I remember reading at McD game Aldrich's wingspan was measured 7'3,5". I guess he grew 1-1,5" since. He's fine and his reach somewhere in the vicinity of Duncan. He actually does another thing like Tim, never brings his hands down when in rebounding position or after the rebound. He tries to finish instantly what opportunities he has.
According to Draftexpress Aldrich's best case scenario is rich man's Joel Pryzbilla and worst case Chris Wilcox.
Let me put it this way, if Aldrich actually turns just as good as Pryzbilla I am all over that pick like a rash.
I recall Flip Saunders saying last year that if Aldrich stayed in the draft he would pick him with the 5th pick which Washington later traded to Minny.
If Aldrich is anywhere near as good as Pryzbilla (in terms of potential) I would take him with out pick if he is still available (assuming of course that we do NOT land a top 3 pck).
We need a big body who will rebound, block shots and score "garbage" points.
Let me put it this way, if Aldrich actually turns just as good as Pryzbilla I am all over that pick like a rash.
I recall Flip Saunders saying last year that if Aldrich stayed in the draft he would pick him with the 5th pick which Washington later traded to Minny.
If Aldrich is anywhere near as good as Pryzbilla (in terms of potential) I would take him with out pick if he is still available (assuming of course that we do NOT land a top 3 pck).
We need a big body who will rebound, block shots and score "garbage" points.
With most bigs its a crap shoot. Most are inconsistant. They give you a 25 and 12 one game and a 7 and 6 the next. They'll have one foul in one game and foul out the next game. When you see one that puts up consistant numbers game after game then you probably have as close to a sure thing as your going to get.
The other problem you have in college is the inconsistant play of the guards. Their inability to get the ball to the big man inside. Aldrich doesn't have that problem. Kansas has good guard play, so any inconsistancy belongs to him. Same could be said for Cousins. So you can make fair judgements on them for the most part. The same can't be said for Alabi or Udoh, or Varanado. All three play on teams with guards that think their only job is to shoot three pointers.
Then you get a guy like Parakhouski who plays for Radford and puts up 25 and 12 every game. But he plays in a lesser conference against less talented competition. You can't fault his results, but you have to wonder how it translates to tougher competition. Thats why when you get a guy like Blake Griffin who put up 25 and 15 every game against the best competition in college, you know you have a special player. None of those around this year. But there will be a few that will turn out to be special. The trick is figuring out who they are.
The other problem you have in college is the inconsistant play of the guards. Their inability to get the ball to the big man inside. Aldrich doesn't have that problem. Kansas has good guard play, so any inconsistancy belongs to him. Same could be said for Cousins. So you can make fair judgements on them for the most part. The same can't be said for Alabi or Udoh, or Varanado. All three play on teams with guards that think their only job is to shoot three pointers.
Then you get a guy like Parakhouski who plays for Radford and puts up 25 and 12 every game. But he plays in a lesser conference against less talented competition. You can't fault his results, but you have to wonder how it translates to tougher competition. Thats why when you get a guy like Blake Griffin who put up 25 and 15 every game against the best competition in college, you know you have a special player. None of those around this year. But there will be a few that will turn out to be special. The trick is figuring out who they are.
I have nothing against Aldrich. He may become a very good NBA player, but I agree that I don't see what he gives us that Hawes doesn't. Part of this may be that I still believe in Hawes. He is only 21 and I think he will still be an amazing offensive player and solid defender (think Vlade, although maybe a poor man's version). However, unless it is a clear BPA situation, I am just not sure that Aldrich brings anything to the table that Hawes does not. I would rather go a different direction.
I agree with you on fouls, but my ultimate litmus test is to look how they do against pro-prospects. This has served me very, very well in discussions in the past. Even you have noted that Aldrich has been very underwhelming against potential pros this year. If it has been due to BS fouls, I will trust you to elucidate us, since I have not seen the games (I have never hesitated to admit I am a much bigger pro than college fan).
Fair enoug, my lack of watching college games may be hurting me here. However, do you think he is strong enough to use his post moves in the NBA? Canhe be a good enough defender to seriously differentiate him from Hawes. I really am not asking these to challenge you, it's a serious inquiry for anyone who has seen the games.
The only player that I thought totally dominated him, and that was only in the second half because that player got into foul trouble in the first half. That player is Parakhouski. I think it may have been the first time this year that Aldrich went up against someone that was just as tall, if not taller and also stronger than him. I would be interested in seeing a rematch of the two to see if Aldrich is able to adjust.
It's hard to judge how much Aldrich really tried when his team was +20. In the first half when it kinda mattered (game was semi-close) Parakhouski was double-teamed and had 0p(0-2) and 4 rebs if I remember correctly. Who cares about garbage time?
For belarussian it was a matchup of his career, for Aldrich - ordinary game. It still ended in a draw.
For belarussian it was a matchup of his career, for Aldrich - ordinary game. It still ended in a draw.
You could be right, but unfortunately for Parakhouski he got in early foul trouble in the first half and sat on the bench for most of it. Kansas going up 20 had a lot to do with the fact that Radfords best player was sitting on the bench. I guess if you just want to compare the halfs then you can call it a draw. To me the difference was that in the first half Aldrich didn't have to worry much about Parakhouski because he wasn't there. In the second half, whether Aldrich was trying or not, Parakhouski dominated him. Now I'll grant you this. Aldrich was partly responsible for getting Parakhouski in foul trouble in the first half. Which was very uncharacteristic for Parakhouski, who seldom gets into foul trouble. So in that sense, maybe you could say Aldrich won the first half.
To me the bigger issue is that you have to admit that Aldrich was bothered by playing against someone that was just as big, if not bigger than he was. Just one game. And by the way, I like Aldrich, so I'm not saying that this is an indictment of him one way or the other. Your right about Parakhouski's scoring in the first half, but he did end up with 21 points and 13 rebounds in the game. Almost all in the second half. He also had two blocks. Both of which were on Aldrich if memory serves.
The only other big man I can remember Aldrich going up against was Keith Benson from Oakland. And Benson more than held his own against Aldrich. They're going to play Texas fairly soon. I want to see how Aldrich fares against Pittman.
To me the bigger issue is that you have to admit that Aldrich was bothered by playing against someone that was just as big, if not bigger than he was. Just one game. And by the way, I like Aldrich, so I'm not saying that this is an indictment of him one way or the other. Your right about Parakhouski's scoring in the first half, but he did end up with 21 points and 13 rebounds in the game. Almost all in the second half. He also had two blocks. Both of which were on Aldrich if memory serves.
The only other big man I can remember Aldrich going up against was Keith Benson from Oakland. And Benson more than held his own against Aldrich. They're going to play Texas fairly soon. I want to see how Aldrich fares against Pittman.