Aldridge: Chairman of the boards?

by hawkblogger on Nov 10, 2009 9:19 PM PST Comment 28 comments

The much-maligned toughness of LaMarcus Aldridge always seems to come back to his below average rebounding total for the power forward position. Don't look now, but our little boy may be growing up.

Aldridge's last four games have gone like this:

ATL: 14 rebounds

SA: 5 rebounds

MIN: 12 rebounds

MEM: 10 rebounds

That works out to an average of 10.25 rebounds over the last four games. Yes, small sample size and all that, but can anyone remember any four game stretch in LMA's entire career when he has averaged over 10 boards? You have to start somewhere, and my question to the community is:

Why is this happening now? Credit LMA? Credit Greg or others that are drawing more attention? Credit luck? Perhaps you think it's the matchups?

I'd love to trade theories with folks.

Poll

Will LMA average over 9 boards this season?

Yes

99 votes

No

73 votes

172 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 28 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

He scrapped quite a bit

Oden will often get two people trying to box him out, or he will box 2 out, freeing up LMA or a guard. Also, if we do play faster, there will be more opportunities to rebound.

Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash

by HurraKane212 on Nov 10, 2009 9:24 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

+1

LMA is putting forth a great effort, and Greg’s size demands attention from the opponent. Aldridge should feast on rebounds this season

I hate Comcast
Card carrying member of Team Bayless
I need to stop being so hard on Steve Blake. Even though I'd rather see him as a top 5 backup PG than an undersized starting SG, he's a Bazer, he works hard, he has earned respect.

by blazeraddict on Nov 10, 2009 9:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The more Oden plays (especially like he did today, eating the Twolves lunch infront of them)

the more LMA will clean up the weak side. However, Oden doesn’t miss very many in close.

by lurtsman on Nov 11, 2009 8:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I voted no.

I hope I’m wrong.

Towards the end of last season he was beasting it up.

After a slow start for him this year, I also hope he’s reverting to the beasting of last year
.

An offensive rebound in paragraph form. -Mr. Golliver

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Nov 10, 2009 9:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think you credit GO somewhat

But also LMA for learning how to take advantage of what GO does. When GO boxed Gasol out tonight, LMA was right there to grab the board.

But also, I see LMA in there scrapping more these days. We’re starting to see the emergence of the Twin Towers that KP envisioned when he picked GO. These two seven footers were made for each other—just like Robinson & Duncan. I said so in a letter to The Oregonian prior to the Oden draft. Not that it took any basketball genius to see that. Two intelligent, unselfish bigs who can seriously run, block shots, rebound, & score: there’s a potential synergy there that spells championships. There: I said it.

Oh, and did I mention: coming off the bench you’ve got arguably the best back-up center in the league. That’s just a nightmare for opponents. If they can’t get Portland’s bigs in foul trouble, there’s just no way they can win.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Nov 10, 2009 9:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

and couple that with the passing acumen Oden has flashed, and we are seeing the beginning stages of a potentially devastating high-low tandem

by blazeraddict on Nov 10, 2009 9:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's funny...

…Way back in GO’s first summer league games (prior to his “lost season”), we saw a bit of nifty passing from him, and even some nice high-low action with LMA. But it’s taken until now, with the Miller-Blake-Roy starting line-up, for that passing ability to really show in regular season games. Exciting stuff, and it’s just the beginning!

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Nov 10, 2009 9:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also: back then GO and LMA themselves said they intended to pattern themselves after Robinson/Duncan

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Nov 10, 2009 9:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That dive Miller has run the last two games

is just fun to watch, Greg is really growing into his game. He’s going to draw doubles based on physical matchups alone, so I like his development in this facet of the game

by blazeraddict on Nov 10, 2009 10:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

more people on this team need to learn to cut to the basket

really only Miller and Rudy do it. The others need to follow suit, and everyone needs to look for it.

And once again, we missed Oden WIDE open in the lane for a dunk more than once. And we missed Rudy on a back door ally oop as well. we aren’t going to see them all, but we should see more than we do. part of that is a product of familarity and routine – once people start cutting to the basket more often, the others will start looking for it more often.

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 Nov 10, 2009 11:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, still miessing Greg....

