LMA at the 5- A new era?

[spurs10]

Are we getting ready to witness a major shift in our approach? Will LMA play the majority of his minutes at the 5? I've been hoping we see Gay playing the 4 and on the court with Kawhi, and Bertans and Kyle can potentially do the same. With only Gasol and Lauvergne as tradition bigs, are the days of LMA at the 4 going to be limited? Times they are a'changing.....maybe.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

How is this a major shift? He's been playing the 5 a lot since joining the Spurs and I imagine he'll continue to do so.

[spurs10]

How is this a major shift? He's been playing the 5 a lot since joining the Spurs and I imagine he'll continue to do so.
He's been playing the 5 some,but not primarily. He was either playing with Dedmon or Gasol a lot of the time. I guess another way to look at it is ask if our small ball minutes will go up considerably. I've been thinking he might start with LMA playing with Gasol, but might not play as much with two traditional bigs as we've often done.

[DeRozan m8]

Too soft.

And I thought Rudy said he's gonna be a gun off the bench?

It'll happen at times, but can't see it happening much more than it already has.

[bklynspursfan]

Too soft.

And I thought Rudy said he's gonna be a gun off the bench?

It'll happen at times, but can't see it happening much more than it already has.

They've got 3 bigs, and 1 of which likely won't play much. With LMA/Pau as the only true bigs vs last year with those 2 + Dedmon, Lee, and even Anthony, it seems more small ball is very likely

[SAGirl]

For sure. I also think it, among others, was a reason that LMA asked for a trade. He's accepted his new role bc he has to. He originally wanted out.

Anyways it may help his game if Pop's adjustments work out and he may end up better than last season.
Or he may not like it, still remain dissatisfied and move on. I am hoping things work out bc Spurs have been missing out on FA recently and they have to maximize what they have as a team. All these guards are meant to increase versatility and playmaking too which should help LMA who is not a playmaker and needs more around him (specially bc if rest and injuries to the old dudes).

[John B]

With the type of players Spurs are signing this off season, for sure Spurs are running it. LMA will be playing 5 most nights, and 4 with Pau depending on the matchup. OKC/Clips/Pel can go big.

[Seventyniner]

The Warriors, Rockets, and Thunder will all be starting perimeter-oriented PFs. Aldridge might prefer playing the 5 than having to keep up with Draymond/Ryan Anderson/Carmelo.

[NameLess Scrub]

He should get in shape.

Thanks.

Also this makes sense.


The Warriors, Rockets, and Thunder will all be starting perimeter-oriented PFs. Aldridge might prefer playing the 5 than having to keep up with Draymond/Ryan Anderson/Carmelo.

[hater]

5,6,7

Still a puss

[cd021]

I think the SL stays the same with Murray being subbed in for Parker. Gasol plays the first five minutes of each half at center while LMA plays the first eight minutes of each half ( 5 minutes at PF and 3 at C). Aldridge then slides over to the five and plays the final 8 minutes of each half at Center.

Gasol 26 MPG ( all at center)

Aldridge 32 MPG ( 10 at PF/ 22 at C)

Gay 28 MPG ( all at PF, final 7 minutes of each quarter)

Bertans 10 MPG ( all at PF, first 5 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarter)

[duncan2k5]

I rather us go big with gay or kawhi at the 2

[cd021]

With the type of players Spurs are signing this off season, for sure Spurs are running it. LMA will be playing 5 most nights, and 4 with Pau depending on the matchup. OKC/Clips/Pel can go big.

Don't know why the Thunder are among those teams with Westbrook-Roberson-George-Melo-Adams likely being their SL. The Clips and Pelicans are the only teams that can really play big and hurts teams

[spurs10]

I think the SL stays the same with Murray being subbed in for Parker. Gasol plays the first five minutes of each half at center while LMA plays the first eight minutes of each half ( 5 minutes at PF and 3 at C). Aldridge then slides over to the five and plays the final 8 minutes of each half at Center.

Gasol 26 MPG ( all at center)

Aldridge 32 MPG ( 10 at PF/ 22 at C)

Gay 28 MPG ( all at PF, final 7 minutes of each quarter)

Bertans 10 MPG ( all at PF, first 5 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarter) This is about what I'm thinking. :toast

[spurs10]

For sure. I also think it, among others, was a reason that LMA asked for a trade. He's accepted his new role bc he has to. He originally wanted out.

