In my original post i didnt quote you. So theres no reason to think im aiming at you. My problem with Aldrich is that i dont buy him being a stopper in the NBA. Theres no conspiracy involving talking about getting a defensive bigman and then secretly hoping we dont get one. I honestly dont think Cole Aldrich will address the issue of interior defense as well as other players in the draft. The infatuation with Aldrich on this board make me scratch my head.
Nothing personal I was just venting too. Also I never suggest there was a conspiracy just that there is a discrepancy between what is said and done.
Here are some quotes from Draft Express that back me up:
"Defensively, Aldrich has terrific lower body strength which renders him extremely difficult to back down in the post. This makes him a very useful player to counter against the type of old-school back to the basket centers (Shaq, Yao,
Marc Gasol, etc) that are still found in today’s NBA, something that many teams just don’t have. He uses his outstanding wingspan very effectively to contest shots in the paint, being very fundamentally sound in the way he gets his long arms right in his defender’s face to deny good looks at the basket."
"Perhaps Aldrich’s biggest asset defensively revolves around his shot-blocking ability, where he yet again ranks
in the top 5 amongst draft prospects, thanks to his terrific length and timing. He’s the type of shot-blocker who stays out of foul trouble, rarely goal-tends and usually keeps balls in-bounds on top of that, often showing the wherewithal to tip it to a teammate and ignite the fast break, which is a big plus."
"While some may balk at using an extremely high pick on a player who projects as a very effective defender and rebounder and limited scorer, big men with Aldrich’s physical tools are very difficult to come by. Even though his upside may not be off the charts, he doesn’t have very much downside either, as you pretty much know what you’re getting here, which is an excellent all-around role-player, and an
Academic All-American on top of that."
I've been saying I want defense in the middle for a long time and I meant it. If Cousins is off the table then this is the guy that will do us the most good IMO.
Who is it you're thinking would do a better job of interior defense that would be available for us?