Did you see the play where Blake had it left corner, and GO flashed into the lane, waving his arms like a windmill, but alas, he had to back out before he got called for 3…

It’ll come. The good news is GO is looking for the ball. The great news is Dre (and BRoy last night, two nice low post feeds) is looking for him. The awesome news is that the big man is 21, and is finally looking like he may reach the lofty goals we all have for him….

by Visionary2 on Nov 11, 2009 9:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Martell's been doing it a little better this year as well

not as much as the guys you mentioned, but some. Really, is it any coincidece, though that the guy always receiving dumps under the basket from Greg is Andre?

by Royster on Nov 11, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Our other players are not used to playing with a center

who handles the ball, particularly one who brings a double team

by lurtsman on Nov 11, 2009 8:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

similar "give and go" combos from Blazer history

Drexler to Buck Williams (Clyde would post up, Buck would dive and get the pass)

Sabonis to Rod Strickland (Sabas’ back door passes were magical)

It’s great to see Greg and Andre develop this, so quickly

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Nov 11, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

BTW, I voted "no" on the poll

I expect LMA to average 8 or 9 boards. With GO & Przy both averaging at least as many, that’s plenty.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Nov 10, 2009 9:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think LMA will average 9 boards for the season. He just looks hungrier for them this year.

by dario argento on Nov 10, 2009 10:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Some of the early games had me worried...

but his recent performances have added nicely to my signature!

I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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
25:24 Mins, 5-11 FGs, 9-9 FTs, +12, 5 Off, 10 Rebs, 3 Ast, 19 Points!!!! LMA vs Puppies 11-8-09
37:37 Mins, 7-12 FGs, 2-2 FTs, +18 12 Rebs, 3 3 Ast, 1 Stl 2 Blk 16 Points!!!! LMA vs Grizz 11-10-09

by LaMarvelous on Nov 10, 2009 10:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

LMA doing great!

But he and Oden should watch the Gasol/Randolph high/low game to learn some tips.

*Unless KP has a secret plan that makes this statement incorrect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>

by staylost on Nov 10, 2009 10:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I really like Marc Gasol

He’s got a mature game and passing skills. Z-bo has got to like playing with a decent big man as well. A big guy that gets him the rock and also covers his butt on defense. Those two can really gobble up the boards as well.

"Do me a favor. Put your lip over your head... and swallow." Max Goldman

by clinchmobb on Nov 10, 2009 11:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

no but close

Dictated, not read. The management.

by Samsara on Nov 10, 2009 11:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Where is Snake?

Love.

by L-TrainFTW! on Nov 11, 2009 1:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm here

I’m one of the “no” votes.

by jksnake99 on Nov 11, 2009 1:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tough Call

I want to vote yes but I tend to think he will even out at around 8-8.5 a game. Who knows though? If Greg and Joel continue to struggle with fouls, he may be forced to stay home on the defensive boards.

PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04

by tssbro on Nov 11, 2009 5:26 AM PST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

and lots of it motivates many.

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

"New Man Law: If you don't show up for the draft you don't get to come later if you're picked. If you believe in yourself, show up and sit there. If nobody else believes in you, take it and cry like a man...in front of the cameras."

-Dave

by faith on Nov 11, 2009 6:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

LaMarcus is ballin

Much better effort than the first coupla games

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Nov 11, 2009 6:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

All Star Forewards should rebound

by prof.mike on Nov 11, 2009 7:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Aldridge is a good player

He does a lot of great things for this team. But, man, I’d just love to see him develop some stronger moves with his back to the basket. His fade-away is a great shot, but he relies on it way too much. And I can do without the one pass, contested outside shot from Aldridge possessions.

On the other hand, it will be a great asset over the coming years to have a starting power forward who can knock down shots at a high percentage. If its within the structure of the offense, he will give other team’s defenses fits (just as soon as the Blazers start running an offense that makes defenses rotate.)

by goblazer1 on Nov 11, 2009 8:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree eventually those guys are going to anticipate the fadeaway

I’m shocked they haven’t already. Even so, LMA with his long arms is still going to be able to get his shot off. But once he learns some fakes and some dipsy doos and stuff, look out. I keep hoping LMA will be the player Sheed should have been.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Nov 11, 2009 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs