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DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 06/10/2011 1:50 PM

During 2011, LaMarcus Aldridge...
Exceeded Expectations (53)
95%
Met Expectations (2)
4%
Failed To Meet Expectations (1)
2%

We're going to start something new this offseason and review each player's season, how they performed, whether they met expectations or not and if you'd like to see them in uniform for the Blazers to start the 2011-12 season. Up next is our superstar power forward, LaMarcus Aldridge.

“Last year left a bad taste in my mouth,” Aldridge says. “I had to be the guy, and I didn’t do my job as good as I can.”

Aldridge, of course, was referring to the Phoenix series in 2010 when he was called upon to be "the man" with Brandon Roy sidelined for the first three games of the series. In that six game series, LA didn't play better or worse than he did in the regular season, averaging 19 points and 6 rebounds compared to his seasonal 17.2 and 7.7. But that's what he's upset about. Along with dropping that series, the second straight first-round exit at the time, LaMarcus didn't elevate his game to the next level when the team needed him most. It was Andre who rose up to the occasion in Game 1 and lead the team to victory, scoring 31 and Brandon's emotional return which sparked the team to a Game 4 W. Fans were becoming more and more concerned that Aldridge, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, would never develop a killer instinct or reach the seemingly endless potential. But on a December night in Dallas, that would all change.

In a game which saw Roy leave due to chronic knee pain, Aldridge put on a spectacular performance for the nationally televised audience, scoring 35 points, on 14-26 shooting, and grabbing 10 rebounds as he did all that he could to keep Portland in the game. Little did Rip City know at the time but that night marked the beginning of a dominant run from the 6'11" forward out of Texas. With B-Roy out for the foreseeable future, Aldridge once again got a second chance at being the go-to-guy. This time, he relished the opportunity. In January, LA skyrocketed, averaging 24.9 points, 10.4 rebounds while leading the Trail Blazers to a winning record. But it was in February where the L-Train left his mark on the league. During 12 games, the 25 year-old Aldridge went into beast mode, putting up 27.8 points (56.3% FG, 83.2% FT), 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.67 steals and 1.58 blocks as he guided the Trail Blazers to an 8-4 mark that included wins over San Antonio, Chicago, New Orleans and Denver. Along the way, LaMarcus left the Spurs and Bulls in the dust, setting and re-setting his career-high during back-to-back home outings which saw him baffle Tim Duncan and company for 40 than six days later schools the likes of Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer to the tune of 42 points. Although his efforts weren't recognized by the fans or the coaches in regards to receiving a trip to L.A. for the All-Star game, he did win the Player of the Month award for his amazing February run, becoming only the third Blazers ever to do so (Clyde Drexler, Kelvin Ransey).

LaMarcus Aldridge's Season Splits (Via Basketball-Reference.com)-

Even more remarkable is the fact that Aldridge did most of the damage alone in the paint. Oden missed the season due to knee surgery, Joel Przybilla was out for 26 games before being dealt to Charlotte and Marcus Camby wasn't able to escape the injury big, as he found himself in street clothes 23 times over the course of the 2010-11 season. Combine that with the fact his wing man Brandon Roy was in and out of the lineup, only appearing in 47 games, makes it quite an amazing feat that the Trail Blazers were able to win 48 games and secure the 6th seed in the playoffs. With the addition of Gerald Wallace at the deadline and the elite play of Aldridge, many experts pegged Portland as the team most likely to pull off a first-round upset, one writer even predicting a Trail Blazers sweep of Dallas. While the Blazers didn't pull off the upset, they pushed the series to six games, more so than Dallas was pushed the rest of the way in the West and played the best defense on the Mavericks according to Jason Terry. A lot of those accolades can be correlated to the play of LaMarcus Aldridge. Even though he played the second most minutes of any NBA player this season, in the post no less, LA still managed to have the best playoffs in his career all the while drawing the defensive assignment on Dirk Nowitzki, a player who is nearly unguardable, yet LA easily gave him the most trouble. In the six game series, Aldridge held Dirk to only 45.2% shooting from the field compared to his seasonal average of 51.7%, 57.3% mark against the Lakers the following round and 55.7% shooting percentage in the conference finals against the Thunder.

