Is LaMarcus Aldridge a top 10 player?

[ArbitraryWater]

First off, let me say, the level of the NBA's top players drops off pretty signficantly after the top 5 of Steph/Bron/Kawhi/KD/Russ...

I think LMA has flown a bit under the radar, with limited/less shots compared to his Portland days, and struggling a bit early on. When needed (and its needed right now, Spurs are led by the combo of Leonard/Aldridge, no doubt), he can absolutely deliver in the playoffs.

Since the new year, 2016 (43 games, including New Year's Eve):

20 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.3 TO's on 14.6 shots, 54.1% FG / 88.4% FT.

The Spurs 'system' (since 2012 or so, Duncan/Parker usually got all the shots they needed prior to this date, Ginobili only not since he came off the bench) deliberately cuts a players total production in moments they aren't as necessary. Leonard has like 5 30+ point games, yet anytime he wants one he gets it. Thus, LMA just cruised through the first round in what was a non-competitive sweep with 15 ppg on 12 fga.

Now Aldridge kicked off the WCSF against the 55-win Thunder with a massive 38 points on 23 shots (18/23) 78% performance.

He's definitely more of a playoff type ready performer than someone like Lowry (top 20 player).

Aldridge really has a complete scoring game at this point. There are a few guys such as George/Harden/Paul/Green who are obvious candidates for the top 10, but I'd think you could stick LMA at the bottom of that list, probably below Davis. George disappeared for a LONG stretch after his November/December start, which he seems to do anually, but then come back with a good playoff campaign (great one for the first time, this year).

Okay, so I'd guess I'd put him at #11. Sure fire top 15 player, with a case for top bottom end top 10.

[k0kakw0rld]

KD Russ top 5? :oldlol:

[Boogey]

100% not

Lebron
Curry
Leonard
KD
cp3
cousins
Green/Davis
westdunk
Harden

PG
LA*
Lillard

Nah, but he's close enough

[keep-itreal]

100% not

Lebron
Curry
Leonard
KD
cp3
cousins
Green/Davis
westdunk
Harden

PG
LA*
Lillard

Nah, but he's close enough

http://38.media.tumblr.com/e962554efa65f49acd248a6cd5db1dd2/tumblr_inline_ngy9xeEYIf1sj0dks.gif

[ImKobe]

top 5 player in the POs

Spurs are crazy efficient right now, Aldridge has been better than Curry/KD/Westbrook/CP3 in the POs.

[ArbitraryWater]

great, we've established he isn't, could we focus on his development, role on the Spurs, and the importance of their one/two combo?

If it helps, take it as top 15.... don't just give weak lists.

because like just said above, he's a top 5 performer in the playoffs.

Where I'd take Dirk in the regular season, LMA has the legs/energy for the playoffs (even though Dirk still played amazingly well).

[Boogey]

Parker is the spark for Aldridge, esentially, he is getting him open looks.

[Smoke117]

:biggums: hell no.

[sundizz]

He is the perfect playoff player. Points are harder to come by and to have a guy that can get his own within the team concept makes him one of the best offensive players in the playoffs.

Opposite of ball dominant guards. It is why a dominant scoring big is such a valuable weapon. Defenses change because of the area he is able to dominate from. There is a reason this is the best Spurs team ever and it's not just Kawhi.

[Gileraracer]

100% not

Lebron
Curry
Leonard
KD
cp3
cousins
Green/Davis
westdunk
Harden

PG
LA*
Lillard

Nah, but he's close enough

Has Cousins ever won 30 games in one season?

[Boogey]

Numbers don't mean sh*t. LA is easier to guard

[ArbitraryWater]

:biggums: hell no.

...


hell yeah









































http://www.thecoli.com/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/5I5s8.png

[miggyme1]

lol names his top five but forgets to put paul George in there who is a top 5 player. smh

westbrook is good but he still makes boneheaded mistakes down the stretch. I got westbrook at 6....paul George is the most complete player in the league...I cant find a weakness in his game...he can shoot,pass,defend,rebound....how do you take him out of a game????


he literally just made a first round sweep a 7 game series by himself....true it was against the raptors but still.....so no paul George is a top 5 player.

[Milbuck]

Harden

Pass the needle bro

[Steven Kerry]

top 5 player in the POs

Spurs are crazy efficient right now, Aldridge has been better than Curry/KD/Westbrook/CP3 in the POs.
The guy who played 38 minutes total because of injury?

http://0.media.collegehumor.cvcdn.com/32/75/6eb25e48da1727d86c6f81bf2f5be0d5.jpg

[Steven Kerry]

Has Cousins ever won 30 games in one season?
Yeah, 33 this season. What an unstoppable beast! :rockon:

[ArbitraryWater]

W/ 41 points, LaMarcus Aldridge joined George Gervin as only Spurs to score at least 38 pts in consec. Playoff games

..

[Duggrr]

Over 2 games;

79 Points on 33/44 FG (75%)

[Young X]

There's no "significant dropoff" from guys like Westbrook or Leonard to Paul based on this season.

[riseagainst]

let's not forget that OKC has no answer for Aldridge, so Pop obviously made Aldridge the focal point of their offense this series so he can abuse the hell outta them.

[ArbitraryWater]

There's no "significant dropoff" from guys like Westbrook or Leonard to Paul based on this season.

Paul has been noticeably worse this year than last.

[Young X]

Paul has been noticeably worse this year than last.No he hasn't. He's been just as good as he was last season and is still one of the best in the league. He didn't get any attention from the media so it's understandable why some people think he's declined. You really have to have watched him throughout the season.

Anyway, Aldridge is a borderline top 10 player but I'm not the type to overreact to a couple of games. History tells me he hasn't been a good postseason performer. His last 2 games have been amazing but let's see how it all plays out.

[Bankaii]

There is no major drop off after the top 5.
CP3 and PG13 can both be argued over Westbrook.

But Aldridge is borderline, if we're assuming everyone is healthy.
I'd still put AD and Griffin over him.

[Mawly-G]

Paul has been noticeably worse this year than last.
CP3 lead the Clippers to 53 wins with Blake Griffin missing a huge chunk of the season. A lot of folks had him in the MVP conversation as well.

He most certainly was NOT noticeably worse than last year.

[Underrated KD]

He is certainly playing like a top 10 player atm. Heck, he is even playing like a top 5 player vs OKC. Dude is on fire all the damn time. :biggums:

[greymatter]

First off, let me say, the level of the NBA's top players drops off pretty signficantly after the top 5 of Steph/Bron/Kawhi/KD/Russ...



Disregarding age, I'd take Chris Paul over Kawhi and Westbrook to build a team around every day of the week.



etc etc


Paul George, AD, Harden should round out the top 9. Jimmy Butler, Lillard, and Kyle Lowry are more impactful for their teams. Aldridge is on the level of a Blake Griffin or Klay Thompson type of 2nd fiddle. The Spurs would be 2nd round fodder if Aldridge were their best player.

So no. Definitely not a top 10 player.

[ArbitraryWater]

Disregarding age, I'd take Chris Paul over Kawhi and Westbrook to build a team around every day of the week.



Paul George, AD, Harden should round out the top 9. Jimmy Butler, Lillard, and Kyle Lowry are more impactful for their teams. Aldridge is on the level of a Blake Griffin or Klay Thompson type of 2nd fiddle. The Spurs would be 2nd round fodder if Aldridge were their best player.

So no. Definitely not a top 10 player.

currently? :facepalm

"Blake Griffin type of 2nd fiddle" nikka who are you, that Bucks fan?

Griff is better than everyone you mentioned :oldlol: