The new but not SUFFICIENTLY improved LaMarcus Aldridge?
by looster401 on Mar 26, 2011 2:45 AM PDT
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PrintFirst off, tonight's win was spectacular in that the Blazers were looking for a 2nd or 3rd option on essentially every play on the offensive end. The Spurs defense stifled every set play and completely disrupted any rhythm we tried to develop and forced us into more difficult shots than we wanted seemingly every time down the floor.
As fun as it was to see Nicolas Batum have another solid offensive performance and net his first ever game-winner, as refreshing as it was to watch Andre Miller keep the team afloat down the stretch with his scoring (haven't seen as much of that this season compared to last), as great as it was to see Gerald Wallace and Wesley Matthews scrambling to give us the extra possessions we needed to make our comeback, LaMarcus Aldridge's performance (as well as his play in general over the last few weeks since earning his Player of the Month honors for February) concerned me a bit.
I'm not saying I expected to be ENTITLED to another 40 point outburst like we saw the last time these teams met, nor that due to his breakout play this season should we come to expect such showings every game, but the Aldridge we are now used to seeing should have fared better against the defensive options the Spurs had available tonight. He should have been able to go around Tiago Splitter and Antonio McDyess at will, and simply shoot OVER DeJuan Blair, yet it never really came to pass. What we did see reminded me of the Aldridge of old-- unwilling or unable to take advantage of his length, strength, and athleticism in the post, settling instead for tough face-up jumpers, hitting a few of them but never really looking like the unstoppable inside player we hoped to see since he was drafted.
Aldridge has always been able to score for this team, but he was never a true game-changer until this year. Forgive me for being greedy, but now I expect to see it every night. I think most doubters among our fanbase have already become believers in his transformation from solid NBA starter to superstar/franchise cornerstone, and that's not likely to change before season's end. However, to me, tonight was an indication that "vintage" Aldridge has not been completely eradicated.
Cause for concern? I don't know. New Aldridge could and very well might reappear during the rest of this stretch run. We've got OKC next. By all accounts, new Aldridge should perforate their bigs even worse than the Spurs'. I hope he does.
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No need to put too much on it.
We got guys who can’t not shoot a 3 when they are wide open. Yes it was a so so game for him. But really, things look like when guys don’ t make shots around him. Teams are gonna game plan to shut him down. If he gets going down low, everything gets too easy for everyone else. The best thing about the Spurs game was the whole starting lineup in double figures. That in and of itself will help this team win. If the offense is more balanced, its more difficult to defend. Wins are more important then 1 guy on 1 night. Since the POM award – teams have made an effort to guard him more and as a result our team is getting better.
by roosterray on Mar 26, 2011 7:26 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
thank you for this comment.
I am sick of comments that throw LMA under the bus whenever he doesn’t show up in complete beast mode. LMA is a team leader…and by this I mean…by being in the game he improves the play of others. It is not all about HIM. And his stats.
I have confidence in LaMarcus as a person and as a player and his ability to do what is best..for the team. I figure he probably knows a little bit more about how to play the game than we the fans do.
by Natsthecat on Mar 26, 2011 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
This post was in response to a stretch of performances, not just last night's.
Frankly, Aldridge has seemed less aggressive in recent weeks, reminiscent of the Aldridge of old, and looking less like the Aldridge that took Player of the Month honors in February. You may not like to see comments that allude to this, but the issue may be cause for concern come playoff time nonetheless.
Well I hope, for both of our sake...
…as well as for the benefit of the team’s playoff prospects, that your confidence is well-founded.
In the month of March...
We are 9-4… LaMarcus has scored no less then the 14 points he scored last night. He has scored 20+ eight times… 24+ 4 times and has shot over 50% from the field.
I don’t mind seeing these comments that allude to his failures… I just prefer that there is some substance to them.
LMA had to carry us in February. With Crash added and Nic stepping up it is better for us NOT to have him be forced to carry us every night.
