Aldridge needs sarcasm & Outlaw sets career mark
by hawkblogger on Mar 27, 2009 9:02 AM PDT
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PrintThere is no real central theme to this fanpost. I'm still basking in the glow of last night's game and had two things I needed to get off my chest.
1. I haven't seen anybody mention it, but Travis Outlaw had a career-high five assists last night.
Five assists! If that doesn't illustrate what kind of game they played, I don't know what does.
2. I have some really solid advice for how LMA can handle the "soft" label
I took note that LMA was dominating last night and getting relatively little hype from the TNT folks. Harlan and Collins were complimentary, but far from gushing, and last night was a gushing performance. Kenny Smith went as far as to say Travis Outlaw was his second favorite Blazer twice last night. The second time, Chris Webber said, what about Aldridge? No answer. Barkley notably never says anything about Aldridge. It seems like LMA has gotten the reputation as a "Duncan-like" character who may be a good baller, but peers don't respect them because of their clean cut demeanor.
I'd love to see LMA own that a little more. To date, he just gets mad when Quick or others mention the "soft" label. Instead, I want to see him embrace it. Mention it constantly. When Cheryl Miller interviews him about his dominant game, I want to hear, "I just do what I can as a soft player."
Miller: "Soft? What about those three blocks and thunderous dunks?"
LMA: "Yeah, it's got to be hard to have a soft player do that to you."
You get the point. Have some fun with it. I guarantee it will change the way people look at him without him having to change who he is or how he plays.
I have noticed far more dunks and rebounds in the second half of this season, so the tough play is coming along just fine.
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Aldridge needs to do this every game
Then he’ll get the respect of the national guys. A couple weeks back I begged on here for him to go for 40 points just to get some cred. There is no reason why he shouldn’t average 25 point a game… Nobody can guard him! He is fully capable of scoring, and his team appears happy to give him the ball, but he has a tendency to fade in the fourth quarter, and not be as assertive in the second half in general. As of right now, he is our best first quarter player. LMA has the most upside of any player on the Blazers, and hopefully we see some truly dominating performances (like this one) to finish the season and in the playoffs.
Roy needs to give some of his points to LMA
Outlaw needs to give some of his 4th quarter points to LMA
End of story, this needs to happen….
Having an unstoppable post player trumps any other type of scoring…
That is, if we want to win a championship and all…
by two buck chuck on Mar 27, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Umma
LMA could average 6 in the 4th, top couple in the NBA for bigs, and still not average anywhere close to 25 a game.
I’m all for shipping Outlaw/PG/Drafts for a PG and a backup banger PF so that LA can get more shots, but let’s be realistic. LA/Roy/Webster/Rudy/Oden are not going to average what they could if they played on another team.
how does a back-up banger PF allow Lamarcus more shots?
thats tripping me out
I AM A PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS SUPPORTER.
yeah lost me...
LMA wouldn’t fade if he played 33 min…too many…
"Sergio and I obtained chalupas to understand their power. Then Sergio showed that each one has 427 calories and 27 grams of fat. Leaping upwards, we reviled the accursed chalupa and its pressure. – Rudy Fernandez
Point is, I think, that losing Outlaw would open up more shots for LMA in the second half...
……………………… the PG and Cruncher Backup 4 being the missing pieces of the team that would be obtained for Annie’s Beloved Baby Boy — not really affecting LMA’s possibilities in and of themselves.
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
I respect your opinions, but I will say that 29 points should NOT be this guy's season high...
Maybe not average 25 for a season, but at least have some signiture games, ala Amare where he dominates. Kind of like Broy, where he’s having a game and everyone gets out of the way… What I think this would do is open the game up for our guards because opposing teams will be forced to double LMA… LMA deserves the double team
by two buck chuck on Mar 27, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
and no, I don’t want to get rid of any of the players you mention, including outlaw..
by two buck chuck on Mar 27, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
somewhat agree
but I will say this, for all the time the team spends calling plays and working the ball into him in the first half, they do quite the opposite usually in the 2nd half. You can say he disappears in the 4th quarter, but I don’t think most of that is on him. He starts the 4th after playing all of the 3rd, then comes out around the 10 minute mark. He usually goes back in with about 6 minutes left in the game, by which point our offense has moved almost entirely into Roy high Iso mode, mixed in with high pick at the 3pt line for Roy. In short, we rarely ever go to him in the post in the 4th.
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
I have always been intrigued by the beginning of halves.
