There isn't a game thread up yet, but I wanted to start this discussion. Much of Portland's recent success is attributed to Lamarcus Aldridge playing very well in the absence of Brandon Roy. (Andre Miller has been playing well also, but I'm more concerned with the big guys) Typically in the past when he started going off on us we put Chuck on him to slow him down. My discussion is, do you have Scola guard him? And let him get his and try to stop everyone else? Or do you try to get Hill and Patrick up on him and attempt to stop him? Then what do you do about Camby on the boards. What do yall think? Anyone want to play Nostrodamus with coach's plans?
Aldridge seems to be one of those pf's that always burn scola (long, faceup forqards with range). On the other hand, i think it would be an ideal matchup for jefferies.
It would...but Jeffries and Ish are the every game bench warmers for the team. I say activate Jared at least, it's not like we actually play Williams so why give the guy false hope by activating him every game lol.
Hill has surprised me defensively one on one guarding opposing bigs; I think he will be fine guarding LA. When he inevitably picks up his 2 fouls I don't think any special lineup/matchup change is needed; Adelman will stick to his rotations
Ah okay. Well I guess the best strategy is to let Aldridge get his really. I'm more worried about the random perimeter player exploding for 30 points on either Martin or Budinger.
I agree. Wesley Matthews has been lighting it up lately and I wouldnt be surprised if he'll have a good game against us. Hopefully Rick puts Battier on him and Scola does a decent job against Aldridge.
I want Lee to guard Matthews. Battier can start on him, but later in the game...Lee. Someone has to "get theirs", so it might be LMA.
I think Hill would have a problem guarding LA. Hill is a good defender on the block, but bad on the perimeter. He would draw early fouls when LA took him outside the paint and put the ball on the floor or faced him up. I say we put Scola on him, let him get his, but feed Scola early on offense to force LA to play D. Maybe even put Miller and Scola in together to spread the floor and keep Camby offf the boards.
I think we have enough perimeter defenders to cover him successfully. He is dynamic, but if you stop his outside shot he's less effective.
PP still has alot to prove and is coming off of a game that has boosted his confidence, I suspect he is salivating at the challenge.
We could go small with Battier at the 4 and Lee at the 3, but I doubt it. I bet Rick sticks with the rotation from the last game, only bringing in JJ if necessary.
i dont see rick going with any gimmick defense. scola will start on him man to man. if he starts torching scola rather than just 'getting his' then i see a double team coming on the catch.
I'm cautiously optimistic at his chances against Aldridge too. Patrick can rotate out on the high post,and his size should be able to push LA out of his comfort zone. Battier will get some minutes here as well. Hill should be able to stop him near the basket on occasions.
Shane is my favorite rocket, but I think you guys are severely overestimating him. There is absolutely no way on earth he can contest anything LA throws up. He is an excellent position defender and decent on ball defender, but all that is negated if LA never has to put the ball on the floor. Turn and shoot all day (week, month, year) against Shane.
We don't have the personnel to stop his outside shot. Jeffries is the only person remotely close to being able to. Our guys with the lateral quickness to react if he puts the ball on the floor (scola, battier, PP) lack the length to challenge his shot. Guys with enough length to challenge his shot (miller, hill) would get torched off the dribble. We gotta send help and make him play defense.
Patrick Patterson can take Lamarcus Aldridge's outside shot and send it into the 20th row. Or he can catch the ball with his teeth, depends on his mood at the time.