LaMarcus Aldridge's Career Playoff Stats (Via Basketball-Reference.com)-

It's safe to say that the Trail Blazers are in good hands with LA as the face of the franchise. As long as he continues to add more wrinkles to his offensive repertoire, such as more dribble drives to the basket, and play with the mentality that no one can stop him in the post, not only will be grab that elusive All-Star spot but the Trail Blazers could be playing basketball in May for the first time since 2000.

LaMarcus Aldridge's Season Highlights

LaMarcus Aldridge Photo Gallery

Let all of that information soak in for a moment Rip City. Looking back, just how great was Aldridge's season? Can he continue to perform at that level for an entire 82 games?

I am a fan of

During 2011, LaMarcus Aldridge...
Exceeded Expectations (53)
95%
Met Expectations (2)
4%
Failed To Meet Expectations (1)
2%

mbmurr1
Posts: 530

Posted 06/10/2011 4:45 PM
soon to be an all-star

I am a fan of

Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1600

Posted 06/10/2011 5:02 PM
You need a new button labled - Far exceeded expectations -

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1600

Posted 06/10/2011 5:08 PM
Aldridge vs. Golden State .... ✔

Aldridge vs. Minnesota .... ✔

Aldridge vs. Dallas .... ✔

Aldridge vs. San Antonio .... ✔

Aldridge vs. Phoenix .... ✔

Aldridge vs. Miami .... ✔

etc.

etc.

etc.

etc.

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

TayC
Posts: 1804

Posted 06/10/2011 8:51 PM
i feel as like, if aldridge was really playing as good as alot of us hoped he was this past season, then he would of done better in the playoffs.
Was is the rest of the team costing the blazers games ?

Aldridge was without a doubt, a beast last year that is no question, but the fact of the matter is his impact on this team was "the team" during this year, but in the playoffs it was not enough. personally i think he went M.I.A and there was no Heat about it.

I am a fan of The Blazers ♂, the £-Train, and of course, The ¤ King. ™

Lapinnoir
Posts: 43

Posted 06/13/2011 2:06 PM

Actually I think Lamarcus was losing steam coming into the playoffs. Some blame gerald wallace's arrival or B-Roy's return to his complacency. Some blame his minutes or lack of a healthy center. Some blame his dependency on alley-oops. I think the sample size was too small to know so i'm not a fan of giving him heat for not being as dominant as he could have. Also chandler was getting very good towards the end of the series at protecting the post from LA so don't count that out.

I hope LA goes into the summer thinking "okay last year was good, I established my style of game. Now how can I tweak it to take better advantage of my teammates strengths and what can I add to my offense to take advantage of what my opponents are expecting me to do?"

I am a fan of a team who values integrity and shows great heart.

bigpappapumpxxx69
Posts: 16

Posted 06/14/2011 1:41 PM
Portland should make it an off-season priority to get LA help by adding a quality 4 to come off the bench and relieve the pressure. Sure he had a great season but you see what happens when you play too many minutes?? He fizzled out, its not his fault, he played his heart out, since no one else can score on this team he plays too many minutes. I said over a month ago M. Ellis would be a great addition to the team, you all laughed at me(well what now???). Portland should do what ever it takes to land D. Williams from Jersey (Miller, Canby, Batum, Oden, picks or whatever). We need more scoring, a faster pace, and some fresh legs. LOOSE BRANDON ROY!!!!!!

I am a fan of Paul Allens ability to keep a GM!

ClydeFrog
Posts: 975

Posted 06/14/2011 2:07 PM
Considering I wanted to deal LA for Bosh last year, I was pretty down on the big fella. I felt he wasn't aggressive enough and didn't have the killer instinct. But, he proved me wrong and I just hope we can get him some help so he doesn't wear down in the playoffs. To me, he's easily the 2nd best PF behind Dirk and a player who we can build our team around.

I am a fan of Watching Elliot Williams Take Flight!

Brandon Weinant
Posts: 103

Posted 06/15/2011 4:06 AM
i am very happy for LA, for being able to realize what i believe everyone who knows a little bit about basketball saw in him. however i dont think he exceeded expetations. the stats he put up... while they were good... they were expected. he was more than capable of averaging more than 17pgg... he just had to.. dare i say mature?

i have even higher expetations of him for next year. but i also have very high expetations that the blazers orginization will get him a blow every now and then... to be able to keep him to 35-38mpg.
if that doesnt happen. i do see another first round exit for the blazers next year.

