Kobe is a Problem, but the Real Problem is Lakers Management

"LaMarcus Aldridge didn't quite gel with Kobe Bryant." Many critics will quickly say that Kobe Bryant was the problem and that Aldridge doesn't want to be a Laker because of the Black Mamba. However, this isn't necessarily true. While Kobe Bryant may have been a small part of the reason Aldridge and many other free agents don't want to sign with the Lakers, he's only there for one year, and probably doesn't play as big a role as many believe in these free agents decisions. The real problem is Lakers management, most notably, Jim Buss.

The Lakers have not landed any marquee free agents since Jim Buss has taken over the team after his father, Jerry, passed away. This is because Jim isn't the charming, charismatic figure that Jerry was. There isn't that mystique about him that you know you're talking to a guy you can trust. There isn't the basketball knowledge and desire to win. All you have is a guy who seems to have a big ego and not want to listen to anyone else that disagrees with him. Jim Buss was supposed to improve the Lakers this offseason after passing up on Jahlil Okafor for the prized point guard, DeAngelo Russell. The idea for the draft pick was that the Lakers would get a big man in free agency. This has not been the case. The Lakers are looking like they're going to strike out in free agency (again) and the bulk of the blame has to be put on Jim Buss who didn't know what LaMarcus Aldridge wanted to hear, he didn't know Larry Nance tweeted about Kobe Bryant, and he didn't know Dwight Howard wanted out of LA and refused to get anything in return for him. 

Jeanie Buss has stated that Jim has 2 more years to get the Lakers back into playoff contention, but will the fans wait that long? 

Return of the NBA Big Man in the West?

            Whens the last time you thought of a big man winning the MVP before this year? Probably not since Shaq or Tim Duncan (no disrespect to Dirk). The NBA has, in recent years, evolved into a “small man’s” league. Small forwards and guards have won most of the recent MVPs from Steve Nash to Kevin Durant. Dirk may be a power forward, but his style of play isn’t really a big man’s game. Guards and small forwards have been the talk of the NBA, heck, even Dwight Howard wasn’t considered the best on his Houston team to many last year. Post play has been considered an afterthought in a league that had traditionally been known to build around big men.

            This notion, however, may be changing this year, especially in the West. There are many big men MVP candidates with the past three winners; Rose, LeBron, and Durant, either battling injury or struggling to adjust to new teams. This has opened the door for a whole new group of candidates to emerge, among many of which are big men. Anthony Davis may be the leader for the MVP award after improving his already impressive play from last year. He is a defensive anchor who is scoring points in bunches as well this year and will probably win the MVP if his play and stats results in more wins for his team. Dwight Howard is co-leading Houston with James Harden to an 11-3 record. Houston was considered an afterthought after the loss of Chandler Parsons, but Howard and Harden, along with the help of some solid role players has brought Houston to title aspirations.

            Two other big men that may be more surprising may be Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies and DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings. Gasol has been a defensive anchor to a Grizzlies team that struggled last year without him. Now that he’s been playing in full this year, Memphis finds themselves atop the Western Conference. Gasol is proving that his presence made all the difference from last year to this year and that’s what makes him an MVP candidate.
           Lastly DeMarcus Cousins is probably the most surprising MVP candidate. He has always been considered a top-notch NBA talent, but many always questioned his maturity and if he could last in the league if he didn't improve the mental aspect of his game. This year, he seems to have done that , even restraining his coach from getting a technical foul in order to win a close basketball game. He's upped his statistics from a year ago , and most importantly , has Sacramento in the playoffs as of right now early in the season.
         Of course, the big question is if these players can keep up this play thoroughout the season. If they do, one of them may be the holder of the MVP trophy on the big man once again as it has in the past. The West has many other big men MVP candidates including Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Tim Duncan as well. We can't guarantee that a big man will win this award if LeBron and Cleveland pull their act together, but one thing is for sure, the NBA BIG MAN IS BACK.

        

             

NBA 2nd Tier

Video Game : 2nd tier superstar fantasy draft
LaMarcus Aldridge

One of the most exciting things about NBA 2K outside of the many online features, is the fantasy draft. In a fantasy draft, the best players in the league (LeBron James, Kevin Durant, CP3) are going to be taken right away. After them, there tends to be a lot of the younger stars that teams can build a team around (Damien Lillard, Paul George, Blake Griffin, etc.) are taken. For teams that are forced to draft a player between 11-20 have a more challenging decision to make. What's left are usually veteran players (such as Tim Duncan) or players that have not reached there potential and COULD become great. If you ever happen to be stuck in this scenario, one for sure player to consider is LaMarcus Aldridge.  LaMarcus Aldridge is the best all around power forward in the game today. Sure , he won't dazzle you with any spectacular dunks or anything, but he will go toe to toe with the best.

This past season, LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds. In the playoffs , LaMarcus went on a MONSTER run against the Rockets. Against Houston, Aldridge scored 46 points in Game 1, then scored 43 points in the next game. Needless to say, Aldridge averaged 26.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

In my opinion, a lot of the time LaMarcus Aldridge is a steal. Aldridge is one player that you wouldn't have to worry when it pertains to production. Aldridge has both a low post game, and a midrange shot that is simply deadly.  Aldridge can play in any style of offense because of his mobility. Last but not least , Aldridge plays something known as DEFENSE! In 2K , you usually have to either get a defensive minded big man, or a big man who could score, but lacks in other areas. Aldridge is as close as it gets to having both qualities in one player.