Anyways it may help his game if Pop's adjustments work out and he may end up better than last season.
Or he may not like it, still remain dissatisfied and move on. I am hoping things work out bc Spurs have been missing out on FA recently and they have to maximize what they have as a team. All these guards are meant to increase versatility and playmaking too which should help LMA who is not a playmaker and needs more around him (specially bc if rest and injuries to the old dudes). This is really interesting to me because there was speculation about LMA being unhappy here and statements he doesn't like playing the 5. I've just never heard it from him, so I wonder. I agree he will end up likely having a better season with the likely adjustments like you say. Also as Seventniner was saying, he surely doesn't want to be chasing a bunch of guys around the perimeter. His defense was pretty great last year and I expect improvement.

[DAF86]

If Aldridge is unhappy playing the 5, then he better retire because he has no more place in the NBA playing the 4.

[cd021]

If Aldridge is unhappy playing the 5, then he better retire because he has no more place in the NBA playing the 4.

Why would he be unhappy? Playing the 5 now is pretty much like playing the 5 four years ago. Seems fairly common now for for SFs and PFs to slide up.

[cd98]

A big man that loves to shoot outside. Wasn't he a 5 last year?

[RD2191]

If Aldridge is unhappy playing the 5, then he better retire because he has no more place in the NBA playing the 4.

[tholdren]

The only real position in the nba is the 1, and that is slowly fading away.

[itzsoweezee]

He could really extend his career is he plays the 5, especially if his fat ass gets in shape (no offense to LMA if he's out of shape because of the heart condition).

[Leetonidas]

Yeah hopefully Aldridge has gotten the fuck over it because most of the spurs best lineups will be with him at C. And with the NBA trending smaller and smaller with traditional low post players being virtually extinct these days it shouldn't even be a big deal. Its obvious spurs best lineups will feature LMA at the 5 with Gay/Bertans/Anderson next to him at the PF spot

[cutewizard]

Olajuwon would still thrive in todays NBA.....

[DAF86]

Why would he be unhappy?

I don't know. Those are the reports.

[spurs10]

Yeah hopefully Aldridge has gotten the fuck over it because most of the spurs best lineups will be with him at C. And with the NBA trending smaller and smaller with traditional low post players being virtually extinct these days it shouldn't even be a big deal. Its obvious spurs best lineups will feature LMA at the 5 with Gay/Bertans/Anderson next to him at the PF spot
Agree!

[TD 21]

He's played 46 and 31% of C, respectively, the past 2 seasons. The number will inevitably go up some, but the bigger shift won't be in the designation, but in one big lineups. Last season, he played 89% of his minutes next to a true big. With his knees feeling better (for now, at least) and him appearing to be in better shape, hopefully his defensive rebounding bounces back to '12-'16 levels.

A lot has changed in the past 2 seasons, to the point where he's probably aware and accepts, that he's going to be playing plenty of C for the remainder of his career. He'll probably always chafe if referred to as one though.


I think the SL stays the same with Murray being subbed in for Parker. Gasol plays the first five minutes of each half at center while LMA plays the first eight minutes of each half ( 5 minutes at PF and 3 at C). Aldridge then slides over to the five and plays the final 8 minutes of each half at Center.

Gasol 26 MPG ( all at center)

Aldridge 32 MPG ( 10 at PF/ 22 at C)

Gay 28 MPG ( all at PF, final 7 minutes of each quarter)

Bertans 10 MPG ( all at PF, first 5 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarter)

Been saying pretty much this for a while.

In reality though, the only projected starting lineups where Aldridge would be more suited to start at PF are: Cavaliers, Clippers, Timberwolves, Knicks, Pelicans, Kings, Raptors, Jazz.

[spurs10]

He's played 46 and 31% of C, respectively, the past 2 seasons. The number will inevitably go up some, but the bigger shift won't be in the designation, but in one big lineups. Last season, he played 89% of his minutes next to a true big. With his knees feeling better (for now, at least) and him appearing to be in better shape, hopefully his defensive rebounding bounces back to '12-'16 levels.