I think it’s a measure of coaches’ ability to make adjustments and players’ ability to implement them. That makes it all about communication and learning under pressure and professionalism. The Blazers have long impressed me in the first few minutes of the second half, and you just caused me to notice that we run our offense through LaMarcus more then than other times. His humility and comfortableness serving as a supporting player (the anti-ZBo if you will) hurts his leaguewide cred, but it has helped launch the Legend of Broy and will serve Greg in equally good stead. We are so very lucky to have the core we do. Thank you again Paul and KP.
Bedge or go home.
by Ojala John on Mar 27, 2009 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
now if we could apply that to the start of the 1st half more consistently....
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
by RenoBlazerFan on Mar 27, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I wish the Bobcats
had never hired Larry Brown.
Until that awful day, you could always count on at least one post each week from tominhawaii in which he advocated that the Blazers replace Nate with Larry Brown. The posts were always eloquent, witty and on point; a real joy to read. In fact, Michael Jordan was probably reading them over in Charlotte. But ever since LB signed with the Bobcats, tominhawaii’s game has suffered horribly. Without the keen focus that Larry Brown supplied for his writing talents, tom’s lost his mojo.
He’s gotten soft.
and just as smelly
Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards
That smell can last a long time.... :)
j/k
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
36:12 Mins, 11-16 FGs, 7-8 FTs, +22, 3 Off, 12 Rebs, 2 Ast, 3 Blks, 29 Points!!! LMA vs Suns 3-26-09
lamarcus is becoming incredible... almost every night now
and look how far outlaw has come. 5 assists! one of them was highlight-worthy — the alley-oop he redirected to roy — but there were so many highlight-worthy plays it was soon forgotten.
this may soon be a truly spectacular team.
ignacio
maybe 7 years
Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards
Zach was a black hole
Outlaw would pass more if he knew how and to whom. It’s not his strenght and I don’t hold that against him. He does excellent at what he does.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
I will take a Duncan esqe figure for our team
Over someone “hard”
i like that he has lots of shiny rings
and hope that Aldridge has more.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
I would settle for
LMA to not be so nervous when it is interviewed. Stop rushing his answers like he wants to get away, and just be himself. The only good interview on the Blazers right now is Frye, he loves being in front of the camera, watching him get the half-time interview of the Cavs game was great.
Travis slays me
with his giddy country boy self… especially after a good win..
LA just needs to be more open. but i read in an article awhile back he has trust issues and isnt really a people person.
It was "mascot night" at the Rose Garden, which apparently translates to a dozen inflatable versions of various NBA mascots being chased around the arena by Portland's "Blaze", which is some breed of rapist dog. -PostingandToasting
by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 27, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
you wouldn't be nervous on TV with Cheryl Miller, the greatest chick-baller of all time?
or with Haarlow, your not-so-secret lover?
Tweet me!
Duncan gets tons of respect from his peers ??? And LMA is still soft though getting harder
THAT’S HOT
I think people should call him soft more often because it causes him to play inside to prove everyone wrong for a game or two.
Blazer Fan
And I give Outlaw props because he's come a long way this year
Gone from a total ? to a guy you can somewhat depend on every night to do the things he’s good at.
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Mar 27, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
very glad to see that Outlaw has changed your mind.
Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards
I changed how i looked at him
I had hoped he could be a starter. He can’t, but as the sixth or seventh man… he’ll rock the house down, and i’ll take that.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
He's got the superskill of being able to elevate and get his shot anytime against anyone...
……………………………. not that the shot will go down necessarily — but just being able to GET that shot is critically important sometimes.
The key thing, I think, was the realization that Travis is not and never will be the starting SF on a NateBall team. He’s more of a non-dribbling swingman best suited for crunchtime.
A freeshooter, a la Kobe and other freeshooters. He’ll miss a lot and make a lot and you have to keep both of those potential outcomes in mind always — not getting too high on the 20 foot makes or too low on the painful 20 foot misses.
REALLY good guy to have on the team…
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
Before the championships, Duncan got little respect from his peers
If you played sports growing up, you can understand why. He is a coaches dream. He does all the fundamental things, does nothing flashy, and shows no emotion. Players like that make other folks look bad in comparison. Shaq mocked him regularly. Barkley’s cut from the same cloth.
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
by hawkblogger on Mar 27, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
but he got a championship
in like his third year in the league…
"Slum dunk? You just go to the rim, and crush.. crush the ball in the rim."
