2009-10 Review: LaMarcus Aldridge
by Dave on May 6, 2010 12:09 AM PDT
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PrintOur review of individual player performance continues today with LaMarcus Aldridge. LaMarcus has been critiqued, crisped, and in some quarters vilified this year. Was his performance worthy of the critcism? It depends on what you expect from him.
Let's get one thing straight early on: LaMarcus did not have a bad season. LaMarcus did not have anything approaching a bad season. LaMarcus is the second most talented, second most productive member of this team. LaMarcus is also a player that plenty of teams would love to get their hands on. If the Blazers left him by the side of the road with a "Free to Good Home" sign around his neck NBA GM's would have multiple car wrecks trying to be the first to pick him up. There's disappointing and there's DISAPPOINTING. There's falling short of expectations and then there's downright bad. Whatever you think of his performance LaMarcus was neither DISAPPOINTING nor downright bad this year.
A quick look at his stats shows that Aldridge was pretty much on a par with last season's performance. He got almost the same numbers of minutes and shots per game. His field goal percentage rose from 48.4% to 49.5%. True Shooting Percentage went up a little. Effective Field Goal Percentage went up almost in line with his overall FG%. Free throw attempts and percentage both dropped. Rebounds were up thanks to improved defensive rebounding (4.6 to 5.6 per game, a +3% rise in Defensive Rebounding Percentage). Assists rose. Turnovers fell. Blocks went down the drain. The bottom line: Last year LMA scored 18.1 per game with 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and a PER of 19.1. This year he scored 17.9 per game with 8.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and a PER of 18.2. So far the smoking gun isn't evident.
If you're looking for that gun you're going to find it in the same place you found Brandon Roy's: plus-minus. In 2008-09 his plus-minus averaged out to +6.0 per game. In 2009-10 it was +3.2, a decline of nearly half. This highlights the divide in the LaMarcus controversy. His raw stats and play aren't anything to get upset about. It's just LaMarcus playing like LaMarcus. Is LaMarcus everything this team needs, though? This year the answer was no. Thus the angst.
How much of that angst is fair and deserved is open to debate. The door was certainly open wide for LMA to take any role, any amount of responsibility, to up his play in any category he wished this year. The Blazers basically needed EVERYTHING. LaMarcus did well enough but he didn't come close to giving them everything. One can argue he didn't give them anything new or different in their time of need. He actually gave the team more 20-point games in 2008-09 (40) than he did in 2009-10 (35). That doesn't add up. When a second-year guy or the sixth-best player on the team does this you don't fret. When your second-best player is in his fourth season and is still riding untapped potential you start to worry when he plateaus during his time to shine.
One can argue (indeed, I have) that heretofore LaMarcus has not been called upon to deliver to the extent the Blazers asked this year. The presence of Brandon Roy and Joel Przybilla and the relatively mild expectations of the team as a whole have sheltered him. He got exposed this season. He had to deal with double-teams, often without a dependable outlet. He had to shoulder the main scoring load. At times he was responsible for the entirety of the big-man defense. Plus rebounding. Plus where are those fast break points? Picks? Paint points? That's a lot to take on in the middle of the season on the fly. On the other hand you look at spotty rebounding, weak lane play, and absence of clutch assertiveness and you think, "That ain't right." Not taking the bull by the horns is one thing but you have to be somewhere near the pasture at least. A young, budding star doesn't just say, "Dre! Cow! Get him!" and go about his business.
For me the archetypal moment of LaMarcus' year was watching his jumpers fall in the Game 4 playoff victory versus Phoenix, then watching him miss the first couple he took in Game 6 and understanding at that point that we were going to lose. That's not to say the loss was his fault. But we had no chance without him confident and dominating and he just wasn't confident and dominating enough in that game, the series, or the season as a whole.
Even so, we have to remember that LaMarcus' value can't just be measured by what he can do in isolation. His true value comes in what he can do for this team. This team is going to include Brandon Roy and Greg Oden and another center and a couple other scorers. If not--if this year's injuries recur--it doesn't matter what LaMarcus does, the Blazers are sunk. Provided that doesn't happen, however, LaMarcus fits in fine and dandy. We won't need as much from him. Free to play to his strengths, he won't look like he's falling short in as many areas. He still needs to become a 20 and 8 guy who can play help defense. (He probably should have been that this year.) But no matter what he's going to look much better, perhaps perform much better, with his normal teammates surrounding him, when the team's destiny doesn't rise and fall with his jumper and his rebounding, when he's free to just be LaMarcus because that's exactly what the Blazers need.
Even with that, Aldridge will be put to the test again eventually. If they are to make a deep run the Blazers are going to need a real 1A guy playing alongside Roy. LaMarcus might develop into that guy. Maybe somebody else on the team will. If not, though, Portland is going to have to acquire someone. Before this year, with the potential and the cake-baking and whatnot, that kind of move wasn't under serious consideration. It's still not required. It might not be on the visible horizon yet even. But it has at least entered the radar screen. If the opportunity came at the right price the Blazers would at least have to listen and would perhaps be willing to sacrifice more than in years past in order to secure their future. That change in approach is based at least in part on what LaMarcus Aldridge can or can't do to bring this team a title.
Season Performance: B (People will ask why Roy got an A- for staying relatively even and LMA got a B. It's because LaMarcus had more room ahead of him to grow and probably should have whereas Roy is already there. Also for those who want to give him a D or an F, know that I'm not judging by team needs as much as what he's shown he can do.)
Trend: Static (And that ain't good.)
Biggest Question Marks: Aggressiveness, willingness to take contact, interior play on both ends
Future with the Team: Solid, but less so than last year.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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Aldridge is an amazing player.
