Just as I expected, with Greg Oden finally being healthy, LaMarcus Aldridge has begun to struggle. The possible explanation is that Oden is also another scorer on the block meaning that Aldridge's touches are being reduced to integrate Oden into the offensive flow. During the time that Oden has been playing, Aldridge has struggled with his shot.
Let's take a look at Aldridge's statistics with Oden in the lineup and without Oden in the lineup. There's a huge difference.
With Oden in the lineup, Aldridge is averaging, after tonight's game, 10.5 points, 6.7 rebounds per game, .67 blocks per game, and shooting 38.5 percent from the field.
Without Oden in the lineup, Aldridge is averaging 21.6 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game, 1.8 blocks per game, and shooting 48.9 percent from the field.
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The Blazers are currently 3-2 without Oden in the lineup. With Oden in the lineup the Blazers are 3-3.
The Blazers are an extremely young team. In order for them to continue their success and make a run at a playoff spot they will need Aldridge to step up his game. He needs to settle himself down and start playing his game.
In the Warriors game tonight he tried doing too much in the low block. He had the size advantage on Corey Maggette, but he didn't take advantage of it. Instead, he got called for a couple offensive fouls because he was trying to go through Maggette instead of using his moves down on the block.
The Blazers are still growing and they have a ton of scoring options on the team. But will everybody be happy? So far so good for the Blazers, although the question remains: What happens if Aldridge continues to struggle from the field or picking up quick fouls?
The Blazers will make a run for the playoffs, but in the end I believe they will fall short this year. Even if the Blazers do make the playoffs they aren't going to go far. What can be said is that it will be a great year for the club because Aldridge and Oden will learn how to play together.
Once Oden and Aldridge learn to play together they could become similar to a previous power forward/center combination. They won't necessarily be at the same level of this combination, but size-wise they're similar. The duo that I'm referring to is the Houston Rockets' combination of Hakeem Olajuwon and Otis Thorpe.
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about 1 month ago
It looks to me like L.A.s biggest problem has been watching Oden and Diogu in practice and trying to emulate them. Whereas early in the season he was playing a David Robinson-like post game, using his quickness and agility to get open looks, lately he is following the Oden model of trying to overpower people.
There was one moment opening night against the Spurs where he had a move reminiscent of the DreamShake where he left all-World defender Tim Duncan looking helpless as Aldridge elevated for the clea look, which he drained.
Against Golden State and again against Chicago he went more with power moves where instead of using skill and maneuver, he simply tried to run over Maggette and Thomas. The result was two very sub-par games. I wonder how much of that is related to the health struggles of Coach Lucas who has done a great job of coaching Aldridge.
I wish Lucas the best of health, of course, and also hope Aldridge gets back to his skill post game at which point he will be fine. Power games only work for powerful guys like Oden. Aldridge simply doesn't have the bulk to play that game.
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