Portland @ MN (official Al>>>LMA thread)

[RMoreau35]

I like the comments about how overrated Lamarcus Aldridge is... seriously get a hold of yourselves. This is his second season, FIRST as a starter and hes averaging 17 and 7... thats pretty good in my book. Not to mention when Oden comes back next year his numbers are only going to get better (more Oden and Roy double teams, more focusing on Oden boxouts). I think hes definitely comparable to Chris Bosh, both have a good inside presence and can make the outside jumper and look at their stats: Chris Bosh who in his second year had much more experience then Aldridge averaged 16.8 points and 8.9 rebound compared to Lamarcus who this year is averaging 17.4 points and 7.3 rebounds. Just quit it about how Lamarcus is overrated and how he wont be that great... I think hes rated spot on and will be a future all star.

[revprodeji]

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So you're saying that you would rather be in the Wolves' position?

The owner/GM of the blazers are better, but we got the better building block in Al. So yea, I would rather be in the wolves situation. Money (owner) does not mean he will use it right (ny) and you can have all the depth and b-prospects you can buy, but you still lack that 1 low post offensive guy to build around. COnsidering Al's skill set, desire to improve and his contract I like him better to build around.

[Worm Guts]

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The owner/GM of the blazers are better, but we got the better building block in Al. So yea, I would rather be in the wolves situation. Money (owner) does not mean he will use it right (ny) and you can have all the depth and b-prospects you can buy, but you still lack that 1 low post offensive guy to build around. COnsidering Al's skill set, desire to improve and his contract I like him better to build around.

I'd rather build around Oden.

[theGreatRC]

So you would take a player who hasn't even set foot on an NBA floor over 21/11?

Or you would take Oden only with the players he is surrounded with in Portland?

[Worm Guts]

I would take Oden over Jefferson straight up, just because his ceiling is so much higher.

[casey]

I'd take Oden too, easily. And let's not forget about Roy and Aldridge. Roy is already an all-star in his second year and Aldridge is way better than whoever you would call the second best player for us. Honestly rev, I think you've gone loco.

[deeney0]

I would have taken Oden pre-surgery. Now I'm not convinced. It's one thing for guards and even a sub-250 Amare to come back successfully from microfracture, it's quite another for someone pushing 300. His knees are going to take a beating every single night.

[revprodeji]

I would not take Oden pre-surgery. Not counting the injury (which as deeney said should be considered) Oden is a good player, but an unknown. We do not know how he is going to translate to the NBA.(like how nobody thought Durant's rebounding of FG% would not translate) If he will be an offensive player or defense only. Al gives you an improving 20/10 right now. I still take Al Jefferson to build around.

[casey]

I would not take Oden pre-surgery. Not counting the injury (which as deeney said should be considered) Oden is a good player, but an unknown. We do not know how he is going to translate to the NBA.(like how nobody thought Durant's rebounding of FG% would not translate) If he will be an offensive player or defense only. Al gives you an improving 20/10 right now. I still take Al Jefferson to build around.

No, he's not. Al Jefferson is a "good" player. Greg Oden is potentially one of the most dominating players ever.

[theGreatRC]

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No, he's not. Al Jefferson is a "good" player. Greg Oden is potentially one of the most dominating players ever.

I don't know if it's sarcasm or delusion i'm seeing from this post.

[casey]

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I don't know if it's sarcasm or delusion i'm seeing from this post.

It's called reality.

[deeney0]

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Greg Oden is potentially one of the most dominating players ever.

You're not the least bit worried about his knee? I don't think it can be understated- no athlete of his size has EVER come back successfully from this kind of knee surgery. Yes, the surgery has improved dramatically over the past 5 years or so, but his coming back to form is not the certainty some people seem to be taking it as. Has anybody who plays as physically as Oden ever come back from it? It ruined Jamal Mashburn. It ruined Brian Grant.

[casey]

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You're not the least bit worried about his knee? I don't think it can be understated- no athlete of his size has EVER come back successfully from this kind of knee surgery. Yes, the surgery has improved dramatically over the past 5 years or so, but his coming back to form is not the certainty some people seem to be taking it as.

Oh I'm definitely concerned about it. If you want to compare people who have had the problem to Oden, the closest comparison is probably Amare, who has come back fine. Not that that means Oden will.

