azsun18

I am not so sure about:
"Likewise, I don't think LaFrentz and Aldridge should be out there together because the interior defense would be pretty shaky. "

I think LA interior defense is going to be better then Zach already. LA can't band with the big centers, but should do okay against some of the PF's in the league. I remember a review of his post the summer league and they said he was already a pro level shot blocker. I also think that RL is going to be better then we think. Having a center that can spread the defense should be very helpful. I am not so sure of the breakdown of the minutes, it is too early to tell. Let them come in and fight it out in training camp. This year is much better then last year when it was whichever Theo or Joel was healthy they would play until foul trouble, and then we would crinch whenever Ha or Zach would play center.

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Public Defender

I guess what I should have said is that none of these three should be on the floor at the same time together: Randolph, LaFrentz, and Aldridge.

However, I'm least worried about Randolph because when his game is going well on offense, he's actually a pretty decent defender - has quick hands for steals, uses his help, and can be a beast on the boards.

The best case is to have either Przybilla or Magloire on the floor at center all the time, so the Blazers have someone who you know will be providing tough defense inside, going after boards, setting screens, and doing the other tough stuff inside - things that Randolph, LaFrentz, and at least at this point, Aldridge, aren't as suited to.

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Redbeard

PF-
Zach 30 minutes
Raef/Jamaal 18 minutes

C-
Joel 25 minutes
Jamaal 15 minutes
Raef Aldridge 8 minutes

I see it being something like that to start. I don't see LA playing much in the beginning. Jamaal will get about 25 minutes between PF and C, which should be acceptable for him to start. Once the rain hits, the knees will get sore and playing time will increase for Jamaal and LA.

Not to much to worry about IMO. We ended up having to play HA last year as our only true C available, so I think minutes will get around.

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dudleysghost

Magloire's really a C, and Raef is more of a PF. Either can play the other position if necessary, but with the big men we have, it won't be necessary. Zach gets 35 minutes as the starting PF, Raef gets the backup mins. I don't know whether Magloire or Joel will start at C, but either way they will probably split the time there about evenly, as Joel and Theo did last year when they were both healthy. That way we have at least one capable scorer and one good interior defender/rebounder on the court at all times. Aldridge will probably get tossed a few charity minutes here and there, but early in the season he will mostly just have to wait for someone to get injured or traded, in which case he would become the backup at either position.

Public Defender

The consensus that folks appear to be coming to here concerns me a little.

First off, I think we can all agree that the Blazers are going to continue to be one of the worst teams in the NBA next season. If not, then allow me to disagree with anyone who thinks the team will approach .500. I'm hoping for 35 wins, but that's the best I think will happen.

That said, shouldn't a top priority be to develop the young talent? I saw on another thread the concerns about making a trade that would limit Brandon Roy's playing time - but what about Aldridge's? I mean, the Blazers picked this guy second overall. Shouldn't he get a little more than the garbage minutes left behind by the likes of Raef LaFrentz? Nor will he pick up many minutes at C because of Jamaal Magloire's arrival (even though it seems doubtful that he'll stay?)?

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PorterIn2004

I could see nearly any four of our five current bigs being a significant part of the team over the next half decade or so. Aldridge is almost certain to be one of the four. It makes sense to me for HQ to take at least part of this season to try and decide who else they want to try planning around.

Another factor is that Nate's been clear he really intends to play the best players. If the veteran players get the sense that younger guys are getting minutes ahead of them without having earned them, Nate's in a hard place.

That said, I do see your point. Luckily, Nate and the coaching staff are the ones who've gotta solve these issues.

barfo

Yeah, but that's what we say every year, and it doesn't really seem to happen. Why should this year be different?

barfo

dkap

A better question (than how the minutes break down) is how the season breaks down. Aldridge presumably gets sparse minutes early, but if he shows he's physically ready to compete, he might be playing 20 minutes per game by the end of the season. That would significantly alter the minutes distribution as the season progresses.

Dan

dudleysghost

Nate's philosophy seems to be that the young guys will get minutes when they earn it. That's a great way to do it IMO, because the alternative is wrecking team chemistry by giving someone playing time they don't deserve. It's management's job to worry about roster balance. LaFrentz is probably untradeable, and Joel is probably here to stay as well, but Pritchard and Patterson will certainly listen to offers on Magloire and Zach. Until then, or until the likely even that one of the other four big men gets hurt, Aldridge can keep working hard in practice and set a near-term goal of being as good or better than Raef, so he can get on the court.

mediocre man

It's how they have to earn it that concerns me. Martell was working hard, but made dumb mistakes on defense last year so Dixon got more playing time. That was a mistake that put the Blazers further behind in their development as a competitive team.

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dkap

Martell simply wasn't ready to play. Khryapa and Monia were also young guys, but they were much more game ready. Dixon at least had experience. All Martell could do was shoot, but he didn't even know how to get open.

Dan

Utherhimo

reaf will be zacks back up and he cold play a bit of sf too

while Jamaal and Joel will play the center with some spot minutes for Reaf

LA will get garbage time till he proves he can play with the big boys

i dont see this as a problem what is more worrying is miles and outlaw at the sf with webster filling in, if miles or outlaw have break out years we will be fine but thats a big butt!

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Foulzilla

Has he ever in his career played sf? I'm trying to figure out where this statement comes from, as it's become an increasingly common comment. Is it just momentum from enough other people saying it, or is there some basis on which to claim that he can actually play sf? I just don't see it, particularly after his loss of mobility over the past few years.

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ebott

I say you send Aldridge down to the D league.