AOTW: LaMarcus Aldridge

RIP Ginobili.

Back in the 2006 NBA Draft the Chicago Bulls used their 2^nd overall pick on a lanky Sophomore PF from Texas named LaMarcus Aldridge, but this was all just part of a deal setup with Portland so that Portland could get their man LaMarcus Aldridge with out having to worry about Charlotte making the move first. In exchange for LaMarcus Aldridge, Chicago received Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Krhyapa in a trade that was viewed as critical junctions for each team. Draft graders pinpointed the development of each player a couple years down the line would be a huge factor in how each teams 2006 draft would turn out.

In the following years it became clear that LaMarcus Aldridge was the better player, becoming a huge part of the of the rebuilding of the Trail Blazers after the disappointing Jail Blazer era. He became an integral member of the young Blazers roster almost instantly while Thomas struggled and was eventually traded to the Bobcats. Proving that the bold moves that the Blazers took in the 2006 draft paid off. In his 3^rd year in the league LaMarcus was putting up solid numbers but people worried that he had hit his ceiling when he still failed to develop a physical low post game . Critics of LA said that his game was inadequate and considered him soft because he relied heavily on a streaky jump shot despite what his frame and high projected ceiling suggested. Being second option in a Roy centric offensive might have played an important role in his development.

However things have been looking good for LA and since Roy was shutdown in December indefinitely, LA has made the jump from a good PF and second option, to a top tier PF that is now in the top 5 in points, blocks per game and double doubles and top 10 in rebounds and steals for his position. He's even averaging close to 30 points so far in February and has twice surpassed his career high in points against Chicago(2^nd ) and San Antonio (11^th) in OPP (Oponent Points Per Game). The most exciting part of LA's change is how big of a leap his game has taken when you compare it to earlier in the year. LA has been taking it to the hole with authority and has been using his jump shooting abilities to throw off defenders with different looks or when coming off of screens. With the way that LA has been playing he almost earned him a spot on the All-Star spot in a very crowded PF pool in the Western conference losing out to guys like Tim Duncan and Kevin Love in what Bill Simmons called "one of the biggest NBA All-Star snubs of all time."

Coming into the pre-season there was a lot of hype from Mike Barrett about a "bigger and much improved LA". However as the season progressed it seemed like he was gonna be posting another solid, but unspectacular season. However when Greg Oden went down and Brandon Roy was shut down for the season, the keys were handed to LA he had the choice of either continuing in his average play or stepping up and filling in as a team leader in the absence of Brandon Roy. LA snapped at the chance and has become the focal point of Trail Blazer offense and an integral part of their late game strategy. And even though it took unfortunate circumstances for LA to reach this point, he has finally lived up to all the hype and potential that the Trail Blazers front office saw in and has finally become the star they wanted. LA didn't make it to the All-Star Team this year, but his expanded game has been a bright spot in another season marred with injuries that was potentially bound for complete disappointment. So here's to a brighter outlook for the Trail Blazers and LA in 2012 where we will be hoping to see LA in FLA for All Star weekend.