Bynum
by dprodigy19 on Oct 21, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Then good for him
Consistency is the name of the game.
Although I’ll believe that he was down on Deron Williams signing a max deal because he never made the All Star team when I see it…..
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
derons circumastances have been wierd. hes been injured in like 1st half of season couple times
and he was playing well that one year when there were like 20 all star pg’s in the west. that year that roy first made it.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aldridge plays in a conference
where there is more competition for the forward All-Star slots than Deron faces for guard All-Star slots.
I’m just saying that if your blanket standard for who deserves a contract averaging $13 million per year is “has he made the All-Star team” (as Simmons twitter statement did) then you’re on shaky ground in supporting a max contract for Williams.
Personally, I think that both Aldridge and Williams are worth their deals.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I agree
CP3, Kobe, Tony Parker, and BRoy produce problems.
Granted, Utah could vote for Deron like they vote for David Archuleta and the Osmonds, but they don’t.
by dprodigy19 on Oct 21, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would give simmons more credit then that.
i dont think that is his “criteria” he just, as a person who has opinions about players (like everyone), doesn’t for whatever reason think that Aldridge is gonna be like a perennial all-star. thats just his opinion. some gms like some players and others dont like them.
i
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the problem with dumb snarky comments made for snark more than for the content
Super easy to show the hypocritical holes in the snarkiness. That has been what Simmons has become too much lately, it seems.
Does LMA “deserve” 65 million based on what he has done? No, of course not.
Is that the basic going rate for a good, young big man? Yes, unfortunately for Paul Allen. And the Bogut, Bargs, and Charlie V signings don’t help that.
It’s just how it is, ya won’t get out of paying a young big for much less.
Morty
by Mortimer on Oct 21, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i dunno. he is claiming that it isn't market rate.
he thinks that if they let him go to free agency. he woudln’t command that money. that to me, right or wrong, is more then a snkary comment.
i think simmons doesn’t see the part were lma would get his feelings hurt going to free agenyc.
by mandoman10 on Oct 22, 2009 12:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mandoman is right
it’s not a matter of market rate, it’s a matter of committing to potentially the wrong guy. So Bogut “deserves” $75 million based on the open market; if you’re a GM, can you honestly look at a team with Andrew Bogut (or Iggy, Deng, or whoever) as its best player winning a title? Almost definitely not in a league of LeBrons, CP3’s, Duncans, etc., so if you don’t have a potentially transcendent guy and you’re on a budget, it’s more conducive to eventually winning titles to let him walk, not screw up your cap space, and essentially tank until you snag a guy like Rose, Griffin, Durant, or Roy (yes, I’m confident here). This is why he loves the Thunder so much, even though the only reason they were able to commit to tanking for a couple years even after getting Durant was the complete screw job they put on Seattle, so they were actively trying to drive away fans.
It’s an easy stance for a sportswriter to take because they don’t have to deal with the fact that they’re essentially selling the fans out year after year until you find that one guy. So unless that young big is the next Duncan or KG, it might be best in the long run to not hand out a mega extension. Of course, I’m of the mind that the Roy/Oden combo has a championship foundation so we don’t NEED Aldridge to explode, but we’re not going to find anyone better than him to play alongside those two, given our cap and draft situations (although Millsap would have been nice). So given the choice between overpaying him and losing him, I’m okay with overpaying him, as long as PA doesn’t shut the wallet when we need to keep some other pieces around.
by Royster on Oct 22, 2009 1:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even though I usually dislike Bill Simmons, his biting sarcasm hits the nail on the head here.
The Portland Trail Blazers just overpaid for a “non All-Star” by $5 to $10 million, pure and simple.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so what do you say when he becomes an All Star this year
and stays there?
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that miraculously happens, I'll admit to being wrong about it.
David West has masqueraded as an All-Star for two years, though, so anything is possible.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
West All Star Contenders at the 4/5
T. Duncan
A.Stoudemire
P. Gasol
D. West?
M. Okur
C. Boozer
LMA
Oden
A. Jefferson
Nene
Nowitzki
Of those on this list, Duncan, Amare, Pau and Dirk have both the skills and the reputation to be All Star locks. I believe that leaves one spot open for a 4/5. I don’t see it as a miracle for LMA to play his way onto the list, but the competition is probably stronger than it looks.
If we take NET PER, however, we see that Portland’s 4’s outplayed opponent 4’s by a significant margin. Based solely on net production – LMA is a top 3 power forward in the NBA, let alone the West.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so LMA is better than 3 of these 5: Duncan, Garnett, Nowitzki, Gasol, Bosh
Do you seriously, in your heart of hearts, believe this to be the case? Or, do you think that net PER is misleading in this case?
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
2+2 = 4
sometimes, you have to just trust the math.
LMA was the 4, last season, and the Blazers sported the 2nd best advantage in the NBA at the 4 position in terms of net productivity. That is a measurable fact comparing LMA (and other Blazer 4’s) vs. all opponent 4’s playing against the Blazers.
Duncan, of course, is listed as a 5. Garnett was injured. Nowitzki was better than LMA. Bosh was not, and neither was Gasol.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"trust the math"
You seem to trust the math that proves your point. NET PER is a pretty flawed stat for a wealth of reasons.
The vast majority of advanced stats: PER, adjusted plus minus, statistical plus minus, WP48, WARP, etc, etc, etc say Bosh and Gasol are better than LMA. Indeed, by a lot.
Frankly, I’m amazed you see LMA as being in the same category as Gasol and Bosh, who are rather clearly superior players, despite the existence of one stat that prefers LMA.
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
nope
The vast majority of advanced stats: PER, adjusted plus minus, statistical plus minus, WP48, WARP, etc, etc, etc say Bosh and Gasol are better than LMA. Indeed, by a lot.
Correlation is the only quantitative tool that we can use to “test” performance statistics. The validity of any given metric must be correlated to winning percentage to establish relevant. Most of the statistics you name attempt to isolate an individual player’s specific abilities measured against other players specific abilities.
PER, from all reports, is not the best corollary to winning percentage. One of the major knocks against this metric is that it does not account for defense. NET Per corrects this deficiency by quantifying the differential between opponents. Who cares if your PER isn’t top 10? If you outplay your opponent – you are helping your team win.
Aldridge is one of the best at his position. Last year, all things considered – he turned the Blazers into a top 2 team in terms of advantage at the 4 position.
Maybe that is because Gasol played a lot of 5 – ditto Duncan. Maybe Stoudemire being injured for so long helped that standing. Whatever.
