2016 LaMarcus Aldridge vs. 2010 Pau Gasol

[Jim Naismith]

2016 LaMarcus Aldridge vs. 2010 Pau Gasol

Who is better?

Vote above.

[BullBearBidness]

Inclined to say Pau, who might have been a lesser volume scorer, but a more impactful offensive player overall. Also, 2010 Pau owns LMA on defense.

[Quotatious]

Inclined to say Pau, who might have been a lesser volume scorer, but a more impactful offensive player overall. Also, 2010 Pau owns LMA on defense.

I would also take Pau (it's close, though), but I definitely wouldn't say he "owns" LMA on defense. I think Gasol was the better defender, but not by much (LMA's low steals and blocks totals are misleading, because he's a fundamentally sound defender who makes proper reads most of the time, and guards opposing bigs pretty well in the post, he's definitely a positive impact defender, has been for quite a few years).

[E-Balla]

Inclined to say Pau, who might have been a lesser volume scorer, but a more impactful offensive player overall. Also, 2010 Pau owns LMA on defense.

I would also take Pau (it's close, though), but I definitely wouldn't say he "owns" LMA on defense. I think Gasol was the better defender, but not by much (LMA's low steals and blocks totals are misleading, because he's a fundamentally sound defender who makes proper reads most of the time, and guards opposing bigs pretty well in the post, he's definitely a positive impact defender, has been for quite a few years).

If anything I'd say Lamarcus is the better defender. Pau was good but I never thought he was impressive though he did have his moments.

I'll take a raincheck for this thread right now. Pau missed 9 more games than LMA in the regular season and while Pau's postseason was great LMA has also been great in his 5 games. Without seeing how LMA plays going forward I can't decide. If LMA plays like this the rest of the way and they win the ring I couldn't pick Pau over him. Also looking at them both as first options at other points in their careers they're about even with LMA getting the slight edge so while I'd say 2010 Pau wins for now LMA dominating OKC will probably be enough to tip the scales slightly in his favor so I cant vote for either with that in mind. Tough thread OP.

[mischievous]

Pau pretty clearly imo. Playing in the Spurs system along with a reduced role is why Aldrige has been able to put up a 56.5 ts%, and even then it doesn't quite stack up to Pau's scoring. Then you factor in that Pau is better on the boards and better playmaker.

[SideshowBob]

@Jim Naismith, on nearly all of your comparison threads I'm inclined to say "they're even" but you never have that option.

[Jim Naismith]

@Jim Naismith, on nearly all of your comparison threads I'm inclined to say "they're even" but you never have that option.

Me too.

But I also like "gun-to-my-head" comparisons.