LaMarcus Aldridge Drops By the ACC

It doesn't surprise me in the least that Aldridge didn't fare so well in strength testing, as anyone who saw him get manhandled by Glen Davis and Tyrus Thomas will attest to. Whether or not the Raptors should take him depends on what sort of team you think Colangelo is trying to build. If he's looklng at a more traditional positional-oriented team, then perhaps the Raptors would be interested if they feel he can be a true centre. On the other hand, if you're looking for more of a run and gun Phoenix style of game based on putting the best five like-minded players out on the court, then Bargnani or Thomas are probably better fits. You've probably gathered that I'm not an Aldridge fan under any circumstances.

Interesting that they're bringing back Denham Brown and Marcus Williams. Brown may not have had a great workout for the Raptors, but he apparently played very well in the Orlando camp and that to me is a better barometer of what he can do. Williams would be my choice for the Raptors in a perfect world, and I wonder if they'll match him up against Rondo. Rondo is a better defender and quicker, so Williams may not shine in a one-on-one scenario, but in all other aspects of the game he is Rondo's superior.

Don't know if this has been posted in any earlier threads, but here's an actual video look at Bargnani - the kid can shoot. Nice quick release, and seems to run the floor well. The level of competition is a question mark, but I think he's got more upside potential than Aldridge offensively. Doesn't look too bad defensively, either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LnSTJuCuI8&search=Andrea%20Bargnani

Kinda hope we get him. Kid looks exciting.

Moss

Overcrowded Frontcourt?

Assuming the Raptors draft either Bagnani, or even Aldridge, do you not think the Raptors are overstocked with personnel in the frontcourt?

Hypothetically they would have:

SF-Villanueva, Graham, Bargnani
PF- Bosh, Bonner, Humphries
C- Sow

Clearly the Raps are also likely to add another center to keep Bosh happy and help with rebounding. The sign and trade option with Mike James being parlayed into Jamal Magloire is certainly an enticing prospect. If this is achieved, the Raps become more overloaded with big men.

Even if you assume that Sow, Humphries and Bonner will be nailed to the bench, you still need to find minutes for Villanueva, Graham, Bosh, Bargnani and the new center they bring in. That is 5 quality guys for 3 positions, with 3 lower quality guys waiting behind them.

Meanwhile the backcourt is very thin with Calderon, Peterson, maybe Ukic and whoever they decide to get as their veteran point guard (Jay Williams, Darrick Martin, Andre Barrett, Speedy Claxton, Brevin Knight, Jarret Jack, etc.)

Assuming Joey Graham is unable to play shooting guard and their high second round pick wont be able to contribute much next year, shouldn't the Raps start looking to get rid of some of their muscle upfront for a 2 guard?

Like Colangelo said over a month ago, there's no one in this draft who is going to step in and be the difference maker in 06-07. The question is, who's got the most up-side to work with? No easy answer there. They all have talent , weaknesses and potential. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Rudy Gay becomes the star of this draft 2-3 years down the road. Raptor fans have to hope that BC can trade down, get a veteran at the 1 or 5 who can help right away, and stay in the top 5-7 on draft day. That's the miracle we need to be hoping for.

Sky Walker and Mossman are dead wrong, Bargnani will bust. Aldridge plays O and D very well +O boards and +Blocked shots, and has the best upside in the top 10. Bosh wants him and is working out with him. He has put on 25lbs since last year and will put on another 15-20 before the season starts, check out what his HS coach said about him, he's a perfect fit. The knocks on him are the same as Cahrlie V, and we know how that turned out.

Coach: Robert Allen
When's the first time you remember thinking LaMarcus could play professionally someday?: I remember the day very vividly. It was the very first day of practice in his freshman year. He was about 6-9 at the time. I'd seen him play in middle school, and I told my assistant coaches he'd never play at Seagoville.

He was soft. He had no sense of urgency. I told him I'd watched him at the middle school and that he'd have to play more aggressively if he wanted to make it. Well, he was not getting after it like I wanted.

I'm kind of difficult to play for and I warned him that if he didn't step up and get aggressive and physical he'd have to go out to the track and run 8.8 miles. And the whole team would watch. He kept playing soft and loafing, and I took him out there and ran him 8.8 miles.

He never got an attitude about it. I thought he'd quit and refuse to run. But he ran 'em all and did well, to my surprise. And he came back in the gym and was a monster. From that point on I never had to worry about him being soft.

What's your fondest game memory of him?: In the regional championship against Dallas Lincoln, LaMarcus had 39 points and 16 rebounds. He was 16-of-18 from the field.

He was unstoppable. And he didn't touch the ball the last 2-3 minutes of the game. It made me sick. We had some guys who made bad decisions down the stretch and didn't get him the ball.

We lost on a tip-in at the last second. But it was like he was taking on his shoulders trying to get us to state.

When's the last time you spoke with him: I spoke to him last week. He came by the school. We speak on a regular basis.

What are your predictions for his immediate basketball future?: I've been hearing maybe No. 1 overall. Whoever picks him will get a steal. He has a tremendous upside.

He's one of the hardest-working athletes I've had in my life. I've coached football, basketball and track, and he outworked everybody. He's dedicated. I had (Toronto Raptors star) Chris Bosh at Lincoln. These are the two guys, I can tell them to do something, go all the way to China, and when I get back they'll still be doing exactly what I told them to do.

It's eerie the similarities between Chris and LaMarcus. The way they talk, walk, pay attention to detail, are unselfish. They're both great young men.

Never once did I have to tell LaMarcus to take care of things academically. He's a class act with tremendous character.