ESPN: Is this an UnFair Assessment? aldridge-vs-horford

[Ruhiel]

Googled this and found an ESPN article that discusses a guy in Aldridge who had his best season as a center and has never been much of a perimeter isolation player.

#s even say Horford and Aldridge are similar but this is what ESPN says,,,

They may never be one-name superstars, but LaMarcus Aldridge and Al Horford are among a small handful of the best power forwards in the league. While Horford plugs perfectly into Atlanta's scheme as a do-it-all complement to Joe Johnson, Aldridge has exceeded expectations after being thrust into the role as the Blazers' go-to star. [at center]

Despite a shining résumé Horford isn't mentioned with the game's elite and, residing in a Western Conference crowded with stars, the oft-overlooked Aldridge has been outplaying more heralded opponents all season. Aldridge has given defenses fits with his length and shooting touch while Horford plugs away with no-frills consistency.

HORFORD: VERSATILE DEFENSE
Horford is one of the most versatile defensive forward-centers in the league. Teammate Josh Smith is more likely to grab highlight love thanks to his showy blocks, but Horford's lunch-pail style relies on efficient mobility and well-timed rotations. He's deceptively strong, which makes it difficult to back him down, but Horford is possibly Atlanta's best perimeter defender as well. In a Nov. 7 game against the Phoenix Suns, he guarded Steve Nash out top on no fewer than nine second-half possessions using his wingspan and lateral movement to make it difficult for Nash to initiate Phoenix's offense, even once forcing a shot-clock violation. "He does everything on that end of the floor that you could ask someone to do," says teammate Jamal Crawford.

HORFORD: POST MOVES
Unlike Aldridge, the Hawks forward's options on the low block are fairly limited, and the moves he does have are a bit robotic. Unless he makes a quick move, Horford struggles to get his shot off against bigger defenders. He's not enough of a threat to command a double-team, which limits passing opportunities out of the post, so he's often forced to make something happen on his own in isolation situations, which the Hawks would like to avoid. Until Horford develops a reliable array of post moves, his touches on the block will be limited, leaving Atlanta with a fairly one-dimensional attack.

HORFORD: PASSING
Horford finds teammates in a variety of different situations all over the floor for scoring opportunities. But he's become quite adept at grabbing offensive rebounds 6-8 feet from the basket in the midpost and quickly flipping the ball to a cutter or spot-up shooter for a quick shot before the defense can regroup. Horford's craftiness and game understanding when delivering the ball is paying obvious dividends; he quietly leads all power forwards and centers with 3.6 apg.

HORFORD: DIRTY WORK
Horford is an extremely bright player who loves to analyze even the most mundane game scenarios and his selflessness allows the more spotlight-hungry stars to bask in the glory in the name of preserving team chemistry. But his true value is thoroughly enjoying the little things most stars would just as soon leave to someone else. Whether it's setting picks, getting his arms in passing lanes or chasing after loose balls, Horford seems to gleefully go about doing the little things that can make all the difference. "He loves diving on the floor," says former teammate Mike Bibby. "That's when he's in his element."

"Overall Horford's just really solid to me. He knows what he's in the game for and never tries to do too much. Al always brings a level of consistency in everything he does. Just a tough dude. But his best asset is his comprehension of the game and his smarts. He's a team-first guy who knows how to play the game the right way. He's the kind of guy who's never going to get a lot of pub, but he's always going to be there. He'll be an All-Star for the next 10 years; I'm sure of it."
-- Kevin Garnett, PF, Boston Celtics


"Horford is forging a rep as a tough-nosed defender but is just 115th in the league in blocks per 48 minutes."

"As skilled as Horford is, his best fit will always be as a third option who can give his team consistently strong defensive play and much-needed hustle. And that's exactly what he does. With Aldridge embracing the role of franchise player and making good on his vast potential, he leaves Horford behind on the NBA's second tier while he looks to join the elite class of players in the game."

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/aldridge-vs-horford
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[td00]

Fair comparison, but when you think of Al and his wish to become a basket facing PF, it tells you he doesn't want to do the dirty work, which contradicts Bibby. What I didn't see though is a discussion on Aldridge's defense, which probably is less than average.

Al is a very good player, but IMO, he is an all-star only because he has the 'C' next to his name on the all-star ballot. I personally think that PF is the easiest position to fill in the league. So there are a lot of PFs who are on that cusp of being an all-star.

Shaq would have been an all-star last year if healthy at 'C'. Point is, no one wants to play the slot if you have any jumpshooting skills.

[Ruhiel]

Aldridge's defense. You'd expect him to grab more defensive rebounds and blocks/ have a lower defensive rating but he is no anchor.
Offense Aldridge has no "in-between" game and just like Al you can crowd his air space at power forward.
He's basically a worse version of Rasheed Wallace. Worse defensive rebounding, worse shot blocks, and stiffer pivot play. He doesnt turn the ball over but he doesnt get post play as often as you'd expect a near 7'0 to at pf.
If he goes off the dribble it's automatic 2 points but he doesnt do anything to stop the play on the opposite end. And for a guy hoping to join "elite" PFs he doesnt seem to do much at the free throw line.

Josh Smith's career high in FTA is 468 in 35.5 minutes. 5.8 per game.
Aldridge 39.6 minutes and 5.5 per game. Aldridge also played most of his minutes at center where he had a speed advantage instead of PFs who can crowd his shooting pocket. His size is an asset I guess... But my main point is he doesn't draw contact enough and cant is stiff as far as inbetween game goes.