- Nic Batum
It was really more David Robinson that got no respect
rather than Duncan. Duncan won a title in his second year. Robinson took like 10 years, along with getting manhandled by Hakeem in the 94 playoffs after being named the MVP.
Duncan has almost always got plenty of respect from his peers. Webber is really the guy who got the brunt of Shaq’s ridicule.
Let's be frank about LaMarcus Aldridge, okay.
Who’d the Phoenix Suns start at power forward yesterday?
The answer to that question is none other than Matt Barnes.
Barnes, who’s 6’7" tall and weighs 226lbs, is a defensive liability.
It’d’ve been a bigger deal had Aldridge not taken advantage of such a favorable matchup, although it certainly wouldn’t’ve shocked me if he had been invisible against the Suns. As far as I’m concerned, Aldridge needs to eventually prove himself in the playoffs. Until that point in time, I still expect Aldridge to pull a Charles Smith by playing like a buffoon this post-season.
still with the Charles Smith
after last night’s game, and after the last couple weeks of games, and since the All Star break.
Dude, you are a broken record. – Elgin
Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards
Look, this whole debate will be settled come playoff time.
At that moment, it’ll be up to LaMarcus Aldridge to disprove me.
What he needs to do:
Dominate against teams with inferior PF’s (like he did last night)
Be serviceable against teams with All Star PF’s (Lakers, Spurs, Dallas, Boston, etc)
And yes, a LOT of debates will be settled come playoff time, not just LeMarcus’
by two buck chuck on Mar 27, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
After the first-round matchups are finalized next month, it'll be a lot easier to gauge what ...
LaMarcus Aldridge must bring to the table. For example, Aldridge will definitely be relied upon more heavily offensively versus a team such as the Houston Rockets — since it’s got the wing defenders to stifle Brandon Roy — while against the Utah Jazz his impact will be most useful on the defensive end. There’s also potential matchups wherein Aldridge will need to up his overall game, with the San Antonio Spurs being a prime example.
AK1984 = BIGtimeHater&Handwringer & Chump!
Dude, AK1984 you never cease to amaze me with your down-grading and down-playing of our Portland youth…. once this team is in its prime you are gonna have to change your handle, there is no way you feel the same about these young developing players in two seasons when they are actually seasoned.
A buffoon? How good are you? I added in the Chump name-call because you called our boy LMA a buffoon. BOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo.
by Portland Dynasty on Mar 27, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
uhchestbumpstaredown
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
by RenoBlazerFan on Mar 27, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
This really is over the edge
I still expect Aldridge to pull a Charles Smith by playing like a buffoon this post-season.
I maen jeez …..Blazers Edge – - -a site For Blazer Fans by Blazer Fans…..dude have you landed in the right zone?
"Sergio and I obtained chalupas to understand their power. Then Sergio showed that each one has 427 calories and 27 grams of fat. Leaping upwards, we reviled the accursed chalupa and its pressure. – Rudy Fernandez
by LetsBlaze on Mar 27, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
Everyone's entitled to their opinion. It takes some people longer than others to figure stuff out.
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
That's because some people are so in love with their own opinions they can't see the truth.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
by annthefan on Mar 29, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Look what that did for Kermit Washington's career
Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards
I think we should ask Rebecca Haarlow if she thinks LMA is Hard or Soft........... :)
I would just love to see her blush…
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
36:12 Mins, 11-16 FGs, 7-8 FTs, +22, 3 Off, 12 Rebs, 2 Ast, 3 Blks, 29 Points!!! LMA vs Suns 3-26-09
by LaMarvelous on Mar 27, 2009 1:15 PM PDT reply actions 7 recs
Who cares what Chuck, Kenny and C-Dub think....
I could care less that these on-air clowns don’t like the Blazers.
LaMarcus has a label because he is young and has a calm demeanor. I have zero doubts that games like that against the Suns and months like this March will be becoming more and more consistent bumping his overall numbers up, adding more and more can’t miss highlights to the ESPN reel and catching the attention of more and more talking-heads. It takes a little time for 99.5% of all players. Hell, Kobe had a soft label for like 5 years… soft, timid, weak defender, not an efficient enough scorer, young, etc…. now he is the Black Mamba or self-proclaimed “Assassin”… labels get shed. D-Wade was once labeled as injury prone… Steve Nash was once labeled as unstoppable… good or bad, reputations and labels change over time.
