Patterson was playing well and there was not much reason to change up a lineup that was working. Yes, LMA was getting his, but Rockets were still putting up more points because nobody else on the Blazers was stepping up. Also, I think LMA would abuse DMo in the post. Don't think he's ready for the physicality required to guard one of the league's premiere bigs.
Interesting, so if the opportunity to acquire LMA arises, do you think the Rockets should pass on it?
Depends on what they have to give up. He's definitely worth pursuing IMO. There doesn't seem to be a consensus on whether the Blazers will be "buyers" or "sellers" this season. IMO, it will be very difficult for them to trade LA unless they fall off a cliff the next the next 2 weeks. Trading him would shatter the remaining shred of cred the broken Blazers org still has.
LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the top 20 players in the league for a reason. He definitely plays defense and he has a really good jumpshot. Pairing him with Harden would vault the Rockets into contenders.
If push came to shove, I'd give up any player outside of Harden for Aldridge. But I would do whatever it took to keep Asik and Parsons out of it.
I like LaMarcus. But he has two flaws for a big man. 1) He is still a jump shooting big man. I will live with a jump shooting big man over someone who wreaks havoc close to the basket. Also, if you get physical with him you can throw him off. 2) Normally a very good free throw shooter, he has a habit of choking at free throws with the game on the line. I should also add that he doesn't have the IT factor. The IT being the will to dominate and take over the game when it is on the line. He can be very passive at times.
My friend the diehard tells me Blazers fans say there is a reason he's #12: It's means 1/2 at the FT line when it really matters.
Funny thing I've noticed in his game... If it's a well-guarded turn-around jump shot, he almost never misses. But when it's an unguarded straight-up jump shot, there's a higher chance he misses.
If the Rockets could get Aldridge, I'd imagine that the rockets would trade anybody and everybody not named Harden. They'd give up: asik, Lin, Parsons, picks, and anybody else the blazers would want to make a deal happen. In other words, they'd gut their team.
He is unguardable in the sense he shoots over everyone (super long arms, super high release point). He beats himself though. He takes too many 20 footers (the Tmac special), which is one of the most if not the most inefficient shot. (Take a few feet back, and get your extra point). I think he'd be better served to play more in the post. As tall/strong as he is, he should be shooting a lot better than 42%, but he settles for jumpers way too much.