The bottom line is that Aldridge was one the two most important reasons the Blazers won 54 games last year.
Finally, Bosh plays in the East. Last – if the Blazers and Raptors end up playing in the Finals – Bosh would be neutralized by Aldridge. He IS that good. Right now.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 22, 2009 2:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
your critique of PER is fair and applies to e.g. WP48 as well
It doesn’t apply to adjusted plus minus or statistical plus minus though. NET PER is a good stat for looking at 1v1 play. However, it doesn’t do a good job looking at team offense or team defense.
If you peruse the 2-yr adjusted plus minus stats on basketballvalue.com (2 years use to reduce the noise associated with it) or the statistical plus minus (SPM) stats (which is based on regressing boxscore stats with APM) on the basketball-reference.com blog, you will see that these stats suggest Gasol and Bosh are a lot better than Aldridge.
For Gasol: 1 year adjusted plus minus: +6.04; 2-year APM: +6.88; SPM: +3.40
For Bosh: 1 year adjusted plus minus: +5.09; 2-year APM: +6.54; SPM: +3.68
For Aldridge: 1 year adjusted plus minus: +2.51; 2-year APM: +2.07; SPM: +1.32
Since these stats, which take into account defense (and team defense not just 1v1 defense like with Net PER), agree with the stats created by the respected APBR sabermaticians Hollinger (PER) and Pelton (WARP) that Gasol and Bosh are a cut above LMA, I’m inclined to believe them.
As an aside, has anyone ever seen Hollinger cite net PER? PER is his stat and yet I’ve never seen him reference net PER in any column. That leads me to believe its not very useful.
links: basketball-value; bbr blog
by jksnake99 on Oct 22, 2009 2:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
bbr link
Also, its worth noting that the East really isn’t a dramatically worse conference than the West anymore. Indeed, last year it had 3 of the 4 best teams and only 1 of the 7 worst teams, though the West was still undeniably better in the middle.
by jksnake99 on Oct 22, 2009 2:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
meant to write
“As an aside, has anyone ever seen Hollinger cite net PER? PER is his stat and yet I’ve never seen him reference net PER in any column. That leads me to believe that Hollinger thinks its not very useful.”
all right, I’m done for the night.
by jksnake99 on Oct 22, 2009 2:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Net PER is not Hollinger's baby
Net PER also says that Gasol is better than Aldridge – but Gasol played a lot of 5, last season. Aldridge did not.
Based on the alternative metrics you provided – Bosh SHOULD have had a much bigger impact on his team’s net productivity. Why didn’t he? Aldridge, according to a reliable metric, was more productive than his opponents at a higher rate than Bosh.
That we can even debate the relative merits of Aldridge and Bosh should be a clear indicator that Aldridge is already underrated.
Whether Bosh would be better on the Blazers than Aldridge, and Aldridge worse on the Raptors than Bosh is best determined by advanced metrics such as WARP. Whether Aldridge was the second most important reason the Blazers won 54 games, last season, is incontrovertible.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 22, 2009 2:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Adjusted +/- is actually a stat that loves Aldridge.
Ilardi posted his version of adjusted +/- that had Aldridge as the 25th best player in the league last season, and the most standard deviations away from 0 for the Blazers. He was the 18th best player in 2007-2008 by adjusted +/-.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AnGzTFTtSPx_dFVrZXdHNlNZQUJadllKUm1Ld294WkE&hl=en
by poster on Oct 22, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and Garnett and Bosh are Eastern Conference.
This was a West All Star analysis.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If LMA makes it
It’ll be more based off of how good our team is doing, more than his actual play… if you know what I mean.
I think he has a good shot, but it’s entirely based on us being the 2nd best team in the West, unless his game takes an unexpected leap. I think it’s more likely to expect our team to just be doing really well so the coaches reward us with 2 or 3 allstars… as is common.
Morty
by Mortimer on Oct 21, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he makes it because of that rationale -- which occurs in the NBA -- then his ...
All-Star appearance(s) will be a fluke akin to how David West and Mehmet Okur’s selections were in recent years.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't disagree.
Unless his game takes a jump, he’s just flat out most likely going to be a “good team” allstar, and not one based on his own work.
BUT, if he keeps up his post allstar play (19/8.5), that is good enough to get in on his own… depending.
The “paid a non-allstar” thingy is meaningless anyways. We’re paying a #3 dude on a good team who is a good young PF a lil’ above the going rate for young bigs. It’s standard. Would 5 million less be nicer? Sure, but 5 million more doesn’t cut into our flexibility and his contract is certainly not untradeable should we look to move past the LMA era.
For now, he’s a good fit for our roster, his weaknesses masked by Oden and Joel, and could still improve quite a bit— or just stay steady like the last few months of the season and be more than good enough.
Morty
by Mortimer on Oct 21, 2009 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aldridge doesn't have that far to go.
If it was only down to Okur, West and Aldridge last season – then Aldridge was clearly better and more deserving.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 22, 2009 2:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
west had no business on that team
based on plus/minus stats as well as stats like Pelton’s WARP, either Nene or Millsap would have been a better choice than either West or Aldridge. I could see Aldridge getting the nod next year, but I don’t think he’ll deserve it (though again, he’s certainly as or more deserving than West).
by jksnake99 on Oct 22, 2009 2:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
David West was a mistake the past two years, while Mehmet Okur just ...
barely made the squad in 2007 as an injury replacement for Carlos Boozer.
Anyway, Nenê should’ve made the Western Conference All-Star Team over West in 2009.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 22, 2009 2:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's rare that I completely agree with my friend AK, but there's no way that that contract doesn't come back to bite the Blazers in the butt...
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Oct 21, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed
I believe that monkeys will fly out of my behind and all heck will break loose.
It’s about 10 mil too much for a PF that doesn’t block out, but he does have a legitimate shot at an All-star this year so I won’t make the same proclamation as AK.
by xedubx on Oct 21, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
there are ways that it doesn't, of course
he could continue to improve. then it is money well spent
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Oct 21, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps this is the wrong place for it,
but I’m wondering about the consequences for overpaying LMA (other than one less helipad on Paul Allen’s yacht).
We’re gonna be over the cap anyway, so no FA signings will be possible. It will make him harder to trade, but sometimes I think that’s overblown. Overpaid guys get traded all the time, and sometimes it helps to have a guy who is overpaid. I mean, it might make sense for us to trade Rudy Fernandez, since we could use a comparable talent at a different position. But he makes so little money that a trade is impossible.