#12 is MUCH improved!.. If that is not sufficient for you I understand… But is is for me!
GO BLAZERS!!!
well said
He’s not gonna average 28 ppg all the time like he did in February. There’s nothing disappointing about those stats you posted
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Mar 26, 2011 7:12 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
The Spurs were particularly rough with him last night
The refs let a lot go off the ball in terms of fighting for position. Even when Aldridge got the ball he saw physical defense from all around him. As others have pointed out, the best thing for him to do when he gets double and triple teamed is to pass to an open shooter who is supposed to make their shot.
A successful game for him isn’t in his scoring numbers then, but in his turnover numbers. If he can get the ball out of the double team, it gives his/our team an advantage. Going strictly by statistics hides an awful lot, because these days we are running our offense through Aldridge, his hockey assists leading to ball movement and open shots. I cannot think of any other way to play an “inside-out” game than how LaMarcus has been playing. Also, like “Ilikeemall” pointed out, Aldridge is far from posting bad numbers – he just has more help now and we can play a more complete game, a game that isn’t “stop Aldridge, stop the Blazers.”
Seriously, look at those elite scorers in the NBA and through history. Anthony and Ellis can post great individual numbers, but is their style of playing actually helping their teams? This is why I love Aldridge – he could force up shots and get his numbers every night, but he plays a mature game the right way and helps his teammates become better because of it. Sometimes this might mean a quiet night from him, but thats what a leader does, put the team before himself.
I'm a little concerned too, and not just because of the San Antonio game.
I mentioned the possibility of regression to the mean with LaMarcus about a month or so ago. I didn’t think he’d go all the way back to the Old LaMarcus but I thought it possible that he settle into something halfway between New LA and Old LA.
If you look at his splits, that kind of looks like it’s happening this month. He’s back to shooting a lot of jumpers, his rebounding is dropping, and his blocks and steals are way down too.
OKC is no pushover inside now that they have Kendrick Perkins—they’re now one of the tougher interior defensive teams now.
The old LA ate Perkins for lunch
The new LA will dominate him even more. LA struggled against Boston because of Garnet’s length. Perkins can’t stay with him.
PTB Liberation Day - 2/10/04
by tssbro on Mar 26, 2011 5:10 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I think last's nights game was a bad example
The refs were letting the Spurs get away with mugging him…all night long
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Mar 26, 2011 8:40 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
That there was a preview of playoff basketball.
Come this postseason, let’s hope that LMA doesn’t become Charles Smith circa 1993 with the Knicks.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
whoa there
lamarcus drew a ton of pressure from the spurs defense. they doubled him and hit him with a lot of different looks…other “superstars” would have jacked up shots to get their numbers, but LA played within the flow of the game. we should be praising that…not criticizing it. LA took 12 shots yesterday…tied for the least in the starting lineup. LA is the best offensive player on the team, but its not like the entire offense goes through him….things have more of a balanced approach now.
Roy is like herpes...he comes and goes, but we are stuck with him for life.
by Philthyanimal on Mar 26, 2011 8:44 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I am somewhat concerned
LMA was consistently attacking the rim last night only in the 1st quarter, and his close-in shots were mostly failures. For the rest of the game, with only a couple exceptions, he settled for jumpers. We need to see him more aggressive in the paint. Yes, the Spurs played him tough physically. Yes, the refs allowed more physical play than they usually do in the regular season. But the players have to play the game the way it is being officiated. If physical play is being allowed, that’s what our team needs to do. We cannot be intimidated by the opponent, or mope and moan when calls don’t go our way. In the closing minutes, a mental lapse (not by LMA, but by a seasoned veteran who should know better) almost cost our team the game, when complaining to the refs took priority over playing defense, allowing Ginobli to sink a 3-pointer. In the playoffs, we can anticipate much rougher play than in the regular season. Last night’s win was a spectacular victory. We should take nothing from that. But there are lessons to be learned. Our team has not arrived yet. If we are to go past the first round, LMA needs to step up his level of play, and show us the Beast that earned him WCPOTM.
