Comments on: Aldridge says he’s a No. 1, Blazers should build around him

By: money2long

money2long — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:04:03 +0000

im not debating the rebound aspect..i just think true number one players possess the ability to impact a game defensively. it’s not a mandate, but to be a franchise player who the team builds around, you must be able to carry the team on both ends of the floor. allen iverson was a good off the ball defender, great at getting into passing lanes. shot blocking, shot altering, positioning, help defense ability, steals, can he keep the opposing big man from getting his averages.

does anyone believe aldridge makes strides in these aspects each game? maybe i need to watch him more, but the games i’ve watch him and it’s been a good enough sample size, he can make some improvements there. offensively, he can be trouble for opposing big men. he can move in the paint, can stretch the floor and i see him walk with the swagger of a number one. he wants the ball and he wants that pressure. in my mind, i didn’t feel he was too depressed seeing brandon roy decline and go only because it opened the door for him to be the man. not because he’s evil.

By: mlblogsbig3bosox

mlblogsbig3bosox — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:42:37 +0000

Actually, Aldridge can play defense. Not elite defense but solid defense. It’s just that to me he looks so much like Chris Bosh in Toronto or, like Kurt said, Gasol in Memphis. I bet that with a hard-nosed coach he could be a 20-10 guy just like Gasol became a double-double player with Phil.

By: money2long

money2long — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:35:34 +0000

defense would also be a plus.

By: tk41

tk41 — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:31:10 +0000

Its impossible to get the league-wide respect of a #1 guy without the performing like a #1 guy – Aldridge is yet to perform like a #1. His rebounding is decent, but not dominant, and he is somewhat of a 4/5 hybrid player.

When asked to shoulder his team’s game, Portland struggled. Portland’s biggest struggles last year were in games that “#1 guys” typically win – close games (point differential was only -0.6) and road games (8-25 road record).

Aldridge is a tremendously talented player (assuming he has fully recovered from his heart condition) – but I believe the comparisons to Pau Gasol are pretty apt.

Aldridge then was diagnosed with a serious

By: thomaskouns

thomaskouns — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:47:24 +0000

He’s a borderline number one.

If he rebounded better it would really elevate him to a new plateau but as it is he’s an average at best rebounder for a 4.

By: nbascreed

nbascreed — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:31:02 +0000

He’s a number one but his logic as to why is severly flawed.