Another thing to consider: we’re small market, and geographically isolated. Furthermore, we play at a slow pace, lowering stats across the board. LMA is less likely to become a big star in Portland than anywhere else (look at how many all-star votes Brandon Roy got last year). We might have to overpay in order to keep him. This is probably a bad argument because we could match whatever is offered next year.
On the other hand, we don’t know what will be offered next year. We do know that a number of teams are situating themselves for the LeBron/Bosh/Wade sweepstakes. The losers are going to have a lot of cap space to spend on scraps. If LMA plays well this year, he could very well get a max offer next year.
I still think that we overpaid. But not by that much, and again I’m not convinced this really hurts the Blazers. But I’m the furthest thing from a salary cap guru, so I may have it all wrong.
by shuppatsu on Oct 21, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
well said
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Oct 21, 2009 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like it shuppastsu, you make smart words.
But still…. you want to go to war with this guy? The one thing he does well is the least efficient thing in basketball.
by begottenson on Oct 22, 2009 12:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have it all right, not all wrong
Since we’ll be in luxury tax zone in two years anyway, it’s just a question of how much Paul Allen wants to spend, and apparently he’s willing to spend this much.
I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.
by jscot on Oct 22, 2009 12:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see it harming anything
As long as he doesn’t get hurt, a young (he’ll be young at the end of his deal as well, in his prime), long, skilled big man will always be tradeable.
Broken down 20+ million man Jermaine O’Neal has been easily moved time and time again. LMA making 16 million at the end of his contract will be moveable, even if he suffers from multiple injuries.
This isn’t an anchor on any possible cap space, and it’s the going rate for a skilled young big with a Paul Allen bump. This isn’t an albatross.
HEDO’s contract would be an albatross. LMA, even if he never improves, has a standard contract for what he is.
It’s not that he DESERVES that much for what he does, but more what he is and the position he plays and his age.
Mortimer
by Mortimer on Oct 21, 2009 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, that could correct itself this year
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll also take this opportunity to remind Bill of his own brilliant trade suggestion
TRADE 1A: Portland trades Raef LaFrentz, LaMarcus Aldridge, the rights to Rudy Fernandez, $3 million and a 2008 No. 1 (top-3 protected) to Memphis for Mike Conley Jr., Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and a 2008 No. 2.
…
Why Portland does it: I like Aldridge, but you have to admit that (A) he’s probably one of those 17-and-8 guys who won’t ever make an All-Star team, and (B) Oden makes him completely and totally expendable next season. Besides, you have to give up something to get something, right? With Fernandez, the Blazers would be selling high on a good prospect who hasn’t played against superior competition yet. Meanwhile, Mike Miller gives them an elite shooter and a second option at crunch time, and by reuniting Conley and Oden, they’d be set for the next 12 years. Imagine a foundation of Oden, Conley, Miller and Brandon Roy? Now THAT would be interesting. I love this trade for Portland.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons&entryDate=20080220
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
vomit...taste...in mouth...
"We're going to play the right way. It ain't about you. It's about us. We can be successful if we play together. And that's what it's about. In this league, playing hard, playing together. Your numbers shouldn't matter." - Coach McMillan
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 21, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What do you expect from a Clipper fan?
Low self esteem.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Oct 21, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He must have been hoping
that Wallace would turn around and trade LMA and Rudy to the Celtics for Big Baby.
Right now, Chris Wallace is instead trying to acquire Sheed from Boston. Or I suspect as much…
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Oct 21, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That 2008 No. 1 became Bayless, for those of you keeping track at home.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow
If KP had traded LMA, RLEC, Rudy, and the pick that became Bayless for Conley, Miller and Cardinal, I think I would have given up on the Blazers forever.
That would have made the Pau Gasol trade look downright generous to Memphis
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
by douglast on Oct 21, 2009 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If KP had done that, he'd be a hack for ESPN now
by dprodigy19 on Oct 21, 2009 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Naw - even then he would go to Yahoo
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I just love that he "loves" that trade idea for Portland
And that it’s one of the few posts where he indirectly says Oden will be good (Oden was already injured) while somehow mistaking LaMarcus for a center.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
has anyone ever seen
Bill Simmons and AK1984 at the same time?
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you mean their mother's basement
in Simmon’s case… AK’s mom kicked him out years ago! lol j/k AK1984
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 21, 2009 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
if i recall correctly, AK lives with a grandparent.
(for the record, AK’s list of self-insulting remarks is more longer than my list of insults against him, let anyone think he’s being spoken of behind his back)
by TheTinfoil on Oct 21, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
oh absolutely
I’d never say anything he wouldn’t say about himself. And while he can be abrasive, and he’s the first to admit that, he backs up his assertions and relentlessly posts and counterposts. You have to respect a guy sticking to his guns. And, like on Dante, he does change his mind. An upgrade over BS, no doubt.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 21, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
True. I'd take AK over Simmons
Not to be confused with JK Simmons.
by TheTinfoil on Oct 21, 2009 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I was too hard on Dante Cunningham when Portland first drafted him.
In retrospect, it’s the Jeff Pendergraph selection that I should’ve criticized more fiercely at the time.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But the Jeff Pendergraph makes the smooth comments!
by begottenson on Oct 22, 2009 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Etan Thomas is a renowned poet, but I wouldn't want him on Portland.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 22, 2009 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flagging myself for saying "more longer"
by TheTinfoil on Oct 21, 2009 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
as long as
you aren’t flagging yourself in your mother’s basement…
oh where is TiH when ya need him?
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 21, 2009 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was an awesome punchline, so it's all good in my book.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unlike Bill Simmons, I'm not an out-'n'-out idiot.
I’d love to someday see a braindead owner hand Simmons the keys to his franchise, because watching him crash and burn from afar would be epic.
Regarding that laughably horrid trade proposal linked above that was created by Bill Simmons awhile back, I was never insanely high on Mike Conley, Jr. like him.
Now, if you want to find the biggest difference between Mr. Simmons and I, then look no further than Kevin Durant. Simmons wishes to bear Durant’s children — which is thankfully a medical impossibility — while I think he’s the most overhyped player in the NBA today.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
seeing Mike Miller's name in the trade
that was the tip-off, for me ;^)
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it's kind of ironic that Mike Miller was included in that atrocity.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
REC on the overhype of Durant...
It’s nausiating.
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Oct 21, 2009 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is comedy at its best.
Or worst. I can’t really tell.