A lot has changed in the past 2 seasons, to the point where he's probably aware and accepts, that he's going to be playing plenty of C for the remainder of his career. He'll probably always chafe if referred to as one though.



Been saying pretty much this for a while.

In reality though, the only projected starting lineups where Aldridge would be more suited to start at PF are: Cavaliers, Clippers, Timberwolves, Knicks, Pelicans, Kings, Raptors, Jazz. Thanks for this. That's quite revealing that he played 89% of his time with a true big on the floor with him. I think your dead on about the biggest shift being the one big lineup. It certainly seem like this will be the case. Too bad we are playing ourselves tomorrow as there won't be much revealed. Looking forward to it though.

[james evans]

as long as we don't see him and Gasol on the floor TOGETHER I don't give a damn what that bum does

[BillMc]

He's played 46 and 31% of C, respectively, the past 2 seasons.

Thanks.

So, he played more time at center in 2016 than last year? (Or am I reading that backwards?) If he played more time at center his first year as a Spur, he should be happy as he had one of the most efficient years of his career, especially the second half of the season.

But, I think, he's chasing raw numbers (points per game regardless of efficiency)

[spurs10]

Thanks.

So, he played more time at center in 2016 than last year? (Or am I reading that backwards?) If he played more time at center his first year as a Spur, he should be happy as he had one of the most efficient years of his career, especially the second half of the season.

But, I think, he's chasing raw numbers (points per game regardless of efficiency) Definitely have TP and the Wilburys on my mind today along with the other American tragedy.

[BillMc]

Definitely have TP and the Wilburys on my mind today along with the other American tragedy.

Yeah, tragic day all around my friend.

[Seventyniner]

Thanks.

So, he played more time at center in 2016 than last year? (Or am I reading that backwards?) If he played more time at center his first year as a Spur, he should be happy as he had one of the most efficient years of his career, especially the second half of the season.

But, I think, he's chasing raw numbers (points per game regardless of efficiency)

It's surprising that there was that big of a difference from 2016 to 2017 given that Duncan and Pau played nearly identical numbers of games and minutes.

I would expect LMA to go to 60% at C this year because playing alongside Pau or Joffrey will make rotations really difficult.

[Chinook]

It's surprising that there was that big of a difference from 2016 to 2017 given that Duncan and Pau played nearly identical numbers of games and minutes.

I would expect LMA to go to 60% at C this year because playing alongside Pau or Joffrey will make rotations really difficult.

Duncan didn't come off the bench, though.

[Seventyniner]

Duncan didn't come off the bench, though.

True. Duncan played 61 games and started 60, Pau played 64 games and started 39.

But those numbers would point to LMA playing more C in 2017 than 2016 and the reverse was true. I guess in 2016 LMA was the starting PF and basically the backup C, while in 2017 Pau and Dedmon took up more C minutes than Duncan and Boban did in 2016.

[SAGirl]

True. Duncan played 61 games and started 60, Pau played 64 games and started 39.

But those numbers would point to LMA playing more C in 2017 than 2016 and the reverse was true. I guess in 2016 LMA was the starting PF and basically the backup C, while in 2017 Pau and Dedmon took up more C minutes than Duncan and Boban did in 2016.
No bc back when TD got hurt, DWEst started several games and the other guy to start games next to him even if it was just 15 minutes overall played was Kyle. Yup.

This time, Dedmon started instead. The others to occasionally get tagged for those minutes were Lee and Pau, who still closed games etc. Very rarely was there a few minutes of a Bertans or Kyle sighting with LMA. I could probably count those games in one hand.

[Seventyniner]

No bc back when TD got hurt, DWEst started several games and the other guy to start games next to him even if it was just 15 minutes overall played was Kyle. Yup.

This time, Dedmon started instead. The others to occasionally get tagged for those minutes were Lee and Pau, who still closed games etc. Very rarely was there a few minutes of a Bertans or Kyle sighting with LMA. I could probably count those games in one hand.

West played basically half his minutes at PF and half at C in 2016, while Dedmon was a full-time C. That probably explains the difference. West at C and LMA at PF is like when Duncan was a C in all but name and would start at "PF" alongside the "C" Blair.