He gotten far too much hate for this last season in which he was one of the VERY few dependable things.
He should have been the first *Marcus to get a chant in the Rose Garden. He’s had games at least as good.
Plus my girlfriend has a crush on him like I have a crush on Scarlett Johansen, so it’s in my best interests to say good things about LMA…
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
In my day we called that
a “To Do” list. David Duchovny is on my wife’s. I’m smart enough to never mention who would be on mine.
—Dave
lol
You’re a wiser man than me, Dave.
Fortunately I’m half your age so I don’t care.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on May 6, 2010 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions
At least I act like I am.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on May 6, 2010 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, in actual age, maybe.
But in spirit I am far younger.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
Be careful Dave!
From what I hear, David Duchovny would be happy to be crossed off as many lists as possible.
Like the Whos down in Whoville they did it without boxes or ribbons or bows, they did without centers or posting down low. They won without All-Stars and Spaniards and Frenchmen. They won with old geezers and sub-par defense-men. They won playing rookies from deep off the benches. They won with their grit and their guts in the trenches. And some who observed them have been known to say that their hearts grew three sizes (at least!) on the way. One hopes with their poise and their passion now proven that once they are healthy their game will be groovin'.
Are you sure the list doesn't just consist of any guy named Dave??
In which case …you better keep an eye on my plumber
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
Predictable, yes
But you don’t depend upon fall-away jumpers from your 6-11 PF. You depend on him owning the paint, playing D, getting to the rim.
Oh, no question I agree.
I’ve long been calling for more variety in LMA’s repertoire. Especially on the interior.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on May 6, 2010 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
Or how about over the summer he develops about 2 feet more range so he can step back and shoot a three!!
I hate it when he shoots jumpers with his foot on the three point line.
by andyisnumerouno on May 6, 2010 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Why, why, why?
The point is to win games. There are a variety of ways to do it. Certainly the team needs rebounding and a low post presence, but it does not have to primarily by our starting PF, it can be our center and rebounding by committee.
On a team that has outstanding penetrators in Roy, Miller and Bayless, it may be advantageous to have a PF who helps space the floor rather than clog the lane. People seem to have a very set vision of that a Power Forward is and don’t seem to be willing to adjust that vision to current personnel realities. The Orlando Magic are doing just fine with Rashard Lewis as their starting PF and he grabs a measly 4.4 rebounds per game.
It seems to be the same with the PG position. Everybody expects to see Stockton or Nash at the PG position. It is possible to share playmaking between multiple players. If Bayless is playing next to Roy and Batum, he doesn’t need to be Stockton or Nash. Just as Aldridge, paired with Oden, doesn’t need to be Malone or Duncan.
The three point line and the hand check rules have changed the game. Spacing is more important than it used to be. Spacing creates open threes and lanes for driving to the hoop.
by upper left corner on May 6, 2010 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
+92
People seem to have a very set vision of that a Power Forward is and don’t seem to be willing to adjust that vision to current personnel realities
You nailed that one….but I don’t think it is Duncan and Malone people around here pine for….It is Buck Williams and Brian Grant….great players both ..and tough…I loved them too…but that being said Brian Grant only averaged 10.1 ppg and 7.9 rpg while playing for Portland (plus only averaged 57 games played per season due to injury)….and Buck Williams averaged 10.1ppg and 8.7 rpg. These were great players…but nowhere close to what LMA is bringing points and rebound wise (17.9/7.7 over the last 3 years). If Brian and Buck were available (in their primes) …I wouldn’t trade LMA for either of them. Not in this day and age
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
Good points
I loved Buck and Brian, but I agree that I wouldn’t trade LMA for either.
by upper left corner on May 6, 2010 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions
I would trade LMA for Buck Williams in a heartbeat
Guys like Buck and Brian Grant aren’t measured in box scores. They brought toughness and defense to their teams. Grants wars with Karl Malone (the greatest PF I ever saw) are nearly legendary.
Without Joel out there, the Blazers had no tough guy, nobody to body up the other teams post scorers. When Oden went down, the Blazers had no post scorer at all. Aldridge needed to become that guy. He doesn’t have to be the next Malone, but he needs to stop shying away from contact. Seeing his free throws go down when the Blazers needed him to be more aggressive is simply unacceptable.
Now, if Oden can stay healthy (a big if) and if he can play at the level he’s capable of (a somewhat smaller if, given the first question mark), that could free Aldridge to play his game. And if Oden can learn to start a fast break, I could see Aldridge playing more like an all-star. He needs to be on a team that looks to run, with his athleticism.
But given that this team doesn’t look to run, he needs to tailor his game to what his team needs. That is what good players do. Aldridge didn’t do that.
Karl Malone aint out there either (btw I agree that he is the best ever...Tim Duncan is a center)
Grants wars with Karl Malone (the greatest PF I ever saw) are nearly legendary
That kind of game and player just isn’t around anymore
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 6, 2010 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree with you and upper left.
But then I bet everyone already knew that.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
Yes...I did
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 6, 2010 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
good comments.
I would like to see people accept LA for what he is as a player. He’s not a “banger” or a guy who plays on the block and that’s ok. LA is a very talented player who is a number 2 or 3 option and he’s only 24 so he will get better, but people shouldn’t expect him to be more than he is. LA is one of the foundation pieces that helped get this team from the depths of NBA hell to being one of the top young teams in the league. The blazers don’t get where they are without LA. With that being said, I think he does need to improve on his overall consistency and become a better defender. He may never be a low post stud, but I believe he could become an elite defender. I would say that is the only disappointing part of his game for me. He has shown improvement on D since Camby has arrived though.