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Oct 21, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Screw him
After we win I want Oden to take his ring and shove it in Simmons’ face.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
by skywaker9 on Oct 21, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We ignore trolls don't we? Who care about BS
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simmons
Leave it to Bill Simmons to opine about a player being overpaid when the cap is irrelevant and the owner is a billionaire…
I guess he had to pull away from talking about how David Lee is a top 5 rebounder in the NBA and Kevin Love is going to be valuable for his three point shooting
by dprodigy19 on Oct 21, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the all the gnashing of teeth around here and in the media...
… about Roy and LMA not getting signed quickly enough, its kind of funny they were the 2nd and 3rd people from their class to get paid.
by matthewcc on Oct 21, 2009 5:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Great news!
A couple of months ago, I posted some estimates for what Roy’s max deal could look like and here’s what I came up with (updated now with Aldridge’s numbers of estimated $65 to $70 million as a % of the estimated max):
If BRI for 2009-10 drops by 2.5%, then I estimate that Roy’s max salary will be $78.06 million for 5 years. The salary cap would be an estimated $55.15 million. And Aldridge’s deal would be about 83% to 90% of the max.
If BRI for 2009-10 drops by 5.0%, then I estimate that Roy’s max salary will be $73.47 million for 5 years. The salary cap would be an estimated $52.02 million. And Aldridge’s deal would be about 89% to 95% of the max.
If BRI for 2009-10 drops by 7.5%, then I estimate that Roy’s max salary will be $68.88 million for 5 years. The salary cap would be an estimated $48.90 million. And Aldridge’s deal would be about 94% to 100% of the max.
It would take a really, really big drop in BRI for 2009-10 for this extension for Aldridge to reach a full max level. But, in short, Aldridge just agreed to sign for about 90% of the max. Which is pretty good.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 5:30 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Yeah
I actually predicted $65 million a couple of months ago based on what I read about the negotiations, and that turns out to be apparently the minimum he’ll make.
I actually hope that his contract is structured so that he gets smaller than the ‘standard’ 10.5% raise each year. This would mean he makes more in 2009-10 and 2010-11, but makes a little less in the later years when the team is trying to re-sign the other big name players like Greg and Rudy and Nic (and Jerryd?). Just an issue of cash flow, but it would be nice.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the deal got done. it was only a matter of time. it was never a 'big' story
and Portland’s talking heads are too silly for blowing it out of proportion.
"We're going to play the right way. It ain't about you. It's about us. We can be successful if we play together. And that's what it's about. In this league, playing hard, playing together. Your numbers shouldn't matter." - Coach McMillan
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Oct 21, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the update
Do you think LMA got an opt-out?
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see your reply above - My guess is no
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I REALLY REALLY REALLY hate Bil Simmons.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
by axel360 on Oct 21, 2009 5:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Why bother?
When you can hate replacement refs instead?
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The replacement refs are going away. Bill Simmons isn't.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
by axel360 on Oct 21, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is to me - no clicks mean less money for him
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i do the same with canzano
bayless leaves over my dead body
andre miller>hedo, blake
real.baller
R.A.M.B.O (do it nate, if you are smart)
"I could have killed 'em all, I could kill you. In town you're the law, out here it's me. Don't push it. Don't push it or I'll give you a war you won't believe. Let it (last years starting line-up) go. Let it go."
by thomasikehara on Oct 21, 2009 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When the replacement books write and call it "The Book of Basketball" with that cover, I'll care
by dprodigy19 on Oct 21, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol, Bill Simmons
both are a joke
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
by axel360 on Oct 21, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
based on his twitter update. i bet bill simmons is trying to say that
he would let lma test teh free agent market and that, in this market, no one could offer lma that kind of money. so that it would be possible, in theory, to retain him for the future.
it makes sense to me. the logic of it. but it doesn’t take in to account players feelings and team chemstry.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Teams with cap space missing out on one of the top 3-5 free agents would at least try. Say, the Thunder. Or the Bulls if they let Tyrus walk which would be a bit odd but possible. Blazers would have to match that.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree with you. im just thinking that is what he is saying.
i wonder though. while i agree that lma had to paid this. i wonder if in the future. when, hopefully, oden will deserve a max deal this deal will be a problem.
what do you think?
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think so. The only scenario where this might make problems would be Allen refusing to go (significantly) over the luxury tax in the future to fill out the roster. The team will be over the cap no matter if LaMarcus would have been re-signed for 10 or 14 million per year.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 21, 2009 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya. you are right. most of the contenders go into the cap when its the right time.
good thinking.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, nobody is going to have any money in the summer of 2010
They’re all going to be signing Lebron.
"Its not that I can't read and write, its just that I don't like to read and write."
-Charlie
by ninjasocks on Oct 21, 2009 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
cause he was on the bubble for the contract! you dont risk injury when you are about to sign.
ive seen this millions of times.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i just don't see why he'd fake an injury to get signed again
by portlandgiirl91 on Oct 21, 2009 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
im not hating i would do it too!
its possible hes actually hurt… but just not gonna push it cause its preseason
but WHY he would do it? cause if he ruptured some ligament while negotiations were imminent (sp?) then he loses leverage when things are about to turn the block.
its the same reason why SOME players dont work out that hard in off-seasons they are free agents.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ahhhh okay i see kinda
so since he isn’t officially signed yet he doesn’t feel the need to play i guess? lol
by portlandgiirl91 on Oct 21, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
its the preseason. i think this is as good a time as any to skip playing so not to risk injury.
but maybe hes an acceptation. seems to me this is more common then im making it out to be.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
okay i really gotcha now
he wants to be completely fine for the regular season..if he isn’t ‘faking’
it lol
by portlandgiirl91 on Oct 21, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol He's being sarcastic
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Oct 21, 2009 8:38 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Congratulations Portland Trail Blazers
for stringing Lamarcus out all summer long and then caving to the eventual reality of the situation… but the fans are all happy joy joy so it must be all good now….
congrats to you to LA… you’re now a super-rich athlete… well earned
I did not say this. I am not here.
by bow4meow on Oct 21, 2009 6:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i really doubt the team did all the caving.
You can bet the agent stuck with the max demand until it became clear that Portland wasn’t going there under any circumstances. At that point Aldridge has to decide how much he wants to risk his luck in free agency when all the other teams are bidding over players much better than LMA.
