Am I the only one?
by Isaac Ropp
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posted Mar 7 2012 12:11PM
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Look, I realize LaMarcus Aldridge is way down the list of Blazer players who deserve criticism for this mess but...
Am I the only one who sees him as a Robin and not Batman? I believe this fact is being exposed now more than ever. As I write this, the teams lone All-Star has gotten to the free throw line exactly 0 times in 3 games. Further, he only has 32 free throw attempts in his last 10 full games played. I'm well aware he's being doubled because no one can knock down kickouts consistently. I'm also aware the guy needs a better facilitator in the worst way. However, he's the one who said he wouldn't have been happy being the third option if Brandon Roy and Greg Oden remained healthy. He went as far as to say he would be playing elsewhere. Well, he got his wish. They're gone and he's the guy. Yes, his stats are strong (he's getting his and being paid handsomely for it) but the team isn't good and sits in 10th place in the West. When I think of true All-Stars in the NBA I think of guys who can single-handidly change such a fate. This should be HIS team. Aldridge needs to rise up and set the tone that only he's capable of with this group. He needs to fight through double teams. He needs to get to the free throw line and god forbid get in someone's face and let them know this level of effort is unacceptable regardless of how "wronged" guys are feeling about their situation.
The Trail Blazers are sinking and despite putting up good stats, LaMarcus Aldridge is sinking with them. What does this say about him as a player? LaMarcus has done a great job developing his body, shedding the soft label and growing his game. My guess is the motivation for that was a max contract paycheck. Well, he got it. Now what? The next step in his evolution, to me, is transforming from a Robin to a Batman. Some think this can't be learned. Some think you either are or you aren't. I'm not so sure. He's only 26. He has so many more incredible years ahead of him. The key question is what is he going to do with them? He can cruise along averaging 20 & 8 or he can take the next step toward becoming an irreplaceable NBA superstar. What's it gonna be?
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