On point, again
I’ve blasted LaMarcus quite a bit this year, and I really think he has deserved it from me, other fans, bloggers, columnists. Nothing more painful than watching him fail to grab defensive rebounds on one end of the court, then get the ball with 4 feet of space 8 feet from the rim looking stuck in between comfort zones on offense.
LaMarcus has so much room to grow, and we didn’t see it this year. We saw him get aggressive in the paint just a little bit during the last month of the regular season, but it wasn’t much. He’s going to keep hearing these things. He’s going to be called “soft” as long as he’s a poor defensive rebounder and poor shot blocker.
I am not calling you out specifically but ....
…
He’s going to be called "soft" as long as he’s a poor defensive rebounder and poor shot blocker.
This is a pretty common observation. It got me thinking about why. What is it that LMA is being asked to do on the defensive end of the court ? Typically, his acknowledged strengths defensively are his abilities to keep up with “stretch” 4s on the perimeter…and to switch to the guard on the PnR (important because our guards are not known for fighting thru picks). This leaves him on the perimeter on many (if not most) plays ….out of position to get defensive rebounds or block many shots (the Phoenix series illustrated this to a tee….LMA chasing Frye around the perimeter or switching onto the guard on the pick and roll). Also, when he is down low, he uses his quick hands to poke away the ball before the shooter even gets the shot up (like Karl Malone) in many cases ….so no blocked shot in that scenario either. I suspect this will continue to be the case as long as the rest of the bigs on the team are less mobile and versatile than he is and he will keep being given the defensive assignment on the perimeter (and with with Oden and Camby backstopping this will be very effective…but he will continue to be called soft).
There are some things on offense that he needs to improve on….specifically I would love for him to initiate his moves quicker on offense…he does command a double most times…but many times it comes late …and he usually waits for it to get there. I would like to see him get the ball in the post and just go…I would bet he would surprise the the doubling player and get a lot more fouls as the double team gets there late….or at least cause the double to come quicker and maybe open up more action for the rest of his team mates.
Regardless….I was mostly pleased with LMA this year (I voted him the MVP) ….yes he could have done more ….but considering that he maintained his pace statistically while getting even more attention from defenses, plus staying upright for basically the whole year (He played 78 games….and if Dre gets credit for being an Iron Man, LMA should too )….I would be willing to give him a B+/A- for his performance.
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
Let me add to that shopping list
There are two things I’d most like him to add to his offensive game.
First, better passing out of the double team. He has excellent length and wingspan, which means that he can usually pass over the defense, but he needs to work on court vision and composure under pressure. On the flip side, this goes hand-in-hand with MORE MOTION from other players, which is a coaching issue really (sorry for the CAPS, but this is a pet peeve of mine.)
and, as someone else remarked, it would be awesome if he could stretch his range to the 3-point line, like Channing Frye did so amazingly this season. I don’t want or expect him to start shooting 3s as often as Frye (or ‘Sheed, for that matter), but it would make him an extremely potent weapon on this team, and it’s probably a reasonable goal to shoot for.
On defense, I agree that his numbers have been somewhat skewed by spending so much time on the perimeter. That being said, part of it was balanced by the many minutes he ended up playing the 5. I think LMA should watch Howard and Camby, both excellent rebounders with very different styles, and learn as much as he can. Defensive rebounding, especially, is mostly about anticipation, technique, and hustle, and much less about athletic ability than many people (but not my fellow BEdgers, of course) might think.
Camby yes....Howard, no
I think LMA should watch Howard and Camby, both excellent rebounders
Juwan’s best rebounding year was his rookie season …..8.4 rpg (and that was a looooong time ago)…..LMA had 8.0 rpg this past year
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
I think we are too hard on LMA
but he should be a 20 and 10 guy, not 20 and 8…Having Oden back will take some of that pressure off. Still I can’t think of anyone I would trade him for, especially mister I-can’t-make it-through-a-season-without-injury Bosh…
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on May 6, 2010 12:28 AM PDT reply actions
plus
wasn’t he playing center for half a season? I mean come on…
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on May 6, 2010 12:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Really? You won't trade LA for Chris Freakin' Bosh?
Are you one of those “I won’t trade Batum for Paul” people as well?
"I think he’s been doing some good things. I think he’s been doing some good things. He’s had to play a lot of minutes lately with Blake being out. I think he’s been doing some good things." -Nate McMillan
no
I would trade Rudy for Lebron as well, I think it’s about as likely…
Geriatric Dunk Squad!
1/4/10 - Juwan Howard dunks on Chris Kaman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkOqDgLb6s
3/7/10 - Andre Miller Tomahawk jams on the Denver Nuggets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JVgm7F1QA
4/12/10 - Marcus Camby drops 30 and 13 on OKC to cement 50 wins. http://www.nba.com/blazers/media/camby_chant_041310.mp3
by Eat Politicians on May 6, 2010 4:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Ou aspiration is a championship
And it’s pretty obvious he needs a serious mental makeover to be the #2 scorer on a title contender even though that’s what his contract says he should do. On the one hand I sympathize with him, that he gets too much of the team criticism. On the other hand, we developed and paid him to be our #2 scorer in any circumstance and he hasn’t proved up to the challenge. If we nee to push him to #3 scorer to win a title that’s a serious adjustment for our front office given his limitless potential
A
Durable performer.
Developed an up and under move and began to use an across the lane move with a hook shot.
Aggressiveness is an issue, but I suspect it’s due to the deference he gives McMillan, i.e. I don’t think McMillan encourages independent action (that is, there is not a culture of learn through mistakes at Blazer U).
Plays too many minutes and this hurts his play.
