trailblazers:
LaMarcus Aldridge’s Ever Expanding Offensive Repertoire
For the last two seasons, Aldridge spent 49.6 percent and 49 percent of his possessions in the post, whether finishing or passing the ball out according to Synergy Sports Technology. This past season Aldridge was in the post on only 39.6 percent of his possessions whether passing or shooting, ranking fifth in the league in points per possession on such plays, among players who did so on at least 300 possessions. It’s still far and away the biggest part of his game, but how he’s becoming a more useful player than just one who can score and pass out of a double-team in the post and hit a jumper on a pick and pop.
Aldridge’s use in pick and rolls and pick and pops has been the obvious uptick as he and Damian Lillard have formed a fantastic duo. Aldridge has also become more comfortable making moves off the moves, such as taking a dribble to get a shot off a pick and pop rather than just taking the jumper, which teams aren’t letting him just get with ease anymore.
According to Synergy, 23 percent of Aldridge’s jumpers in pick and pop plays came off the dribble. In 2010-2011, it was six percent and during the lockout shortened season it was 13.8 percent. Now, he’s doing it more and improved his efficiency on those shots by .18 points per possession, a notable and encouraging increase. His dribble moves are more precise, quicker and effective.
