Raptors still interested in Aldridge?

[Jerm]

Aldridge ended up being ranked 28th out of 33 power forwards in the draft in terms of atheleticism and that is flat out horrible. This shouldn't be an issue if the Raptors want to play him centre but then again, we want to play a running game which he isn't suited for. He's a poor athelete and is a higher risk because he has no post moves to speak of either.

[Chamberlain]

Where did you see that ranking?

[houselog442]

I wouldnt take too much into the athletic test. Aldridge scored low mainly because the test is biased toward gaurds and wing players. All the PF's that were in the compitition were smaller than aldridge. (most of the them were 6'8-6'9 whereas Aldridge is 6'11 1/4) The other part of the test that hurt him was bench reps test, only completeing it 8 times. This is normal for someone who is tall, lengthy, and only a second year college player. Look at the other guys who did well with the bench reps were 4-5th year seniors whoe were 6'9 like sheldon williams who did 26 reps its not going to make Aldridge look bad. I bet though he would have ranked much higher if he was put in with the Centers instead of the power forwards.

[the truth]

Here's the results of the athletic testing:

http://nbadraft.net/2006campmeasurements002.asp#

[power works]

The athletic tests are just one part of the evaluation process, and is not the main factor in drafting a player. From what I read, teams who don’t track a player’s progress during the season tend to put more emphasis on these tests.

There’s even some debate as to what proportion of those tests are actually transferable on the basketball court. There’s a lot more at play when a player rebounds, or slashes to a basket. There’s no measure for the instincts great players usually have.

It’s kinda like looking at a performance car and judging it strictly by the horsepower numbers. It doesn’t tell you exactly how the car brakes, how the steering feels, how the car rotates on its centre of gravity, or how it's mass is distributed.

In the 2003 draft, you’d think the best athlete would be either Wade or LBJ, but it was Troy Bell ---- a guy who only lasted a year in the NBA.

Chris Bosh finished 51st. TJ Ford scored lower in some footspeed tests than Chris Kaman.

Chris Paul was labelled as being slower than Sean May or Wayne Simien.

I guess for teams looking at a player, it would be ideal if his scores were high, but for me it all comes down the answer to the question ---- can he play?

[Bosh4life]

So in other words these tests mean **** all?

[Dr.Funk]

Originally Posted by Bosh4life

So in other words these tests mean **** all?

Correct.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Dr.Funk

Correct.

Incorrect.

They dont mean a whole lot but they certainly aren’t meaningless. They at least give an indication (just an indication) of a players potential to be a good shot blocker/rebounder or a finisher at the hoop. Referring of course to the vertical leap tests.

[Dr.Funk]

Originally Posted by the truth

Incorrect.

They dont mean a whole lot but they certainly aren’t meaningless. They at least give an indication (just an indication) of a players potential to be a good shot blocker/rebounder or a finisher at the hoop. Referring of course to the vertical leap tests.

You don't need to be a good athlete to be a good rebounder and shot blocker. It's all about reading the other player and timing and boxing out and controling your man.

[Zalendar]

Originally Posted by Dr.Funk

You don't need to be a good athlete to be a good rebounder and shot blocker. It's all about reading the other player and timing and boxing out and controling your man.

That is true, but if you're good at reading the other player and timing etc etc.. then being a good athlete would also be an additional advantage.

How fast you can run, how quick you are, how high you can jump, doesn't mean you're a great basketball player. But it certainly can enhance your basketball talents.

But, there is a lot more to basketball than just being a good athlete.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Dr.Funk

You don't need to be a good athlete to be a good rebounder and shot blocker. It's all about reading the other player and timing and boxing out and controling your man.

I thought I made it abundantly clear that the athletic tests aren’t the be all and end all. I guess not.

Instincts without ability is useless. Ability without instincts is useless. But to totally discount the value of a high vertical leap on shotblocking, rebounding, and finishing just because it doesn’t say anything about instinct is shortsighted if not idiotic. Obviously b-ball IQ is necessary for a player to succeed at the aforementioned skills, but you’re making it seem like athleticism is inconsequential.

Seriously Funk, what do you have against information? The more the better. You just have to know how to interpret and weight the information.