Hard to be a good defensive rebounder when the guards can’t play face up defense.
Hook shot
Most disappointing development of the year. Last year he was able to use it anytime he was defended 1-on-1 and could finish it through contact. this year I think he used the move fewer than 50 times all season even though it was his unstoppable go-to move last year. In the flashes we saw this year it didn’t seem to be any less effective yet he seemed scared of using it. I just wank to know WHY????
I don't know why Aldridge doesn't do the up and under move more often. It's a great shot.
if he missed it he is in good posistion to get a rebound or draw a foul. It also lets isn’t a jumper, which is something he needs to stop settling for.
Because Miller and Roy
don’t get him the ball early enough during his post.
by 7677maniac on May 6, 2010 12:47 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He also needs to turn baseline when he sets up on the left side of the court
I really noticed this against Phoenix. They overplayed him to turn to his left to put up a right handed hook shot, and he consistently went that way. But when he turned right to go strong at the rim from the baseline, good things almost always happened for the Blazers.
I also agree with posters who said, as I did during the season, that he holds the ball too long. And it doesn’t seem like he is waiting for the defense to commit, like Duncan does, because he typically doesn’t have an answer for the double team. He needs to learn to catch, and initiate.
Yeah ....I remember yelling for him to spin to the baseline (at the games...I don't think he heard me from the 300 level)
He even did it a couple of times
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 6, 2010 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
Chalk this one up to experience
I don’t think you should make too much out of this season’s stats – a freakish season that can’t be compared to a normal season. Aldridge made progress on the part of his game that most needs improvement, his inside game. This season presented him with an extreme example of just how vital it can be for him to be able to make a bigger contribution in the paint; surely that made an impression. I expect he will continue to work hard on improving his inside game, and that’s really all we can ask of him.
Let that cake bake a little longer.
Which season was the "freakish" one?
LMA has been a model of consistency, which would be nice if he was 27-31 instead of 21-25
Reduced free throw attempts...
that is especially disappointing. I don’t hate him, am not ready to get rid of him or anything, but I’m disappointed he hasn’t really developed—our 6’11" jump shooter. The ‘ifs’ of how he could be part of a great Blazer team can’t be bolded and italicized enough. That said, I sure hope we see that team next year.
I hope his inside game comes along.
volatilelyle.wordpress.com
I'd go higher if I could.
Oh, wait, I can! He gets an א.
"[S]ince men enjoyed very great leisure, they used it to pursue many kinds of commodities unknown to their fathers, and that was that first yoke they placed upon themselves without thinking about it, and the first source of evils the prepared for their descendants. For, besides continuing thus to soften body and mind, as these commodities had lost almost all their pleasantness through habit, and as they had at the same time degenerated into true needs, being deprived of them became much more cruel than possessing them was sweet; and people were unhappy to lose them without being happy to have them." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau
I'd give him a B-/C+
Too much untapped potential. He’s like an oil well capable of producing 10,000 barrels a day, but no matter what you do, you can’t squeeze out more than 6,000.
by pdxrob on May 6, 2010 6:17 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
LMA demands double-teams.
What more can you ask from your starting PF than to be a reliable scorer when single-covered down low?
The Blazers as a whole need to do a better job of taking advantage of the defense collapsing on LaMarcus. Yes, some of that involves him improving his passing out of the pressure to finding open teammates. He’s gotten better at this, but still has room to improve.
However, at least equally important is to have reliable wing players who will take that pass and make something happen to convert that double-team into 2 or 3 points on each possession. This season, with Roy, Rudy, Oden, Batum out for extended periods, those outlets were simply not there reliably enough for LaMarcus to really shine.
If other players can stay healthy next season, we will start to see how much more effective LMA has really become in the last 2 years.
Portland Trail Blazers, Future World Champions 2010-2021.
Personally
I put Aldridge into the category of “Glue Guy” much like Batum. In my mind he’s never going to be a “superstar” that can completely take over a game, but I think you can count on that steady production of 18 & 8. Plus, I like how he can slide to the center position during stretches if we decide to go more up-tempo with guys like Bayless, Batum, Rudy, and Martell.
by adaoh on May 6, 2010 7:14 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
We paid him to be a #2 player, not a "glue guy"
Our team’s strategy is built around LaMarcus as a #2. If he’s not, our team needs serious retooling
Give him a B+ at offense end and D on Defense end!
Blazers will never be a complete team in the playoffs without LA being able to defend and rebound like a 6’11" power forward should. I don’t think this is the case every night but he has shown he’s not willing to bang hard every night. He needs to move his feet better and make sure his but is finding his man behind him when the shot goes up.
His offense wasn’t bad this year, but must see the doubles coming quicker and be able to react faster. He doesn’t have to score allot of points, just have the awareness to find the open man and then BLOCK OUT!!!
by blazer for life on May 6, 2010 7:16 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I hope LMA plays for Team USA this summer
He’s still on the roster, and he doesn’t have any lingering injuries nor lingering contract extension discussions to get in his way.
I think training with Team USA and the best players in the league, would should give him the experience and exposure to how the best in the league do it. Just simply being around all those All-Stars should give him the confidence boost that he needs, or the realization that he needs that he is one of the best players in the league but he’s got to continue to improve and work towards being better.
Big love to LaMarcus
I’m anticipating great things from him when his team gets healthy. I have just a couple observations. One, how comforting it is that for a big long body he plays like 3,000+ minutes every season with only the odd contusion or minor sprain (knock on wood).