Win the day!
Coffee is for Closers!
Always Be Closing!
by Blzr fan on Mar 26, 2011 9:00 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Player of the Month, actually...
:)
but ya, i would agree that i have been a little concerned over the past week or two. although, if he hadnt missed those to alley oops, the impression might be a little different. i would love to see LA hit his drive a little quicker. he’s getting a lot of delayed double teams and ive seen a number of times where it looks like he could catch them off guard with a quicker move. and of course, i would love to see him get better going left. can you imagine how glorious it would be if he could spin left and drive to the basket with strength? ….ok, i just imagined it and i swooned just a little bit…
Blair in particular seemed to be giving him trouble, reminding me of the days when strong, smaller players would hamper him. to my eyes, LA was getting mugged my Blair, but that kind of play will likely be allowed in the playoffs as well, so he’s going to have to get used to it.
basically i agree… to an extent…. i thought i saw plenty of opportunities for LA to take it harder to the Spurs, but there was a concerted effort to stop Aldridge, so i am not truly WORRIED yet. just concerned.
I'd still honk once!
Unbelievable!!!...
Go back and look at LMA’s game by game stats for March and February.
A guy who puts up numbers like those has the right to have a mere mortal 14 & 8 game occasionally!.. He was forced by circumstances to carry us for all of Feb…. Nic and Crash… among others are there to help him now.
SA doubled him on the pass for most of the 2nd half… Also… even as a Blazer fan I don’t feel like I’m being ridiculous saying that Blair could have been called for a foul EVERY TIME down the floor in the 4th quarter.
Man oh Man I get tired of the constant desire to find fault in players!
WE WON THE GAME!!!… And we wouldn’t have without LMA… and Crash… and Andre… and Nic… and Wes… and…
GO BLAZERS!!!
by Ilikeemall on Mar 26, 2011 11:00 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
another thank you.
It seems there are those who will find a way to look at that half empty glass no matter what.
seriously dude chill out...
someone can have an opinion that is different and you don’t have to applaud everyone that agrees with you. Let people discuss without dominating the conversation.
As I don't think I could have made any clearer...
This issue takes nothing away from last night’s AMAZING win. I was as excited as any fan watching down the stretch, and THRILLED with the outcome. But when the dust settles you have to realize that the NBA is not about one game. There’s always another tough matchup (or in this case, a whole bunch of tough matchups) on the horizon. Everyone is talking about us as “the team no one wants to face in the first round”. That kind of chatter adds excitement to this regular season stretch run, but does it mean our chances of actually GETTING to the second round are any better once the playoffs actually start? That’s the issue here. I’ve been following this team my whole life and their return to perennial playoff-caliber team over these last few seasons has been marvelous. Now I want more. CAN it happen? Certainly! But there are issues that need to be worked out, and this is one of them. If a thrilling regular season win against a tough opponent is enough to satisfy you, fine. I, however, believe we do ourselves a disservice as fans not to think about the bigger picture.
I think the bigger picture includes getting the entire team involved! The rest of the team
also need to make their shots!!! At one point I was cringing to see that same iso move where the ball was thrown into LMA in or near the post…almost every play!!! He would then either have to back the defender down or pass out of the double team…sometimes when there was no one anywhere NEAR him!!! The rest of the team were doing another “lets all watch the ONE guy do his thing”…now at least the rest of the team is moving…cutting and it’s not automatically LMA that one LMA play time after time!!!
I do think the Blazers will need to improve their defense…not sure how they will do this. It seems at times they step it up but at others they mess around. I think that down the stretch, the ENTIRE TEAM’S FOCUS will be important more than anything.
I think LaMarcus is suffering from a lack of easy shots.