Tinfoil, who negotiates settlements for a living.
by TheTinfoil on Oct 21, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
cant agree
some team out there woulda paid max and forced portlands hand… they knew it and its why he didn’t settle for less. There may be other guys in the NBA who are better then LA right now, but he certainly is an up and coming star
I did not say this. I am not here.
by bow4meow on Oct 21, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
can't agree
no one is paying max in the “Summer of LeBron.” LeBron, Wade, Joe Johnson, Amare, etc all coming up and everyone’s cap falling? Way too risky for LMA, especially since a healthy Greg could eat into his numbers a bit. You don’t leave 65-70 million on the table. You go hard for max, but you cave over 15 mil in favor of the sure thing.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 21, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
edit
no one is paying LMA max
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 21, 2009 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I'd've been totally okay with letting LaMarcus Aldridge test the market as a RFA.
From a vantage point of fiscal prudence, that’d’ve made the most sense. Yet, according to some reports, Aldridge has an oversensitive personality and might’ve been a bit miffed or bent out of shape if he didn’t receive a contract extension this month. Yet, that still doesn’t justify overpaying him by $5 to $10 million.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
'Stringing out' is not the phrase I would use
It’s negotiation. And a unique one given the financially climate, which has been discussed on this board several times over the summer.
Unless you are willing to also say that the Mavericks strung out Nowitzki and Howard, the Timberwolves strung out Garnett and Jefferson, the Pistons strung out Prince, the Pacers strung out Granger, the Lakers strung out Bynum, etc., etc.
I take those examples of negotiations of extensions off of a rookie scale deal that sometimes don’t get done until October. Just like Aldridge’s. But if you want to call them all ‘stringing out’, that’s your prerogative.
"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY
by Storyteller on Oct 21, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's funny you're more upset than LMA himself
:D
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Oct 21, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No i bet this is how it went down
la asks for max
team says no way jose
back and forth back and forth
la realizes that playin free agency will actually net him less money b/c most teams are poor and not looking 2 sign lma , a non allstar, to more than say, 50 mil over 5 years.
back and forth more
LMA signs
this is the way of things i was never worried and i highly doubt it waas the blazers that strung this out, it just happens
The Princess of Blazersedge
It just takes an iron fist to keep the riff raff under control and her princess hand is mad strong- Idoltime
by BlazerFan1 on Oct 21, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Non-all-stars Bogut, Villanueva, and Bargnani (not to speak of Deng and players at other positions) got more than 50 in the last 2 years
I also wasn’t very afraid that LaMarcus would get away, but in a slightly rebounding market when also a number of teams would have saved some money for free agency someone would have offered him quite some more than 50 million. He also might make the all-star game this year, further increasing his price a bit. And psychologically LMA doesn’t seem to be the kind of player who gets motivated by the challenge to play for his contract, rather frustrated that the team would have slighted him when they always said he was a big part of their core. Houston might have gotten the money together for an offer. His hometown Dallas in a sign & trade. OKC. And a few others. That all might have looked attractive to LaMarcus, so it’s better to get it done now even though they certainly paid a premium for locking him up long-term based on his potential and comparison to other big men deals and not based on his stats so far alone.
"I think he can still play" - Kevin Pritchard on Juwan Howard
by Norsktroll on Oct 22, 2009 2:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slightly higher than I think he deserves at this point, but at least it's done.
Hopefully the incentives revolve around rebounding.
by dario argento on Oct 21, 2009 6:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
but how would you like rebounding incentives if you were on a team with Greg and Joel?
I’ll put it this way – if Greg+Joel+LMA=27 boards or more then I’m happy. 30 and I’m ecstatic.
How it breaks down is of less significance to me.
by MadBlaze on Oct 21, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Greg and Joel can do 27 some nights LMA is going to get 7-9 and we are happy
(agreeing with you)
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ben, I'm down here in Eugene
and the mood of this huge crowd — if I can sum it up with just one word is — jubilant! Right after the word came out that LaMarcus had been signed, folks just spontaneously started heading downtown. Now there are people as far as I can see down 6th Ave, and this intersection is packed like a sardine tin.
Parents have their toddlers on their shoulders, and kids have brought their dogs and cats as well. Officials have been circulating around talking over PA systems and urging everyone to remain calm, but the vibe here is really mellow. Everybody is laughing and having a good time.
I’ll try to keep you posted but I may not have ‘net access. I’m just posting this on a borrowed iPhone.
by CatMan2 on Oct 21, 2009 6:28 PM PDT reply actions 6 recs
Cat....have they overturned any cars yet??
"And in the end
The love you take
Is equal to the love you make." -The Beatles
by 92wastheyear on Oct 21, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just got back. Great time, but yeah, there were a few bad apples wantin to harsh the mellow.
Police caught some guys in purple and gold jerseys trying to tip some cars over and start fights. They were escorted to the city limits and told to go back where they came from.
by CatMan2 on Oct 21, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL, green
I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.
by jscot on Oct 22, 2009 12:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, LA, bro
spot me a K. I’m good for it.
by oregonslee on Oct 21, 2009 6:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Simmons has always disliked LMA
This contract is fine
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Oct 21, 2009 6:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
hilarious
I think this is good Bill Simmons isnt very creative and I see where he is coming from, b/c no1 else can sign him for more than what is reported today, the Blazers could have saved a little. But, oh well, PA is rich and I’m happy for LA and his family
Sophia
The Princess of Blazersedge
It just takes an iron fist to keep the riff raff under control and her princess hand is mad strong- Idoltime
by BlazerFan1 on Oct 21, 2009 6:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
ya i aggree with that sentiment.
but bill simmons isn’t taking into account team chemstry and hurting players feelings by letting them hit free agency. that said, i agree with the sentiment.
by mandoman10 on Oct 21, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
do you reallllllllllllly think the players read Simmon's twitter feed and take it personally
? I highly doubt if both of those things occurs
Sophia
The Princess of Blazersedge
It just takes an iron fist to keep the riff raff under control and her princess hand is mad strong- Idoltime
by BlazerFan1 on Oct 21, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree.
i think it’s worth overpaying him a little to protect ourselves from having to fork out a max contract next summer. Seriously, there are going to be some disappointed teams next summer when they dont get Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Amare, etc. I bet half of those guys stay with their teams.
by dario argento on Oct 21, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Great point. I’m happy this is now a non-issue, even if it came at a slight premium – and, like you said, there is a significant chance someone else would have offered LMA more.
I hate Comcast.
Card carrying member of Team Bayless
I believe in Greg Oden
by blazeraddict on Oct 21, 2009 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's worth every cent in the NBA world
Young guys with his size, skills and personality are hard to find. When you get a chance to get a Sheed like player that’s nice to boot, you gotta do it.
by oregonslee on Oct 21, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rasheed Wallace plays this thing ... what's it called again? ... oh yeah, that's right, defense.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so what you're saying
is there’s no D in Alrige?
