LaMarcus Aldridge Is Soft
Posted on 27. Apr, 2010 at 10:24 am by bbryan in Basketball, NBA Basketball, NBA Playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers
When the Blazers needed him most, LaMarcus Aldridge was no where to be found. With the Blazers leading 23-11 in Game 5, Marcus Camby picked up his 2nd foul with 4:45 left in the first quarter. Nate McMillan sent Camby to the bench like this was his first playoff series he’s ever coached (which is a subject for another post). With all due respect to Juwan Howard, this left the Blazers centerless against Phoenix’s first string. The Blaze really needed LA to step it up and fill in for Camby down low, he failed epically. 2 rebounds and zero blocks. Ouch. For a guy that goes 6’ – 11” 240 LBS and body chiseled from the gods, this is flat out unacceptable. For the series, LA is averaging 3.6 defensive rebounds in 36.8 minutes per game. In contrast, ex Blazer Channing Frye is averaging 5.8 defensive rebounds in 29.2 minutes. For whatever reason LA is afraid of contact, evident by his poor defensive rebounding and by his love for the fade away jumper. How many times have we seen him turn away from the hoop, lean back and shoot a 12 footer when a drop step towards the hoop and going up strong would have resulted in a lay-in. The Blazers made a huge mistake in locking this guy up for big money long term. At best he’s a #3 option on a contending team. They would have been better off keeping Frye and using Aldridge as trade bait to bring in a real man like Bosh or Stoudemire.
Stake
27. Apr, 2010
He might be the worst pick an roll defender the game has ever seen. Bayless is equally pathetic though too. LA, Rudy, and Marty are three of the softest players around. It must feel awesome to get destroyed by Frye and Dudley. Jared fucking Dudley?
bbryan
27. Apr, 2010
Good point on the Pick ‘n’ Roll defense Stake. He is brutal at that as well, always trying to switch instead of flash and get back.
3d
27. Apr, 2010
And he runs like he’s prancing up and down the floor. Boo LA.
Tom
27. Apr, 2010
You guys are just figuring this out? Aldridge has been a major disappointment. Everytime I see him throw up a fade away jumper, I shake my head in disgust. He has no idea how to get to the foul line, how to defend or how to play as a big. He is Channing Frye, without the three ball.
El Rey
27. Apr, 2010
He is Rasheed Wallace-lite. Minus any fire and 60 Ts a year.
Machew
19. Apr, 2011
You guys are pathetic. When B. Roy went down LaMarcus stepped up his game. He’s led the Blazers since then. You’re even more pathetic to criticize his running. Seriously? Get over it. He should have made All-Star and hes the most improved player on the team.
Stake
19. Apr, 2011
Hey Machew, go chew on some glass. If you weren’t a complete idiot you would have noticed the post and subsequent comments were from a year ago. LA is the man and has become an elite player. I hope you’re over the age of 10, if not you should reevaluate your existence on the planet.