What we have right now in LaMarcus Aldridge is a 23 year old power forward who has prototypical size (6’11" 245lbs) has elite NBA athleticism and range for his position and statistically is laying it down like he should: 18.1ppg on 48% shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 1 block per game… this is his 3rd SEASON IN THE NBA! This month Aldridge has been a monster and if this streak of improved play carries over into the playoffs… the only thing Aldridge is going to be labelled is LEGIT and Future All-Star.
Yes, there is room for improvement… but what 23 year old doesn’t?
by Portland Dynasty on Mar 27, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
My sentiments almost exactly.
Why should any of us care what other people think of the Blazers?
The whole “respect” conversation is one of the stupidest, most overrated topics one can come up with. So what if some player doesn’t respect Aldridge. That means exactly zero. Unless the player delivers on that lack of respect by brutalizing LaMarcus during the course of a game, it is so much empty posturing to talk about respect. Haven’t you noticed by now how often pro athletes talk about respect, responsibility, stepping up, etc? Almost as much as they mention “moving on” or “putting the past behind them” and “concertrating on the future”. Catch phrases usually spoken after they’ve done something that exhibits a lack of respect and responsibility for themselves, their teammates, their fans and their employer.
Rest assured that Aldridge has the respect of those who matter – his own and opposing coaches and GM’s. Those are the folks that tell you they have to game plan around LaMarcus more than any other Blazer. They are the same people who would kill to get a Tim Duncan for their team.
Personally, I have thought more than once how much I appreciate the fact that most of our players are not all tatted up or into austentatous (sp) behavior during games. They don’t try to show up their opponent or draw attention to themselves. That’s a characterisitic that is rare these days and I love the fact that so many of our guys exhibit it. What excites me far more than the possibility of titles is looking forward to watching a team that wins with class and professionalism. From Pritchard down through McMillan and the coaching staff to the players, this team is a thing of beauty. One we as fans can (and should) embrace wholeheartedly.
hakkaa päälle !
by timg56 on Mar 27, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Man I love 'nilla wafers
But are they a cookie or a cracker? I think cookie, since dont put cheese on them.
I would agree
definitely cookie cause I dip them in milk
by keepfryealive on Mar 27, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Von Wafers no cracker
I AM A PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS SUPPORTER.
by bow4meow on Mar 27, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Aldridge is not soft just because he takes jumpers.
He is 9th in the league in offensive rebounding totals.
He is 15th in the league in total dunks.
Taking jumpers does not make you soft, and even then all you need to do is watch Aldridge to see that he’s playing much more aggressive lately.
What I don’t understand about the Aldridge ‘haters" is that they are way more down on him than like…everyone. Most broadcasters, fans (of other teams), coaches, scouts, GMs, opposing players think Aldridge is pretty damn good. Yes there is still a small group of people around here who like to believe otherwise. A lot of people say he will be one of the top PFs in the league, and he’s really done nothing to show otherwise at this point.
by Bskey on Mar 27, 2009 4:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
LMA is not soft.
He is emphatically not an old school glass-eating crusher, but that doesn’t mean he’s soft.
The problem he has is playing too far away from the hole sometimes.
He’s getting there though, he’s getting there…
Once there’s a 6’8" Chuck Norris on the roster to insert situationally when the team REALLY needs that particular skill set (if breaking opponents in half and sucking the marrow out of their spinal column can be called a skill), then LMA’s relative shortcoming in Mortal Kombat skills won’t seem as glaring or important.
Point is: Blazers can’t have Chris Bosh. And failing that, I’m totally fine with LMA….
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
by timbo on Mar 27, 2009 9:53 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
He's being more selective and more inside/outside...doing better ID'ing
the match-ups and who he can exploit/where -—wait I sound like NAte!!??!
Nate want him and Channing outside…I’ve heard him say it alot…I wish I didn’t ….removed alot of my anger towards Chan when I heard Nate say how he is encouraging to be out there on the arc….yuk…when you have Rudy and Roy and Blake and Trav and Batuum to shoot threes…Sergio and Chan can hold back…whatever…
"Sergio and I obtained chalupas to understand their power. Then Sergio showed that each one has 427 calories and 27 grams of fat. Leaping upwards, we reviled the accursed chalupa and its pressure. – Rudy Fernandez
I'm surprised
agents don’t have a conversation with players about on court demeanor. You know, you can make an extra $20M on your next extension if you do 2 fist pumps a game, one scream at the sky, and one towel wave.
by Engineering Problem on Mar 28, 2009 10:35 PM PDT reply actions
Very astute.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
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