LMA has some quick feet and is a better perimeter defender than in the post (which is why I went out on a limb and suggested a 3-4-5 rotation with LMA-Millsap-C, back in July) ‘Sheed is a superior team defender: he’s very vocal re: calling out screens and disrupting what the other team is trying to do. All of the Portland players need to take a page out of this book, especially the 2 guys who got their big paydays this summer…
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"(which is why I [...]suggested a 3-4-5 rotation with LMA-Millsap-C, back in July)"
Before the three-point line entered the game, a team could get away with that — as the Portland Trail Blazers did with Tom Owens at C, Maurice Lucas/Kermit Washington at PF, and Mychal Thompson at SF in the late-‘70s/early-’80s — nowadays, however, floor spacing is of the utmost improtance. As a result, Paul Milsap and LaMarcus Aldridge paired together at the forward positions would’ve stagnated the offense—especially in Nate McMillan’s system.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the problem is that outscoring your opponent is the key
and LMA did that better than all but 2 other PF’s in the NBA, last season. His net offense/defense is outstanding.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
correction
the Blazers were second in net productivity at the 4 position, behind only Dallas.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Outscoring your opponent’s TEAM is the key. If outscoring your individual matchup were the key Kobe Bryant would have several more rings.
I'm on your bandwagon. Eating your nachos.
by Fanboi on Oct 22, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, it wasn't a starting lineup
I was just looking for a hypothetical way to get Millsap 32 mpg, by playing LMA at the “3” for 5-6 minutes a half against the other team’s backup SF
Ahhh, what might have been…
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully this is a little jolt of positivity than can spark some on court production.
#88<#23<#25
by The Pirate on Oct 21, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I do not think LMA lacked effort or production
I am happy if his defense continues to improve.
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 21, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and rebounding
he’s being paid like a 20-10 guy…so let’s see some 20-10 production
Even Mychal Thompson did it, one year
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1982.html
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not many teams have 2 or 3 double digit rebounders
The numbers are not the point. I do agree that LMA can get better blocking out. But he doesn’t need 10 rebounds with Greg and Joel. Greg likely will take at least 3 a game away from him!
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 22, 2009 12:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rip City can rest easy!
Amazing news
Columbus til I die, Columbus til I die. I know I am, I swear I am, Columbus til I die!
by BLAZER_FAN_199 on Oct 21, 2009 7:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It's an okay contract
I’m not thrilled with it, but it’s as much a function of timing as anything. If he had been an RFA this offseason, he would have been stuck accepting the same type of below market deal that Paul Millsap got. If we’re honest with ourselves, is LA really worth nearly double Millsap? Half again as much as Lee? They were just looking for deals in a crappy market while we were risking LA looking for a deal in a seller’s market.
I’m still not completely sold on him as anything more than a 3rd banana on a championship teams, but the past two championships were won with guys making more than this as their number 3 guys. Still, if Oden makes the leap we all expect this year and PA pays up for him then we’ll have some pretty tight finances to deal with.
by Royster on Oct 21, 2009 7:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
yes
He is not Bosh but he is closer by far than Lee or Millsap. I wasn’t at the game last night but it sounded like Millsap was not very good even without LMA. If Millsap were in LMA’s class would he be signing in Portland?
The other factor is that narrow line of team cohesiveness. Roy seems to regard LMA as his co-leader and went to bat for the return of the offense through LMA this month. I don’t think Lee would settle for long term money below $10M/yr and he will probably get that next summer.
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 22, 2009 12:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Millsap has been playing for 3 full years now
I think it’s more appropriate to judge his play based on his entire career than a single preseason game. Heck, you could make the same argument about Roy these days, he’s looked pretty bad all preseason, are we regretting signing him to a long term deal?
The gap in their paychecks is far greater than the gap in their talent levels is the point I was trying to make. LaMarcus is basically making nearly Bosh money while Millsap is making Martell money, pretty much. Both are young PFs who had some brief all star buzz last year (though neither deserved to be anywhere near the game) and one is getting paid double the other.
by Royster on Oct 22, 2009 1:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Millsap is making $8 million a year
Martell is making $5 million a year, I think.
LMA’s contract is double because it goes for five year rather than four.
I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.
by jscot on Oct 22, 2009 2:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Obviously they're not exactly the same
LA also isn’t making quite as much as Bosh, but they’re in the same ballpark as the guys I mentioned who were the closest approximations off the top of my head. Technically it’d be more accurate to say Millsap is making Miller money, if that helps.
by Royster on Oct 22, 2009 6:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Miller is a much better comparison
Millsap is actually just about halfway between Martell and LMA.
I don’t think gap in talent level is the best way to look at it, though. LMA is a much better fit with Oden than Millsap would be. Therefore, he is quite a bit more valuable to this team, and his agent knows that.
Replacement cost would be very high. The only guy out there who is really comparable as far as having a good jump shot, length, and ability to run the court is perhaps Bosh. We aren’t getting Bosh.
The only way we could replace LMA with someone anywhere near as good is to trade away very valuable players. The alternative was to burn a little extra of PA’s money, and he seems content to do that.
I can tell you how to make an Excel spreadsheet that proves Portland wins 62 games this year.
by jscot on Oct 22, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, Millsap's contract is a pretty phenomenal value at this point, and LMA's is a bit steep
If he’d ended up a Blazer I would have loved to trade LMA for Devin Harris in my pipe dream fantasy world.
by jksnake99 on Oct 22, 2009 2:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would've kept 'em both, and played LMA "some" at the 3
’cause I like big/tall/long talented lineups, especially in the playoffs
(so do the L*kers, BTW)
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 22, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Basically, this is a very, very good day for the Blazers franchise.
The two biggest pieces to a championship puzzle are now signed and locked in for the next half-decade. Roy was clearly worth the max and while this might be a slight overpayment for LA, it’s not like he doesn’t have the skill to be more than worth it. I think Simmons underestimates two things when it comes to this deal. First, he sees the raw numbers on Aldridge and thinks the same thing most other people do. He isn’t rebounding the way someone with his size, length and athleticism should. That’s a fair point, but it’s hardly a reason to jerk him around on the deal too much. Second, he doesn’t understand how badly Blazer fans wanted him signed. They see the potential and would pitch an unholy fit if he were to not be signed to a long term deal before someone else offered him a qualifier in free agency. They simply had to act and this deal is probably fair to both sides.