Two, for all the comparisons that peoplemake with Nico and Pippin, I see the Pippin comps more clearly with LMA. I don’t see a cold-blooded killer but one helluva second option. I always saw Scottie as the guy who had the talent but not the fortitude to be one of the all-time greats. His energy level always just complemented his best teammate. Aldridge’s confidence level seems to be always one step behind wherever Brandon’s is.
by jiminut on May 6, 2010 7:23 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I was thinking B+....
But the post photo of Frye dunking and screaming on a flat footed LMA dropped him to a B-.
Dave, Can you explain your thought process in choosing that particular photo?
2-4 the who
aw LMA...
I would like him to be more aggressive, but it won’t. At this point he is what he is and us wanting him to be a 20/8 or whatever just isn’t going to happen. But that is ok, as with a healthy team around him it will mask many of his faults. Oden is such a game changer that we won’t need LMA to get 20/8 each night, as Oden will get 15/11 from limited shots/minutes, while Camby will get close to 10 rpg as well. The key is health, this team must stay healthy, because as we saw this year, LMA can not be the only real big on a team, he is just not that player. He is not a 1 or a 1a type guy. He is more of a 3rd option because he is so inefficient, those long 2 pt jumpers he takes are just not good shots, and I am mistified as to why Nate runs plays to get them.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
Our management might disagree:
At this point he is what he is and us wanting him to be a 20/8 or whatever just isn’t going to happen. But that is ok, as with a healthy team around him it will mask many of his faults.
We paid him to be a #2 scoring option and a truly consistent player at the very worst. On the one hand I understand fan expectations may be too high for LMA, but if the season BEFORE his #2 scorer contract kicks in we realize he’s not a #2 scorer, doesn’t that hamstring our franchise?
He is a smooth, solid glue guy
Buuut, when he needs to make a decision or gets knocked around he plays scared. I have never seen a guy have good post position, get double teamed by guards and dribble away from said good post position EVERY TIME. He goes from 10 feet to 20 feet THEN holds the ball for a bit before he passes it even farther away from the basket thereby putting absolutely NO pressure on the defense. E v e r y t i m e it played like this in the playoffs. I did not know who to be more frustrated with him or the coaching staff?
by LicketyBrindleDowntheMiddle on May 6, 2010 8:27 AM PDT reply actions
It's a fair observation
I think after the all-star break (and before the playoffs) he was making great strides in being more confident on the block. Maybe next year….
Andre Miller is the old guy in the corner at the YMCA who gets picked last and then wins the game singlehandedly with sky hooks from the deep right corner. - dwaynebillybob
He does that every year.
He has consistently played his best ball in the last two months of the season. Until the playoffs, that is.
Why Amare is a better player
The one skill that Aldridge needs to master is to face up and put the ball on the floor. Amare Stoudemire is a better player than Aldridge primarily because he has that skill. You get fouled more, get closer to the hoop for rebounds, and get into your offensive move much quicker.
If he can get that skill down, look out…
Amare and him are just completely opposite players.
It was funny because I was talking about this constantly while watching our first round matchup. Amare and LA both put up almost identical numbers but there style and how they do it are almost polar opposite. Amare plays super aggressive almost with a chip on his shoulder. Reminds me of a bull. While LMA plays tenative and soft like a gazelle (I know we’ve all heard the animal analogies before). LMA has parts of his game that are great don’t get me wrong but Amare will be the more effective player for years to come unless something unlikely and drastic happens to LMA over the next couple seasons ( a healthy Greg and rest of team would definately up this probability). But overall unless LA wipes his constant little smile off his face and gets serious about wanting to consistently dominate games we may be overpaying our supposed next superstar.
by NorthWest Connection on May 6, 2010 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
Every one is calling LA out
on his rebounding.
But listen: LA is our one (or was before Camby came) legitimate big guy and when he positions to rebound he gets the attention from the other team. Can it be a surprise if his rebounding numbers aren’t what we’d like them to be. And let us be honest our poor close out defense on threes meant that many missed shots went long—beyond LA close out position.
Some should see what the rebound rate is compared to pace in the league—I’d bet LA does well in that comparison.
I don't have those numbers but...
…I have heard they don’t compare favorably
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 6, 2010 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
While our slow pace does lower his rebounding numbers overall
He still isn’t a good rebounder and won’t likely ever become one, judging by NBA history.
His rebounding numbers have stayed consistent no matter who he is playing with; Joel, Oden, Camby, or none of them, he rebounds about the same. He just ain’t a good rebounder.
He DOES rebound at the same rate as Bynum and Brook Lopez, and neither of them are given crap for rebounding, but they also play at faster paces which obscure this fact. So, it isn’t as bad as all that… but it ain’t good.
LMA’s rebounding problems are sorta obvious. He doesn’t box out well (when he does box out), has a thin frame and small butt that doesn’t cover a lot of boxing-out ground, and has bad instincts. He also is overall not a very aggressive player except for special occasions, which is very frustrating and also one of the reasons he isn’t a good shotblocker or rebounder.
It’s not that he doesn’t TRY, or doesn’t wanna win, he just ain’t a very aggressive player and doesn’t have a lot of fire in him for a full season. He has it in small doses which we all remember and gives us hope that he could always be like that, but at this point I would imagine it’ll always be in small doses and not enough to make up for the bad times.
I personally believe it is almost all mental with LMA; he has the skillset and body to be a very damn good New-Wave PF. He can have one of his bad LMA games against the weakest post defenders, and a great LMA game against someone like Duncan. LMA seems to limit himself the most.
Mortimer
#52
i sort of disagree with this
I personally believe it is almost all mental with LMA; he has the skillset and body to be a very damn good New-Wave PF. He can have one of his bad LMA games against the weakest post defenders, and a great LMA game against someone like Duncan. LMA seems to limit himself the most.