Back in Feb. Lamarcus was getting 3 or 4 easy buckets every game. Last night he missed a couple oops, but going back before last night the number of times aldridge is getting the ball in the post is down. When he was on fire he was taking 20 fga per game and getting 8fts. Now since the return of roy and camby and the addition of wallace he has gone back to 12 fga per game and only getting 4 fta. I know with the added scoring of roy and wallace he doesn’t have to be the only option, but if we want to win everything must begin and end with aldridge in the post. One good sign from last nights game was the return of the big to big lob from camby to aldridge. If they can get that going again it will be huge for us. when aldridge was on fire it was because no one could front him or 3/4 front him without giving up the lob. With the lob gone you see double teams on the entry and constant fronting of the post. If we can go back to making teams pay for fronting aldridge and doubling on the catch we can go back to seeing the new Lamarcus dominating again.
When you take position into account, it's not that surprising that his production is down
LMA gives the most production and efficiency as a PF. Lately, he’s been playing almost exclusively as a C, where he is less productive and efficient. This is exactly what past experience would have predicted.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
really?
I haven’t looked but I thought his numbers went dramatically up when Canby got injured.
His numbers went dramatically up after Dec 15
It didn’t coincide with Camby’s injury, and he even had his best stretch of rebounding performances before Camby got hurt. Also, I’m not referring to LA playing without Camby, I’m referring to him playing as the center. Playing next to Pryz, Marks, Collins, and sometimes Cunningham doesn’t count.
Some metrics say LA’s better as a center, others that he’s worse, and they all define the position differently. However, he attempts more shots and hits them at a higher percentage when he plays PF. Other things tend to be a wash.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
ok
I guess I must have read the stuff about him being better as a center. Sounds like you know better than I.
he was player of the month
when camby was out.
Roy is like herpes...he comes and goes, but we are stuck with him for life.
by Philthyanimal on Mar 26, 2011 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Correlation is not causation
It’s not about whether or not Camby plays, it’s about how much time LMA spends at center.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
Not concerned about scoring; concerned about crunch time failures
LMA is fine when it comes to scoring. One game isn’t going to change my opinion of him there or scare me in any way.
What is concerning is the 2 bricked freebies with less than 2 minutes left trailing by 3. LMA really tightens up when the game is on the line. It doesn’t look like he will be able to be counted on in big moments. And that’s a huge problem.
Very large problem…
What is this team to do now that Roy looks like he is going to be very unassertive for at least the rest of this season? Wallace is proving to be more of a defensive guy whose shot is pretty ugly at times. Matthews is not a goto offensive guy. Is Batum stepping up now? I sure hope so. The last few games could be a coming out party for Batum. Let’s see if he can keep it going for the last dozen or so games. Fingers crossed.
There's no question of Nico's talent
And he doesn’t lose his head in pressure situations. The only question is whether he’s got the drive to get there. He got a taste of what it’s like being the guy making the big play to win the game. Does he want that enough to work to become somebody that you can count on every time? I think so, but from here on it’s all on him.
Doesn’t get much bigger than last night, and he came through. Not bad for a young guy, but there’s still work to do.
When the world knows Nico Batum as "The Inevitable", I'll be very happy with where he is as a player.
"Batum, who stands 8 feet tall with a 9-foot wingspan and never makes mistakes..." - Posting and Toasting
I still believe in #52. See you soon, Greg!
Clutch free throw guy?
OK, Aldridge proved a long time ago he gets shaky at the line, especially when he’s needed to be clutch. Against the Spurs, Lamarcus’ talent for choking became verifiable.
Cats as a class, have never completely got over the snootiness caused by that fact that in Ancient Egypt they were worshipped as gods. - P G Wodehouse
LMA had a bad night--no question
The Spurs game plan was, #1, to not let LMA do his thing. And in Blair, they have exactly the type of squat, muscular defender that’s always given LMA problems (e.g., Chuck Hayes).
