http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4583890 What do you think of the amount? I guess it's market for what he brings, but I have my doubts about the guy.... very talented and young. If he imroves, he's worth it... but he does have holes in his game. Specifically, for a 7 footer, he relies a bit too much on the 20 foot J.
It's more than he's worth at the moment but that's what it takes to keep players like him. At least LA is already very good and continues improving. It isn't stupid money like with Chris Kaman, Nene, Samuel Dalembert, etc. Unless he gets injured, I don't think the Blazers will have ever have the slightest regret about this contract. LA is a dedicated workout warrior who improves every year. He plays very well off Brandon Roy. If Greg Oden develops even a little bit (and in pre-season it seems that he has), LA's perimeter game is a perfect complement. He also runs the floor better than 95% of PFs in the NBA and has the potential to be an elite defender and shot-blocker. When matched against undersized players (and even some standard PFs), he has a very good post game. LA is exactly the kind of player a team should pay extra for. He's improved each season instead of being a one-year wonder, has his head on straight and will get better. At 24 years-old, he will be in the prime of his career the next 5 years. Smart move by the Blazers.
yikes! he is good, but not that good. regardless, i don't think they could afford to lose him. the guy is still young and will definitely develop his game more. they have to keep the core of Roy and Aldridge together so they can develop chemistry. still, LA better improve his rebounding if he is to justify that extension.
Who's milking what now? If anything the present economy gives leverage to the owner to underpay. If I could magically be reborn in a different NBA city, Portlands would be it. Us Rocket fans have either a lottery pick or another empty moral victory and 1st rd exit to look forward to. Why am I still excited?
The blazers are stacked. LA is not worth that much yet but I don't think we'll be saying that in a year or 2.
Wasn't that impressed last year by Aldridge, or by anyone on the Blazers not named Roy. He's a legit 2nd option, but not a consistent one. Maybe he matures into that. But he's not a superstar, and I don't see him becoming one. So you're paying $13m a year for a good player at a PF position where there are lots of good players. He's not a great passer, not a big rebound guy, doesn't get to the line a lot, not a great defender. He could develop in those areas, or he could not. At the age of 24, Mo Taylor was coming off back to back 17ppg seasons as a jump shooting PF. Just saying.
OK now they have 2 max contracts, Roy and Aldridge then Miller is owed 7 mil a pop for 3 years. Plus Grandpa Oden has yet to cash in big, so this tells me either way Portland is going to lose some players to free agency most likely Rudy, Blake, Outlaw and maybe trade Webster and Przybilla. Just the nature of the business, you can't keep every player you have. They're already around 55 mil with rookie scale for the big 3, once the extensions kick in next year thats: 2010-2011 Roy: $14 mil Aldridge: 13 mil Miller: 7 mil Zilla: 7 mil Oden: 6.7 mil Webster: 4.8 mil Bayless: 2.2 mil Rudy: 1.2 Batum: 1.2 Total: 57 mil Thats without new new deals for Oden, Blake, Outlaw, Bayelss, Rudy and Batum. Portland could lose many of these players. time for perhaps Morey to get his hands on one of these players.
They have their 2 best players locked in for the long haul. Whether you think 65 mil is too much for him, this is a smart move by Portland.
Im starting to think kevin pritchard isnt all that he has been hyped up to be as a GM. Yes he's made some smart moves, but he has an owner with limitless money. He doesnt make smart, or effecient moves. He just throws money at anybody and waits for a bite. Take this offseason for example they go after Hedo, sign Milsap to an offer sheet, then end up signing andre miller. All three are completely different players and play different positions theres no structure to his plans. I dont think the blazers will ever be that good, all their complementary players will end up leaving. Oh and durant>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>oden. HUGE ***** up by pritchard.
Agreed that this was a smart move by Portland. I'm not much of an Aldridge fan but by all accounts he is a great guy that works hard and keeps trying to get better. Definitely doesn't sound like one of those players that will get paid then stop caring. Next up for him is working to become less of a softy and more a two-way basketball player. As A_3PO said: the potential is there.
This is a good signing. LaMarcus is gonna be one of the elite powerforwards in the game once the Duncan's/KG's/Nowitzki's start retiring. He's only 24 and coming into his 4th season. He's improved his game every year and this year I expect him to bang more inside and play tougher. And to the people complaining that he shoots too many jumpers. His jumper is pretty ****ing money.
It still confuses me how a team got so lucky to acquire these 3 guys in 2 consecutive drafts. Freaking ridiculous.
Considering Juwan Howard was making $15 to $20 million in the 10 years ago economy, plus the previous names mentioned, this looks like smart money.
