LaMarcus Aldridge's breakout season started with a bang in game one. 27 points on 12 for 19 shooting against the Spurs. His scoring came from inside, outside, facing the basket, back to the basket. He's looking great as far as being a ridiculously effective scoring PF who plays defense.

I thought Chicago drafting him at #2 was a great pick. Then they traded him for Tyrus Thomas.

So uhh... why didn't the Bulls just keep this kid?

 

only thing i can really think of was that tyrus thomas was coming off a brilliant ncaa tournament, and i believe he had the better workouts. and he maybe skiles and paxson thought he was a better fit for their lineup.

aldridge had a reputation, i believe, of being lazy and unmotivated. and thomas did school aldridge in the ncaa tourney.

besides, i don't think they had any intention of keeping aldridge in the first place. they probably knew they could draft aldridge, and trade down for thomas.

regardless, i wouldn't give up on thomas just yet.

 

+1

 

Aldridge has that heart problem that scared off some, but when he's getting minutes he's showing what he can do.

Tyrus plays on a playoff team that is giving him the most minutes they can.

 

actually heart thing was after he got into NBA, but I remember some sort of injury concern.

 

Give Tyrus a chance. he still has a ton of upside/potential, and he is a good player.

Give Tyrus a team where he is the #1 guy and he will shock some people also.

However, the bulls do need an inside scorer like aldridge

 

if you happened to watch the 2006? tourney game between lsu and texas, thomas owned aldridge the entire game. I think thomas has far more upside i just hope it comes to fruition soon

 

thomas is playing in a different situation than aldridge.

thomas is on a playoff team and playing as a role/complimentary player, while aldridge has the luxury of getting the big minutes right away.

it's easy to look back and redo things, but i still believe thomas has the higher upside.

 

^^^^ i agree

 

Every once in a while I start thinking about Paxson made as stupid mistake by trading Aldridge for Thomas. While Tyrus hasn't had extensive playing time and has shown some skills, I don't know if he will live up to be considered the next Shawn Marion.
On the other hand, LaMarcus is doing great for the Trailblazers. As a starter, he is posting some big numbers.

We passed up on the next Chris Bosh/Gasol and we got the next Stromile Swift/Tyson Chandler...horrible pick

he would of fit Chicago great, he still needs to put on some weight if he wants to become even better, but how he is now is just insane on how far he has come. He has the size, and already had a decent post game.

Hinrich
Gordon
Deng
LA
Wallace

That lineup looks so much better than what we have now. Hell if we still had Tyson, and we wouldn't of traded to get Tyrus. We would still have the youngest team in the league, and they would be able to get to the Playoffs each year.