Yes! Yes! In the face!
by LeafHawk on Oct 21, 2009 7:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
LMA is a very good 3rd option on a championship team but i cant seem him being that go to guy like dirk or garnett, bosh, or gasol are for their respective teams. Also, just because the city wanted him doesnt mean we should over pay him. I dont think he is extremely over paid, but i believe he recieved too much. If this signing interferes with keeping rudy, batum, joel, or others, i dont think it is worth it (and i think its certain it will). Im glad we still have him for 5 more years, but wish we could have gotten him for around 60 Mil max.
Or he can step up his inside game, rebounding, defense, and overall toughness and i will retract saying he wasnt worth the money..
by dbartha on Oct 21, 2009 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he were Dirk or Garnett or Bosh,
He’d be a number 1 option instead of a number 2 option. I see a number three option as a Richard Jefferson type player, and I’m convinced that Aldridge is a level above Jefferson, even with his weaknesses. Those weaknesses prevent him from being a number one option (that and Brandon Roy), but they are more tolerable in someone who is not expected to be that kind of option. His weaknesses we’re able to cover pretty well, or at least we were last season. And his strengths are definitely worth having on this team. I’m okay with the contract for that reason. In a vacuum, 65 million might be too much, but with a team that has been built (somewhat) around him to accentuate his strengths and cover his weaknesses, I think the amount he’s overpaid is fairly negligible.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
by T Darkstar on Oct 21, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Like I said last week
LMA could be a “James Worthy” kind of #3 option
Brandon = Magic
Greg = Kareem
Worthy made some big shots, but when Earvin had to retire James didn’t have the all-around game to make his teammates better
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think LMA can be the 2nd best player on a title team unless the #1 is on LeBron's level
Roy is clearly a big step down from LeBron, so we’re going to need Oden to be a defensive anchor and a productive, efficient offensive player. Aldridge needs to be the 3rd best player (albeit possibly the #2 offensive option) if we are going to win a title. With that in mind, this contract is clearly above his value, but its not a disastrous contract or anything like that.
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, a prime example of that is how David West is a mediocre #2 playing beside a legit ...
superstar in Chris Paul, but the team is stuck at being just above average. On the other hand, though, Pau Gasol is a true #2 option on a championship team, which he proved valiantly last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Even though some people don’t want to hear it, Aldridge is on the same tier as West and not Gasol.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the plan has been for Oden to be #2 all along though.
"If the Lakers are Hollywood, then we are South Central." - Clipper fan.
by Cablinasian on Oct 21, 2009 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
And I think he and Roy will be 1A and 1B eventually.
M—
by Mortimer on Oct 21, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matchups
A closer look at how the Blazers won games last year tells us that we did real good matching up at the 2/3/4 positions.
Perhaps the chemical equation of the day is whether adding 5 to the series degrades the advantages we leveraged last season – especially the dominant advantages at the 2/4 positions.
Also, since the Blazers were only neutral at the 1 (actually – slightly negative), does attempting to upgrade that position cost us anything at the other 4????
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
factual information does not support your position
LMA ranked 8th in the NBA and 5th in in the WEST in PER – which, as we all know – is a blunt-edged knife for measuring offensive efficiency.
However, if you compare how opponents performed against LMA vs. his own production, you would discover that LMA provided the Blazers the 2nd best on-court advantage at that position in the entire NBA, behind only Dallas. Of course, that stat has Duncan playing the 5, but still – LMA is in fact a serious advantage Blazers.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 21, 2009 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LMA does a solid job of limiting the opposing PF
However, PER doesn’t penalize him enough for his inefficient shooting— other advanced metrics do this better (wages of wins says he’s a below average PF, which goes too far, but metrics like WARP are more in line with reason)- and he is a remarkably bad help defender/basket protector— a fault that doesn’t show up in the opposing PFs because it leads to easy buckets by opposing guards (these are often blamed on perimeter defense by Blazer fans but could be prevented if LMA wasn’t so dang lazy about protecting the rim).
by jksnake99 on Oct 21, 2009 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calling LMA "lazy" fails to account for the Blazer system
When the guards play “ole” and the bigs have to rotate – layups and dunks are created rather than prevented. It doesn’t matter which big rotates – someone is open because the guards (point guards) are very lazy about rotating back to cover the passing lane.
In the Blazer system, our centers had a poor Net PER in a large part because it is almost always the center that plays goalie – not the PF.
by blacknoiseNW on Oct 22, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're paying above the market rate. The calculated risk would have been to face a max offer from Mark Cuban...
But they could have had him for $10-11M if they played their cards right and let him go the RFA route.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
by timbo on Oct 21, 2009 8:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Dallas Mavericks wouldn't've had enough cap room to fax LaMarcus Aldridge a maximum-level ...
offer sheet — which’d’ve been for five seasons and had 8% annual raises — next summer. However, it’s true that some low-end franchise like the Oklahoma City Thunder certainly could’ve pulled that stunt.
Either way, though, I’d’ve taken my chances with letting LaMarcus Aldridge test the market as a RFA next year instead of overpaying now, even if it meant him pouting in the meantime after hurting his supposedly fragile ego.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 21, 2009 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chemistry
I like this deal because it shows that Portland was not going to screw around over $2-3 million dollars a year. They gave him a fiar deal, made him a happy man and showed the team that they are committed for a championship run.
by da34shadow on Oct 21, 2009 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
An underrated factor to me as well
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 22, 2009 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As a basketball fan looking at this from a completely unbiased perspective
I agree with many posters here who think Portland overpaid.
What is Aldridge’s ceiling? If he’s a future 10 year all star, then this is a good deal (in today’s economy). But if LaMarcus maybe has one all star year and Portland’s hands are forever tied from going after other high priced FA’s, then this is a very bad deal which so many other NBA teams have regretted doing.
This is coming from a Bull’s fan who is seeing first hand what a bad contract (Luol Deng) can do.
"Derrick Rose is like a $500,000 Maybach parked in the driveway of a $200,000 house in the middle of nowhere" - Bill Simmons
by RogersPark Kris on Oct 21, 2009 8:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Portland isn't going to be going after any high priced free agents for a while.
With Roy’s contract, Miller’s, and Oden’s contract coming up, along with Rudy’s, Batum’s and others, We’re going to be in luxury tax hell for a long time with or without Aldridge’s contract. Fortunately, we have an owner willing to pay it to put a winning product on the floor. No offense, but the Bulls haven’t seemed willing to do that, even with Deng’s horrible contract.
