Was Aldridge worth it, tbh?

[dabom]

Gasol is trash in a Spurs uniform. Dude is a bum compared to LMA. We have one of the greatest teams in the NBA ever and people think Gasol would be a better fit? ing casuals.

[ceperez]

I'm gonna now bump this after every Spurs win.

What does Spurs winning have to do with Aldridge?

[dabom]

What does Spurs winning have to do with Aldridge?

A lot actually. Rebound and score and defend. Allows Tim to rest which is a big thing for the playoffs. And he clearly needs it this year. He allows Tim to play strictly defense and it shows.

[ceperez]

A lot actually. Rebound and score and defend. Allows Tim to rest which is a big thing for the playoffs. And he clearly needs it this year. He allows Tim to play strictly defense and it shows.

I wouldn't have noticed.... he seems to be invisible in important games.

[dabom]

I wouldn't have noticed.... he seems to be invisible in important games.

Turn on your tv next time. Might help you.

[Arcadian]

Without Aldridge, we wouldn't even be contenders, tbh. We'd be way too reliant on 24-yo Leonard and 39-yo Duncan. We need that extra scoring option.

[ceperez]

Without Aldridge, we wouldn't even be contenders, tbh. We'd be way too reliant on 24-yo Leonard and 39-yo Duncan. We need that extra scoring option.

He's named David West.

[dabom]

He's named David West.

[Arcadian]

He's named David West.

David West is 6'9. We need the size of another 7-footer.

[ceperez]

In the last 5 games, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2177/david-west

West is averaging 62.9% from the field, 9.8 points, 18.8 minutes of play
Aldrige is averaging 40.0% from the field, 8.2 points, 20 minutes of play

obviously you folks are biased just because West doesn't pass your eye-test.

[cd98]

Does Aldridge's performance against Warriors (and other good teams) cost him an all-star spot? Can't think Spurs would only get one all-star.

[TD 21]

TD21 already diagnosed the problem with this team: Lack of perimeter firepower, explosive 3 point shooting, and the inability to get to the line (which is a big weakness if you're not a team that can volume shoot 3 pointers at a good percentage).

As much as I love Kawhi, I think my fears are coming true that his peak scoring ability (while maintaining good efficiency) just might be around the 18ppg-20ppg mark. Sure, he could average 25+ on a ty team where he can volume shoot, but for his efficiency to remain solid, he's a player who needs to pick his spots carefully and score within the offense. He's not Curry, Durant, Harden, Lebron, one of those players who can create spots for himself off the dribble. He's got a nice post game, and that's about it. I want him to become a dribble-drive beast, but I just don't think he has the ability (relatively low vertical, average, at best, ball handling, and seemingly low confidence). This is not a criticism. It's amazing that Kawhi has turned into the scoring threat he has despite those limitations, but it illustrates that he can't carry the perimeter scoring himself (like Curry did tonight, for example. We held the rest of their starters in check, but Curry broke out backs).

So Kawhi's perimeter running mates are:

Tony Parker. Has had a resurgence, but all of us sense the wheels are about to come off soon. It's just improbable that a 34 year old PG with that many miles can average 16-18 points on good shooting.

Danny Green: Lol. No one is holding this guy back. Not LMA, adjusting to the offense, etc. He's a d-league level talent that worked very hard to get where he is, but ultimately, he's a role player who will always be limited. Essentially Bruce Bowen, who would unfortunately be a liability (his offensive limitations wouldn't make up for his defensive contributions) in today's league.

Manu. Same thing as Parker. Too old and worn to be consistent.

And the rest are role players. Mills, Simmons, Anderson, Butler, etc. All the other elite teams in the league have at least 2 perimeter studs and star/fringe star big(s). The Spurs really are a team by committee. As much as that kind of overall depth can be an advantage, it can also be a detriment since there's so many moving parts.

LMA is a very, very small of the overall picture, and I will still argue that he's contributed more than he has taken, much more. Golden State is beating the out of everyone. Was up 40 at Cleveland and then went into Chicago and beat them by 30., so to decry his signing because the Spurs have the unfortunate luck of playing in a year that just might feature the best team pro basketball has ever seen is a bit knee-jerky.

And that said, there was really no other choice than to roll the dice. Standing pat and developing a bunch of 2nd round picks and Euro projects wasn't going to win anything.

Since I've said much of it myself in recent months, suffice it to say, I agree with most of this.