If LA truly wants to be a great “new-wave” PF in the Dirk/Bosh mold, he needs to develop a more consistent dribble drive game. As it is, if you just get right up in his space and make the jump-shot uncomfortable, he can’t drive by you and make you pay. When he passes out tepidly after being closed down, it may seem like he’s being passive, but honestly I don’t think he has the game to deal with those situations.
Hmmm
No on wants to point it out so I will- L.A isn’t the problem his lack of “guts” and “aggressiveness” isn’t the issue either. The issue is L.A doesn’t fit in our wonderful Offensive Set’s that the Great Nate has come up with. You put L.A in San Antonio’s offense and you have a Mini Duncan. We have the right peices just not the right sets- either Nate changes or fire him!!!
Nate makes it a point to get L.A going early- why doesn’t he make it a point to keep him going- it’s the offense- the ball doesn’t move. Hollinger made a great point in his article the heavy “iso” offenses are a joke.
I think you make an important point.
Just like some of the criticisms of Roy, I think there is going to be a theme here: it is the offensive sets and the coach that is holding some of our players back.
I know some people will argue that the coach doesn’t go out on the floor, and can’t be held responsible for individual player performances. To a degree that is true. But coaches do design strategies, call plays from the sideline, and direct players as to what they want done. And you can’t fire all the players. If enough players aren’t performing to the best of their abilities, the blame falls, correctly, on the people that put the players there.
That means the GM who built the roster, and the coach who has the most direct contact with the players. KP assembled the talent, and I think the Blazers have a very talented roster. So it is incumbent on Nate McMillan to get the most out of those players.
I am not so sure
There is trend (from last season…not the current one just finished) that shows that across the league …wing players are more effective in the 4th quarter…something like the top 20 4th quarter scorers were all wings…with one exception…Dirk…who was 20th (LMA was getting his during the 1st and 3rd quarters). So what does that indicate? It could be that Nate is aware of this…and instead of bucking the trend (force feeding LMA in the 4th) he elects to go with it …and feeds LMA when he is likely to be his most effective (in the 1st and 3rd)…and then feeds Roy when he is likely to be his most effective (the 4th). It seems to be a sound strategy …at least in the regular season
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 6, 2010 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions
That is interesting
I’d like to see some figures on that. From Portland’s perspective, obviously part of the reason is that Roy tends to take over in the 4th quarter. I get that: he is the best player on the team, and the one most capable of creating his own shot. But I’m not sure Portland really takes advantage of the symbiotic relationship of a post player and a wing player working together. I’ve never really felt that Roy and Aldridge played a great 2 man game, like Nash and Amar’e do.
Further, the relative lack of motion in Portland’s offensive sets, in my opinion, further hamper everybody, because they don’t work together effectively.
I would also like to get that data from this year
and see if it changed ….It seemed like LMA was scoring more (not a lot more, but more) in 4th quarter this past season…but I don’t know for sure
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 6, 2010 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Has Aldridge EVER EVER EVER showed and recovered ona pick n roll?
Or finished in the top 10 in MVP voting? (Duncan was top-5 every year but 2 until he fell off.) I think you underestimate the fact that Tim Duncan was one of the 2 best PnR defenders of the 00s (him and KG are in a class of their own.) Add that to his willingness to adapt his offensive game to his matchup rather than shoot 20-footers regardless and it’s pretty obvious he’s better than LMA. I have been hard on Aldridge elsewhere in this thread but my response here is based much much much more on Duncan’s strengths thatn LMAs shortcomings. When history has its say Duncan will be a top-5 big man of all time
De-FENSE *clap clap*
Tim Duncan is the best team defender of our era. LMA is a decent 1-on-1 defender who routinely leaves his teammates hung to dry on awkward switches and doesn’t have more than 2 rotations in him no matter what the stakes. Given that team defense is what wins in the playoffs, that’s a pretty big difference. Plus, if the refs are as biased against small markets as most Blazer fans seem to think, Duncan is reallt THAT MUCH better than everyone else since he won 4 titles in San Antonio
Mort was being sarcastic
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
I believe a B is too low.
Considering that LA became the focus of oppossing defenses for a good portion of the season, maintaining his numbers rom the previous year seems like an accomplishment. I’ll reign in my LA love and go with a B+.
If you consider being an All-Star earns an A+ and one of the top ten at your position gets you an A, I think LaMarcus easily earned a B+ and probably an A-. Grading him on what you think he should be or wish he was just isn’t good practice.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
i give him a b
I have no real interest in talking about “toughness” or him being “afraid of contact,” because I don’t know what any basketball player is thinking on the court. So this review will stick to purely basketball skills that can more or less be observed from the TV.
The Good
- He gives us a nice mismatch vs. shorter power forwards like Jeff Green, Rashard Lewis and others, because he has a clean turnaround with a high release that he can shoot over them.
- His decent mid-range jump-shot does well to space the floor for Brandon (and hopefully next year Oden). I’d like to see him shoot more threes, but I’ve basically given up on it.
- He moves his feet well on defense, and keeps smaller players in front of him. This allows us to switch pick and rolls without paying a big penalty.
- He runs the court well, and has good hands, which allow him to take advantage of broken floor and fast-break situations for lay-ups and dunks.
Needs work
- LaMarcus is not very good at anything that happens before he catches the ball. He sets up shop too far away from the basket, which means when his defender pushes him out, he’s not in position to make an effective move. He also struggles to get a clean seal with the defender on his hip. This makes the entry pass difficult. Finally, he always seems too upright when he makes the catch, which means he’s not in position to make a move upon catching the ball.