I am a fan of defence.

Crim
Posts: 398

Posted 06/15/2011 10:57 AM
I'm confident they will address the need for a solid backup for lamarcus, their number one goal next year has to be to keep him fresh for the playoffs, second most minutes in the league for a guy who plays hard on both ends, on a team with a rash of injuries multiple years in a row, is asking for trouble.

I am a fan of Not Feeding the Trolls.

monica
Posts: 12

Posted 06/16/2011 8:29 PM
umm no dont lose brandon roy? just because roy isnt playin so good doesnt mean we have to turn our backs on him? hes still apart of this team!!

I am a fan of blazers being the 2012 champs!! BLAZER FAN 4 LIFE<3

stacksfan2005
Posts: 302

Posted 06/17/2011 2:14 PM
id say he met expectations, but he exceeded what i though he'd be

Herr
Posts: 643

Posted 06/18/2011 1:28 PM
Exceeded expectations, but as TayC said, he kind of went MIA in the playoffs. He looked gas. Don't blame him. But Nate needs to find him more rest.

I am a fan of

Employee#17
Posts: 89

Posted 06/18/2011 2:00 PM
After the playoffs last year against the Suns, I had him pegged as did many others as LaMartha Aldridge, for not being aggresive. But, this year he was a beast. An Allstar whether David Stern wants to admit it or not. Yes, he did relax a bit after Wallace arrived, but I don't fault Wallace for that. Aldridge was tired and understandably so. He put the Blazers on his back and took us to the playoffs. Still he exceeded my expectations. And, next year he is going to be that much more hungry. LaBeast has become a force to be reckoned with. You wouldn't like him when he's angry!

I am a fan of The Will to Win

monica
Posts: 12

Posted 10/19/2011 7:49 PM
cant wait to see them play again =)

I am a fan of blazers being the 2012 champs!! BLAZER FAN 4 LIFE<3

Blazer247
Posts: 503

Posted 10/20/2011 2:10 PM
It makes me sad to scroll through the first post, and click on the video because i realllllly want to see some Aldridge highlights, only to realize there are no videos of the players on here during the lockout. David Stern, i want my Blazers back!

I am a fan of BLAZER BASKETBALL. Not drafts, not business, not trades, not David Stern. Just BLAZER BASKETBALL.

Blazer247
Posts: 503

Posted 10/20/2011 2:10 PM
It makes me sad to scroll through the first post, and click on the video because i realllllly want to see some Aldridge highlights, only to realize there are no videos of the players on here during the lockout. David Stern, i want my Blazers back!

I am a fan of BLAZER BASKETBALL. Not drafts, not business, not trades, not David Stern. Just BLAZER BASKETBALL.

Kassandra
Posts: 448

Posted 10/20/2011 8:26 PM
@Brandon: so true about keeping his minutes down. whenever basketball resumes play, the team needs to acquire a backup for LaMarcus whom Nate will trust to keep in the game for extended periods of the game. i don't think just having a body will do. It's a matter of finding a player Nate will trust. he seems to have some trouble in that area.

~ KMM

I am a fan of my team fighting to win each and every game.

stacksfan2005
Posts: 302

Posted 10/21/2011 8:01 AM

Posted By Kassandra on 10/20/2011 8:26 PM
@Brandon: so true about keeping his minutes down. whenever basketball resumes play, the team needs to acquire a backup for LaMarcus whom Nate will trust to keep in the game for extended periods of the game. i don't think just having a body will do. It's a matter of finding a player Nate will trust. he seems to have some trouble in that area.

~ KMM

Pendergraph for president

monica
Posts: 12

Posted 10/21/2011 7:58 PM
i agree with you! i always go on youtube and watch the highlighs from the game 4 vs. dallas!!! its a great video and i still get the chills when i watch it =) i cant wait to get my blazers back =) BLAZER FAN 4 LIFE<3

I am a fan of blazers being the 2012 champs!! BLAZER FAN 4 LIFE<3

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