I do understand that Aldridge may very well be overpaid. But at least he knows that the Blazers’ want him to be a part of what happens, whether good or bad. And that can be important. Personally, I think Aldridge will be an All-Star, but it will take a lot to make it within the next couple of years. Some of the crowd at his position needs to thin out. In a few years down the road, I can see two or three for him.
μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.
by T Darkstar on Oct 21, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The simple question is - how are you going to replace him?
Some don’t pan out but you have to try. With Roy and Oden Portland will likely never have free agent money and never have a high draft pick.
Thinking in terms of replacement cost (much worse talent) there is no way you don’t pay the man.
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 22, 2009 1:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
FYI Ben...
(Unless this has changed since I last saw a print copy of the paper last weekend…) Smith writes for The Columbian, not The Vancouver Columbian…
Jus’ sayin’…
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Oct 21, 2009 9:04 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I'm very happy with this
one thing I noticed about Aldridge last year was how much attention other teams paid to him on offense. Double teams on him were regular occurrences, a healthy sign of respect from other teams
And with the exception of Game 1 and maybe Game 3, he had as solid a series as anyone did for Portland last year. I think that bodes well
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
by Honka Playboy on Oct 21, 2009 9:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My theory on why Simmons is down on Aldridge
Because Simmons (a Clippers season ticket holder) watched Zach Randolph square off against him, and Z-Bo really liked to take it to the Blazers. Simmons thought it was because Aldridge isn’t very good, but the reality is that Zach was actually motivated for once.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exOxUAntx8I&feature=channel_page
by The Cactus Leaguer on Oct 21, 2009 10:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
man, Randolph really killed us last year.
LaMarcus does struggle against players with strong post games. He has all this upper body strength, but he gets bumped too easily. Not really his fault; just his body type.
by shuppatsu on Oct 21, 2009 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Acerbic comments
towards your comment.
by begottenson on Oct 22, 2009 12:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too much money
Which power forward led its team to a chamionship? Paying 85% for a player who plays at max level 50% of the time is too much.
by Sound_Automatic on Oct 21, 2009 11:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Tim Duncan
/Endthread
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Oct 21, 2009 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A couple of guys
named Duncan and Garnett
you can call ’em “centers” if you want to, but neither are true post players
but I agree LMA has to improve a lot, especially at the defensive end, to earn his contract. If he coasts, fans need to let him know about it. He’s a prideful guy, so maybe a salty Rose Garden crowd can “shame him” into becoming a complete BB player
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 21, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
how exactly is Duncan not a true post player?
by jksnake99 on Oct 22, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
face up
shoot the jumper off the glass from 12 feet away, left of the paint
rinse, repeat
Tim defends the paint well, but his “at the basket” offensive game is mostly set up by others, now. It didn’t used to be that way, but the Spurs know how to use him effectively without wearing him out
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 22, 2009 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"shoot the jumper off the glass from 12 feet away, left of the paint"
one word – Wilt
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 22, 2009 1:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the big fundamental
at least Timmy can shoot FTs, except when he gets the yips
When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Oct 22, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tim Duncan is a center through and through, although Kevin Garnett is a premier power forward.
Garnett is such a special, special player, though, and he accomplished something that wasn’t done by the top power forwards from the prior era — here’s to looking at Karl Malone and Charles Barkley — due to playing superb defense on the whole.
Stupid people have stupid ideas.
by AK1984 on Oct 22, 2009 1:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garnett's albatross was his finance-killing contract
Leading Minnesota to never have enough money to pay another star. Boston hit the perfect storm in Allen and Garnett at the same time and later enough in their careers that their personal stats could take a backseat.
I do agree that Kevin belongs in the conversation with the best PF’s of the last 20 years.
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 22, 2009 1:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fair comparison
Between deng and aldridge. I really like luol, but like LMA he will lead no person and have an uneven contribution (large ups and downs).
by Sound_Automatic on Oct 21, 2009 11:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The one factor some posters seem to miss is Replacement Cost
The Blazers had no way to replace :LMA’s talent. With Roy and Oden they will not have free agent money and will not have a high draft pick for years to come. We are not going to get Chris Bosh on a sign and trade for our extra pieces.
He may not be the prototypical PF but that works to our advantage as well. He is unguardable by any one PF except maybe Garnett and Bosh. He is faster than both. He actually was a better offensive rebounder than Bosh and much better than Garnett while playing with better rebounding centers than either of those players.
LaMarcus also would not have an opportunity with most other teams that he has here with Roy and Oden.
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
by lee3022 on Oct 22, 2009 1:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Regarding this quote:
The incomparable Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports just tweeted…
I’d compare him to the fat guy (Newman) from Jurassic Park, Sarah Michelle Gellar in Cruel Intentions, or Matt Damon in The Departed.
And regarding Kelly Dwyer’s preview. I was surprised it just wasn’t a list of the ten best Blazers currently on the roster.
by tominhawaii on Oct 22, 2009 7:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Dwyer said in one of his recent chats how much he hated the lists. Worst thing ever, pretty much. Tons of work, everyone hates them, he ends up spending hours carefully making a list and then the jackyls rip it apart.
Never again shall he make top 10 lists.
I thought of you when I read it.
M—
by Mortimer on Oct 22, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eh I think we overpaid a bit for Aldridge, but I also don’t think we had many other good options. I’m not a big fan of his game, as I prefer strong, tough, defenders with a good inside game at the PF position. I don’t care much if he outperforms his individual opponent, I keep seeing that stat and I really just don’t care about it. We lost a lot of games by playing poor defense, jacking up low percentage shots and not drawing fouls, the PF is in a position to make a big difference in those areas.
But all in all, we pretty much had to do the deal, so I’m happy, we’ll work with what we got. I was expecting Oden to be the #3 option when we drafted him, but he looks to be developing well so it’s possible we could bump LA to #3 and have Oden as #2 eventually. Whatever happens, I’m pretty happy, LA showed a big improvement to his toughness last year so all looks promising.
I'm on your bandwagon. Eating your nachos.
by Fanboi on Oct 22, 2009 1:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think this is a great signing. I think LMA is so important to this team and its nice to have the extension completed before the season starts so the team didn’t have that hanging over their heads too. Now they can figure out the whole PG situation and have that being the only thing they have to worry about. KP has to keep the nucleus of this team together and he took a huge step in doing that yesterday.
by CincyBlazerFan7180 on Oct 23, 2009 5:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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