[theGreatRC]

Deeny, how dare you question Greg Oden's ability to make a come back. Casey has got me convinced that Greg Oden is not only going to be the most dominating forces this world has ever seen, but I heard on the news today he is going to part the sea and write 10 new more commandments. If he can do all of that then most certainly he can make a comeback to the NBA; where he can average 0/0/0/0/0/0 on 0% shooting is and still be greater than a 21/11/1/1/1 PF/C on 50% shooting player.

[casey]

Deeny, how dare you question Greg Oden's ability to make a come back. Casey has got me convinced that Greg Oden is not only going to be the most dominating forces this world has ever seen, but I heard on the news today he is going to part the sea and write 10 new more commandments.

Funny, I coulda sworn I said he has the potential to be one of the most dominating players, not that it was a certainty.

If he can do all of that then most certainly he can make a comeback to the NBA; where he can average 0/0/0/0/0/0 on 0% shooting is and still be greater than a 21/11/1/1/1 PF/C on 50% shooting player.

Ya know, at one point Jefferson was averaging 0/0/0/0/0/0 on 0% shooting too. It happens to the best of em.

[JeffJordan]

So you would take a player who hasn't even set foot on an NBA floor over 21/11?

Or you would take Oden only with the players he is surrounded with in Portland?

Zach Randolph averaged 24 and 11 last season.

Seriously though... Oden is a once in a decade type of center. I would take a gamble on him rather than Al Jefferson and I think so would every single GM in the league. Even Mchale would without hesitation.

[theGreatRC]

Seriously, nobody is a proven player based on potential. I doubt Mchale would straight up trade Al for Oden right now, and the word potential has to be one of the most overrated excuses you can give a player.

Potential is just what people expect you to be, it's not what you are 100% going to become.


BTW JeffJordan, Al has already grabbed more total rebounds than Zach(766 to 688), has gotten 5x as many blocks than him(91 to 15), has more steals than him(66-53), and Al is shooting 50% compared to Zach's 46% in his 20/10 season as a Blazer and Al still has about ~15 more games to go. Al is not Zach Randolph, so please stop comparing them, because Al is already the superior of the two, and Al is 4 years younger than him. The only thing the same is Zach averaged 20/10 for a season, but so has Dwight Howard, so what's your point?

[shrink]

Seriously though... Oden is a once in a decade type of center. I would take a gamble on him rather than Al Jefferson and I think so would every single GM in the league. Even Mchale would without hesitation.

... and if Jeff Jordan says it, its reality, just like Casey. Just ask them. I think casey parted the sea too, but Jeff Jordan is the omniscient mindreader and fortune teller.

[deeney0]

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Oh I'm definitely concerned about it. If you want to compare people who have had the problem to Oden, the closest comparison is probably Amare, who has come back fine. Not that that means Oden will.

I don't think Amare's a good comparison - Oden is going to be banging inside, not dunking off fast breaks and hitting 16 footers off the drive and dish. There really is no good comparison - it's just a wait and see situation.

[JeffJordan]

Seriously, nobody is a proven player based on potential. I doubt Mchale would straight up trade Al for Oden right now, and the word potential has to be one of the most overrated excuses you can give a player.

Potential is just what people expect you to be, it's not what you are 100% going to become.


BTW JeffJordan, Al has already grabbed more total rebounds than Zach(766 to 688), has gotten 5x as many blocks than him(91 to 15), has more steals than him(66-53), and Al is shooting 50% compared to Zach's 46% in his 20/10 season as a Blazer and Al still has about ~15 more games to go. Al is not Zach Randolph, so please stop comparing them, because Al is already the superior of the two, and Al is 4 years younger than him. The only thing the same is Zach averaged 20/10 for a season, but so has Dwight Howard, so what's your point?

I would take Al over Zach in a heartbeat but Zach did average 24/11 last season. Just saying that posting great numbers on a bad team is a huge knock against Al and that is why he wasn't seriously considered for the All-Star team. I also like the TWolves and am interested in their future but knocking Oden is just so off base. As well as how many knock LaMarcus in here. The big difference between Zach and Al is their defense. Zach plays none but both players play very well in the paint and work hard.