Quote:
Originally Posted by STOMP
I sort of disagree with the Defined role (not a tweener) category. LA can guard most 4s and 5s. And while his offensive game is currently best suited for the high post, he can post up down low some as well.
To me the term tweener has bad connotations when a player isn't able to really fit into a traditional position role usually due to limited size or skills. But if a player's skills/abilities span more then one traditional positional role (like LA and Roy), thats a real positive because it gives a team more options within the flow of the game. LA's ability to effectively guard a variety of players is especially valuable on D as picks and rotations have players switching who they're guarding a lot. This is especially true for Bigs when a team is employing a zone.
Partially because of this, I'd definitely disagree with GOD's 4's & 5's ratings on the defensive end. I think he's a better then average player on that end of the court. He uses his great length effectively, has quick feet, and seems to disrupt the offensive flow/prevent good looks pretty well. Watching his rebounds, blocks, and steals stats steadily climb throughout the year enforced my opinion that he's going to form a great interior defensive tandem with Greg.
*side note* I just had memory flashes of a couple of my favorite LA high lights this year. I remember Iverson getting him in clear out isolations a couple times, and LA forcing ugly rafter scraping jumpers. On the other end, remember the consecutive right hand and then left hand hook shots he hit against the Lakers? My jaw about hit the floor.
STOMP
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So I can't give the guy tens on everything, but here are the 4s and 5s with a little explination.
5 Strength - A lot better then when he came into the league at a 1, but has work to do.
5 Individual defense - This may have been a tad harsh but I when defending certain players straight up he can get burned. His team D is better (like helping out on AI) but his individual D is lacking. I should have given him a 6, and I do think he will become an 8 or 9 one day. But D is very hard to learn and it takes time.
5 Defensive fundamentals - He is finally learning how to position his body to hold people off the blocks. Once again, I think I should have given him a slightly higher score.
5 Ability to draw fouls - With how much he has the ball and how defenders crowd him, he should be able to draw a lot more fouls. Especially since he is a big that can actually make the foul shot. Easy points at the end of games is how you win.
4 Slashing ability -He is not a slasher. Thats all right, he does a ton of other things.
4 Hesitation moves - Leave this to Roy. Aldridge is actually starting to develop a little up and under hesitation move from the high block.
4 Ball-handling skills - 4 is actually not bad for a seven footer.
4 Able to establish and hold position - This may be Aldridges biggest problem. Both on the offensive end to score and defensive end to grab rebounds, Aldridge has a hard time holding position.