As a result, LMA never got a rhythm, meaning that when he DID have an open shot (or even a free throw), he missed it. Credit the Spurs for a good game plan.
But LMA will learn from last night and continue to grow. It should help him that the team won even without much help from him. Good for LMA to know he doesn’t have to carry the load for the Blazers to beat a top team. Less pressure = better performances.
I still believe in Greg Oden. The Blazers' medical staff? Not so much.
I'd change my handle to "bringback'09," but I'm too lazy.
a learning experience for all, undoubtedly
It is fortunate that our team won despite LMA having an off night. Every player on our team needs to know that they will be depended upon. We cannot afford to have anything than maximum effort from all members of our team. LMA needs to get used to the more physical style of play which will be encountered for the rest of the regular season and thoughout the playoffs. Time to MAN UP. Looking forward to LMA returning to Beast mode.
Win the day!
Coffee is for Closers!
Always Be Closing!
Props to the Spurs for actually slowing him down
I’m guessing they don’t get that kind of leeway from the refs next time we face them on Monday. Aldridge got mugged all night and put up pretty decent numbers. That ability is going to be awesome in a defensive battle in the playoffs where both teams are shooting sub 40%.
LET THE GUY REST! IT'S THE REST OF THE TEAMS TURN NOW
how many 40 minute games has he played? we got roy camby and wallace now. let LA pace himself for the playoffs. and d blair is only 6 7 but he’s a beast nonetheless
this seems like it's completely missing the point
we should all be happy that on a night where LMA was covered extremely well all night long, we have other people on the team who can step up and show the poise and determination to beat the best team in the league in the last seconds of the game when we absolutely had to have it.
This team now has several weapons and is showing real growth and maturity, which btw happens because of nights like this and you want to pile on LA for not repeating a 40 point scoring performance in another win against the best team in the league? Games like this make us a better team, make individuals more confident and more battle ready. Just think it’s really strange that this gets brought up now. LA is twice the player he was last year, and we should all be stoked.
Sure things might not be looking great right now, but look on the bright side. I have liquor.
by Tyler Durrden on Mar 26, 2011 1:48 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Aldridge's numbers have dropped slightly
because he is being thoroughly scouted now. If earning conference player of the month and 40ish point games against the two best teams in the league isn’t enough for other teams to start planning far more consciously around LMA, I don’t know what is.
In his highest scoring games LMA was consistently put under single coverage. We are not going to see any more single coverages of LMA, ever. The next step is not for Aldridge to up his scoring, but for him to pass out of the doubles, and for the rest of the team to take advantage of the doubles.
\\\oo///
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\__/
It seems that he has really improved his passing.
Not that it still couldn’t improve. If anyone could have stuck a few of those threes last night it would have been a whole different game.
Aldridge 2.0 -- Awesome!!! Clutch free throw shooting, would be nice, though
I once heard that team players have much bigger problems clutch freethrows than those who are more individualistic.
An awesome team player in the flow of a game can perform at a high level and make his free throws because they are able to kind of hide within the team. At clutch freethrow time, however, these types of players have problems because they suddenly find themselves as an individual — a situation they are not comfortable in.
Yesterday was a regression game for LA — he hasn’t miffed the clutch free throw in a while. Maybe his performance yesterday changed his perspective a little. I saw him make a turnover when he tried to pass to Brandon — he deferred a 3 pointer to BRoy instead of his own shot when he was open.
I want him to come out aggressive next game against the Spurs and reel off 40 points!
I want to see him pushing someone one to the ground the next time they try to mug him like they did last night.
I want to see him — or anyone — foul Parker HARD on a drive. I want him to actually know what it is like to get hurt on a foul instead of acting like it to get one.
That said — Aldridge 2.0 = Awsome.
Aldridge's deveopment has led to a better overall offensive execution.