- His handle is quite poor for someone with such good hands and such a good touch around the basket. If he developed a face-up game, he would be more efficient and draw a lot more fouls.
- His rotations to help out are too often late and half-hearted.
The strange
- His offensive rebound rate and block rate have declined every year since he was a rookie. This trend appears to be essentially independent of any considerations about his role—he did not rebound or block shots appreciably better for the few months where both Joel and Greg were injured.
I give him a B, because he meant a lot to this team, and was essentially a beacon of consistency, providing what he has always provided in a sea of uncertainty. To get an A, though, he would have had to assume some additional responsibilities in light of all the injuries, and I just didn’t see him doing that.
by atomiccafe on May 6, 2010 11:36 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs
Strong piece by Dave. B is about appropriate given that he essentially plateaud from last year. He is what he is (a good player but not a great player or a high motor player), and he essentially met expectations by being the same player he was last year, give or take.
The only thing I don’t get is the folks who consistently talk about his allstar potential and then are still willing to call this season a success. He made zero strides towards being an allstar level player.
In the playoffs, like Miller, he had one excellent game and basically stunk the rest of the series. This despite having favorable matchups often. You can’t count on him to take advantage of mismatches— the other team can just send a quick double and he is awful at making them pay.
If you agree with me that he’s not a good enough #2 option, and that Oden and Roy need to be the first two options on offense in some order, the question becomes what you are looking for in your PF. Miller, to me, is fine as a 3rd option on offense, so I would be looking for a high motor, strong interior defender at the 4, which isn’t Aldridge. To me, he’s not good enough to be a top 2 player on a title team, and his game is not the right fit to be a role player. That’s not to say he’s not a good player, because he clearly is. I just don’t think he’s what we need.
fwiw (which isn’t much), our first possession of the season resulted in an early shot clock 20 foot brick by LA. I think that was a bad omen. If that happens again next year, we might want to prepare ourselves for another first round exit.
Hey...you can't argue with that
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
I agree
But I think that puts our front office in a real bad situation. He’s not getting paid to be our #3 or 4 best offensive option when thats pretty much all he brings to the table
LA rebounded 12.7% of opponent misses
and Boozer, e.g., rebounded 19% of the opponent misses.
I’ll point out that Boozer only became a good rebounder recently (comparing full season stats from early in his career to this past year one will see a fairly good size bump in the totals—desire or permission?)
It’s not clear that becoming a better defensive rebounder makes your team overall better at defensive rebounding. O-Rebounding is a much more relevant individual stat.
I disagree
The more defensive rebounds a team has then the fewer shots the opponent gets and this magnifies the effect of offensive rebounding.
Strawman
I’m not arguing that d-rebounding isn’t important. I’m saying that individual d-rebound rates aren’t strongly predictive of team d-rebound rates. It’s not clear whether Boozer’s increased d-rebounding is him snagging boards that his team already would have grabbed, or is actually helping the team control the glass better.
He's a guy who only plays on offense
and is only pretty decent on that end. 65 million for a guy who’s a B player on one end and a C to D player on the other end is far too much. Especially for a guy whose potential is so much higher.
I also tend to think that it’s much better to have less talented overachievers on your team than talented underachievers, even if their production ends up being exactly equal. Hustlers shame their teammates into hustling. Loafers inspire their teammates to loaf.
I can’t claim to be hugely disappointed this year, though. I was hugely disappointed his third year when it first started being obvious that the guy has no heart, no passion, no winning spirit. This year just confirmed those things for me. At least he didn’t regress and start dogging it after he got his contract, which is a real danger with guys like LaMarcus.
Being Happy with Greg = Being Happy with LaMarcus
Nobody likes to see squandered potential, and I think part of what drives the LMA angst is the perception of exactly that. I don’t hear the people who are okay with LMA saying that his progression is to be cheered, or that he’s already an All-Star, etc. To me, LMA can stay right where he’s at, so simply progress more slowly, on a flatter curve, if we’ve got a healthy greg. So I have Greg angst instead of LMA angst.
If B-Roy/LMA/GO are the big three, I think at the end of the day, LaMarcus is the third one on that list. People can and have questioned Greg’s heart, but I don’t. When you watch him out on the floor, you can see he wants to dominate. And if you’ve got a 7’ center who wants to dominate, and an All-Star shooting guard who wants to dominate…. well you might just be better off with a power forward who will roam the space in between, letting the opportunities come to him as they are. In an offensive system where we expect both Brandon and Greg to draw double-teams, then isn’t LMA number one choice for both of their passes?
And for me, that makes LMA not so much 3rd in the 3, but 1st in the second tier of guys on the floor:
Tier 1: Brandon/Greg,
Tier 2: LaMarcus/Andre/Nic
Like the Whos down in Whoville they did it without boxes or ribbons or bows, they did without centers or posting down low. They won without All-Stars and Spaniards and Frenchmen. They won with old geezers and sub-par defense-men. They won playing rookies from deep off the benches. They won with their grit and their guts in the trenches. And some who observed them have been known to say that their hearts grew three sizes (at least!) on the way. One hopes with their poise and their passion now proven that once they are healthy their game will be groovin'.
LaMarcus becoming Rasheed Wallace
You know how Wallace started drifting further away from the hoop and now only shoots long 2s and 3s, that could be LaMarcus soon. If he is going to shoot a litany of 20 footers, he needs to take a page out of Channing Frye’s book and learn to to shoot the 3 ball. I’d prefer he would actually develop a post game but I have long since given up on him becoming an Amare Stoudemire player without a) better handles and b) willingness to absorb contact.