I've given Aldridge a free pass for his previous no shows against elite or second tier teams, but his seeming inability to raise his intensity level against elite teams, is alarming.

He looked downright scared of Green. I know he naturally goes away from contact, both in the post and in terms of setting screens, but you'd think frustration would kick in at some point and he'd at least try to physically overwhelm that arrogant prick.

I know he turned 30 over the summer and came in out of shape, but we're 45 games in and he's not coming off of a significant injury that would sap some athleticism and at least in theory, he plays a relatively low impact style, as far as the stress he's putting on his joints. Despite all this, his athleticism/mobility have seemingly fallen off a cliff. Not that he was an explosive or freakish athlete, but he was a solid one.

[ElNono]

bump

[dabom]

bump

[apalisoc_9]

Predictable. Aldridge really is a soft pussy who needs to.be pampered. He really does play good against teams.

[apalisoc_9]

He also only plays with energy when the offense is worked around to get him touches. He is not a spur like player.

[Mnky]

LMA leading the team in scoring still the best record for the spurs.

Kawhi leading the team.. 30 pt blowout.

I've seen enough to know who the alpha is.

[daslicer]

Predictable. Aldridge really is a soft pussy who needs to.be pampered. He really does play good against teams.

The reality is the majority of the league is pretty much ty. Outside of the Spurs they are only 4 good teams Warriors,Cavs,Clippers,OKC. Lamarcus had a good game against the Clippers. I don't count his game against OKC since it was the first regular season game. In reality he's only had 2 games against 2 good teams. We'll see how this progresses as the spurs plays those 4 teams several more times this year.

[RD2191]

LMA leading the team in scoring still the best record for the spurs.

Kawhi leading the team.. 30 pt blowout.

I've seen enough to know who the alpha is.

Yeah, the Finals MVP and DPOY.

[apalisoc_9]

Kawhi is like the size of the sun and Aldridge is pluto..not even close

In the words of zach lowe "its not aldrudge fault hes playing with a super duper superstar"

[spursistan]

Watch him..pull the 6 point 2 rebs in 28 mins game vs Cleveland

[midnightpulp]

Kawhi is like the size of the sun and Aldridge is pluto..not even close

In the words of zach lowe "its not aldrudge fault hes playing with a super duper superstar"

Like it or not, LMA, Tony, et al are going to have to get touches and become scorers if this team is to have any chance in at beating the Warriors. Kawhi isn't going to able to carry a 1st option type scoring load against the Warriors while at the same time chasing around Curry, Klay, and banging with Draymond. If your boy Danny wasn't a D-league level talent who can't even make a simple adjustment (i.e. this seemingly impossible task for him to adjust to the new system), Kawhi could elevate to that role possibly.

[YGWHI]

As much as I love Kawhi, I think my fears are coming true that his peak scoring ability (while maintaining good efficiency) just might be around the 18ppg-20ppg mark. Sure, he could average 25+ on a ty team where he can volume shoot, but for his efficiency to remain solid, he's a player who needs to pick his spots carefully and score within the offense.

Or a good/great team where he gets consistently 15-16 FGA per game. Klay 16 FGA per game this season, Butler 16.3, DeRozan 17.6...Kawhi 12 FGA in January..13.1 FGA in December.

Kawhi could easily maintain his efficiency with just 3-4 touches more per game, but if you don't think scoring are related to touches...

[spursistan]

I'm seriously rooting for him..Timmy is degrading before our eyes like the 40 yo he is...if we could get one last playoff-Duncan run, LMA needs to pull his weight in remaining reg season to preserve him for it..

[midnightpulp]

Or a good/great team where he gets consistently 15-16 FGA per game. Klay 16 FGA per game this season, Butler 16.3, DeRozan 17.6...Kawhi 12 FGA in January..13.1 FGA in December.

Kawhi could easily maintain his efficiency with just 3-4 touches more per game, but if you don't think scoring are related to touches...

I'm tired of having this argument. He gets plenty of front court touches, and they're good touches, about 5 less than KD, who plays in a higher paced system. I sit there talking to my TV, telling Kawhi to drive the ing ball when the offense generates such for him and, although he occasionally does, he passes it out for a reset more often than not. You'll probably say maybe the play wasn't for Kawhi. No. Basketball plays are designed to create a variety of opportunities.

Kawhi either lacks the confidence or the skills to be a consistent attacker.

"They should placate his greatest strength then. The post!"

This isn't 2008.