When the blazer’s score better than 31 two point baskets they win better than 75% of their games. Last night they made 33 two point shots. This indicates that they were following their offense—it may not of looked pretty but it was good enough for them to win. This game was actually better than it looked for the blazer’s, to whit: the blazer’s took 26 three point shots making 7 which is around the amount they normally make. So if I had a gripe about the blazer performance last night it would concern the shooting of so many three’s and that’s not on aldridge.
If the Blazers lost, a lot of people would be agonizing about LA's botched freethrows.
I think everyone’s opinions about LA’s numbers dropping are correct, but certainly I am nervous about his clutch abilities at the line, especially in the playoffs. But Batum—wow, is that guy poised like some seasoned vet or what? I completely trust him and Miller for the crunchtime freethrows.
Touches
Nobody seemed to know how to get LMA the ball. Yes he was getting mugged and yes he missed an oop, but the main reason he didn’t score more is he didn’t get his hands on the ball enough.
Right now Dre’s the only guard who consistently knows how to feed him. Well, Dre and Camby (who delivered the successful lob; a move he basically invented for LMA). That’s a growing/learning situation that needs to get worked on: push the ball into Lamarcus, then either beast it up or bring the defensive double and kick out to the open shooter.
by Outlandish Josh on Mar 26, 2011 4:18 PM PDT reply actions
What concerns me is he wasn't making shots and then kind of went away....
I like that he is playing within the game. However, he unselfish wiliingness to defer will occasionally rear its head. It is something he has toi understand that against a Duncanless SA team, ya gotta make them more than account for you..
We have seen LA.1 and LA.2… LA.3 will be more of him knowing what he is going to do with the ball before he gets it. Be it go to the rim, shoot or pass. He will be in motion before the defense can set. That is what I am loking forward to.
Beyond better scouted, I think part of what we are seeing RIGHT now is a lot of role changes with the entire team since he was Player of the Month. This leads to hesitation with everyone. I have no doubt he wil get it figured out
Roy Bashing~ "Blakes gone...Brandon is next alphabetically " ;-}
by Hermistonmelons on Mar 27, 2011 8:23 AM PDT reply actions
Im concerned opposing teams are starting to figure LMA out.
Every play is the exact same thing with him, get the ball on the right side, a couple post up dribbles then a strong move with his right hand to the paint and to the rim. It would only take a couple minutes of watching game tape to see that. Now, every play, the guard at the top of the key (manu for the spurs) would slowly cheat down, anticipating the drive. LMA needs to develop a strong left hand move in my opinion.
It makes sense, but I'm not so sure that's the whole story
Teams already knew what he was going to do months ago, they just couldn’t stop him. He just isn’t as dominant or aggressive, and he’s also been taking fewer shots. My guess would be that, with the addition of Wallace, the return of Roy, and Nic getting his stroke back, LA is getting out of his rhythm.
It’s not that he’s been playing poorly. He’s just been less dominant than we know he is.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
True That
He can grow. But i think you are more than right in that he may be wearing down. It is why we need one more Big. Be it Oden or some version opf an improved pendergraph or even this Colins kid. I like his defensive instincts
Roy Bashing~ "Blakes gone...Brandon is next alphabetically " ;-}
by Hermistonmelons on Mar 27, 2011 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions
He needs the drop step to the basket.
Kind of intimidating to do because it is a move that you are initially blind to where you are going. It is similar to what I said about knowing what you are going to do before you get the ball. You have to “Preread” the Defense. That is what I am saying about how i would make version LA.3
Roy Bashing~ "Blakes gone...Brandon is next alphabetically " ;-}
by Hermistonmelons on Mar 27, 2011 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Alot of people are neglecting to mention
LMA has played a ridiculous amount of minutes this year. you can’t play 45-50 minutes a game at 7ft tall and not get warn out.
I hope he gets some rest before the playoffs.
The Blazers are the 'big brother' in this relationship
The little brother gets a new toy (all star) and the big brother has to go break it.
-----KFBR392
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