Secondly, I can’t believe it has not been mentioned yet but he is the worst on ball screener I have ever seen (that is where we really missed Joel and Oden). He sets weak screens just really bringing over a double team to Roy or Miller. Then my #1 pet peeve—HE NEVER ROLES TO THE HOOP ON A SCREEN AND ROLL!!!! Every single screen he sets he just pops out to 20 ft which is so easy to defend. Earth to LaMarcus, you are 6-11 and athletic, get into the lane and stop shooting fall away jumpers.
This summer he should practice rolling to the hoop upon screening and then either work on deep post moves or develop a 3 point shot. The Blazers as a whole take way too many long 2 pointers and he’s the main culprit.
YES!!!
I HATE seeing him set those weak-sauce screens (if you can even call them that). I can’t remember the last time he actually put a body on someone.
I’m an advocate for the Blazers running a pick and roll game, but if LA doesn’t get better at setting picks, it is a lost cause.
by andyisnumerouno on May 6, 2010 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
He get's a c this season to me
But i will say this, i believe the guy might have as much talent as any big man in the nba, if he added toughness as a more inside game he be a str8 up beast, tell me anybody when the last time you’ve seen him get blocked? he rarely can be, with his long arms, tho i hate his jumpers i haven’t really seen them get block, he can practically shoot over anybody, i’ve seen him run the floor as good as any big man, just think if he was just a bit more tougher and hungrier he be a beast, the guy has just as much talent as Roy if not more, he just lacks his drive. he reminds me of a more athletic Rasheed Wallace, without the anger problems and gray patch of course, but you all get what im saying. i dont see no reason why Lamarcus cant be a 20 and 10 guy other than toughness and wanting to be the man, when Roy got hurt you could just tell Lamarcus wanted no part of being the star and kind of leader, that kind of attitude holding him back, i just wish he realize how good he could be, he’s every bit as talented as a chris bosh or a amare or a boozer, he just has to want to be great not just good and add a bit more fire and toughness to his game and he be great.
focus on strengths
Instead of trying to force lma to go to his weakness, back down and go trough, I would love to see him used strength. He is one of the nba’s most mobile “7 footers” and we don’t use it enough. Look how phil uses odem. the candy man is constantly moving off picks and cutting week out the ball. Occasionally he’ll strength the d from the arc. With that skill set he is one of the league’s most unsung heros. I think aldridge could be used the same way. I would love to see him develop his handleand out side shot. Have him tire out his defender with off ball movement and occasional three point shot. He could run the side pick and roll with greg, camby and joel (fingers crossed). I would also like to see more of him catching the ball full speed at rim. Lets face it, he’ll never be able to back down his man and finish constantly. But there isn’t too many that can. Josh smith is another example. How often do you see smith back down, drop step and explode? Long story short. Aldridge should not have to dig in and bully every possession, he should be always moving. Btw excuse my sloppiness here I’m writing from my phone
No one in the world can beat me at RBI baseball 3(nes).
Like I said I'm on my phone
Edits: stretch out d instead of strength out d and without ball instead of week out ball. If i missed any others that are bothering you, get over yourself. jk
No one in the world can beat me at RBI baseball 3(nes).
Aldridge's problem on offense...
Is the inability to face up. His lack of ballhandling skills is what is killing him. Guys like Bosh, Amare, and Dirk score as much off post ups and jumpers as Aldridge does. The difference is they are able to take the ball to the basket and score layups and free throws. Teams are also unable to double as much when they are facing up.
I love Lma, period.
He is the most unselfish player.
He is the nicest guy.
He is the glue.
which makes him untouchable.
I would give him a B+ by his own standard and a A compared to other player on the team
by chinafansheartroy on May 7, 2010 9:34 AM PDT reply actions
Scola
elevated his game & outplayed Lamarcus last year in the playoffs and this year it was Amare & Frye who elevated their games and outplayed Lamarcus.
I truly believe Lamarcus will stay who he is – a decent PF who is a pretty good jump shooter during the season but who gets consistently outplayed when the games really count.
Prediction – Lamarcus will be part of the reason the Blazers win 55+games next season but he will be the MAIN reason why they don’t advance past round one again next year. Lamarcus will get outplayed by guys who want it more.
Right on
RipcityPhil you are exactly correct. I don’t understand the love fest for LMA. He is a nice guy by all accounts and ppl want him to do well but he just does not produce. I have never seen a player have the media and fans go out of their way to make so many excuses as to why he can’t get results or shouldn’t be required to. Of the people that Nate actually tries to run the offense through he has the worst Points per FGA by far. Its laughable. He is just not an efficient offensive player. He is never going to be a physical presence, its not his nature and the blazers have made a horrible mistake by paying him money as if he is a #2 option for a contending team. He is never going to be a guy that is going to dominate his matchup in a playoff series. This team needs someone else that can create points in the paint and get to the foul line and LMA is not the answer. You’ll notice that we didn’t have to make excuses for B-Roy vs Houston in the playoffs last year because he worked his butt off and produced at a pretty good clip vs. two of the best wing defenders in the world while LMA was cowering vs Scola and other role players.
Hmmm
2008/2009 playoffs
19.5ppg/ 7.5rpg Aldridge
16.1 ppg/ 6.6rpg Scola
2009/2010 playoffs
19.0 ppg/ 6.0rpg Aldridge
8.1ppg/ 6.1 rpg Frye
20.5ppg/5.5rpg Stoudemire (while Amar’e scored 1 point per game more than LMA…he was held below his seasonal average by 3ppg)
Sounds a lot like revisionist history and confirmation bias
Phil Mickelson: "A Great shot is when you pull it off.....a smart shot is when you don't have the guts to try it"’
by 92wastheyear on May 11, 2010 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
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