Minnesota Sports Forum

longstrangetrip wrote:I was far from the first to jump on the Aldrich bandwagon...several of you have been advocating him for awhile...but this was the article that really got me excited about him a few days ago. The author lays out a case for why the Clips had to make him a priority in free agency, with some very compelling data. How about 3rd in the league in defensive plus/minus for centers? And beyond his stats, his constant hustle will make him a fan favorite. This is terrific news!

http://clipperholics.com/2016/05/03/clippers-cannot-lose-cole-aldrich-in-2016-nba-free-agency/

A great signing. I haven't read the article yet. But you might recall I was probably the first on this board to call for signing Aldrich. A bargain price for a guy who will shore up our front court.

lipoli390 wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:I was far from the first to jump on the Aldrich bandwagon...several of you have been advocating him for awhile...but this was the article that really got me excited about him a few days ago. The author lays out a case for why the Clips had to make him a priority in free agency, with some very compelling data. How about 3rd in the league in defensive plus/minus for centers? And beyond his stats, his constant hustle will make him a fan favorite. This is terrific news!

http://clipperholics.com/2016/05/03/clippers-cannot-lose-cole-aldrich-in-2016-nba-free-agency/

A great signing. I haven't read the article yet. But you might recall I was probably the first on this board to call for signing Aldrich. A bargain price for a guy who will shore up our front court.

I know you've liked Aldrich for a while, but I thought I was first :P. I know I discussed him as far back as April. I've cut and pasted a couple posts I made from back in April and May::

I like Aldrich a lot if we can get him on a decent deal. Deng is a also a good pickup if he signs for a reasonable amount. The only issue I have is the backup defense is terrible with Jones, Lavine, Muhammad and Murray/Hield. We need to trade Bazz or draft a better defender as Murray is terrible at defense and Hield has question marks on defense too. If we could get a top 3 pick then we go Ingram, Simmons/Bender, but if not I would look to parlay that pick into Luwawu and Valentine. Valentine is one of the most ready to play rookies, very high IQ guy and he plays both ways. I think Luwawu has the best upside outside of the top 3 guys (and I think under Thibs his defense could shine right away and his offense will probably need a year of development). If we really are sold on Hield (that he can defend and be more than a 3pt specialist), then I grab Buddy and try to swap Bazz for a wing who can defend.
Posted Apr 26, 16 · Last edited Apr 26, 16

And another:

My Top 15 Free Agent Bargains

1. Cole Aldrich
2. Jared Dudley
3. Mario Chalmers
4. Evan Turner
5. Aron Afflalo
6. Jeremy Lin
7. Nene
8. Hibbert
9. Mozgov
10. Jordan Hill
11. DJ Augustin
12 Alan Crabbe
13. Jon Leuer
14. Jerryd Bayless
15. Alan Anderson
Posted May 24, 16 · OP

TeamRicky wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:I was far from the first to jump on the Aldrich bandwagon...several of you have been advocating him for awhile...but this was the article that really got me excited about him a few days ago. The author lays out a case for why the Clips had to make him a priority in free agency, with some very compelling data. How about 3rd in the league in defensive plus/minus for centers? And beyond his stats, his constant hustle will make him a fan favorite. This is terrific news!

http://clipperholics.com/2016/05/03/clippers-cannot-lose-cole-aldrich-in-2016-nba-free-agency/

A great signing. I haven't read the article yet. But you might recall I was probably the first on this board to call for signing Aldrich. A bargain price for a guy who will shore up our front court.

I know you've liked Aldrich for a while, but I thought I was first :P. I know I discussed him as far back as April. I've cut and pasted a couple posts I made from back in April and May::

I like Aldrich a lot if we can get him on a decent deal. Deng is a also a good pickup if he signs for a reasonable amount. The only issue I have is the backup defense is terrible with Jones, Lavine, Muhammad and Murray/Hield. We need to trade Bazz or draft a better defender as Murray is terrible at defense and Hield has question marks on defense too. If we could get a top 3 pick then we go Ingram, Simmons/Bender, but if not I would look to parlay that pick into Luwawu and Valentine. Valentine is one of the most ready to play rookies, very high IQ guy and he plays both ways. I think Luwawu has the best upside outside of the top 3 guys (and I think under Thibs his defense could shine right away and his offense will probably need a year of development). If we really are sold on Hield (that he can defend and be more than a 3pt specialist), then I grab Buddy and try to swap Bazz for a wing who can defend.
Posted Apr 26, 16 · Last edited Apr 26, 16

And another:

My Top 15 Free Agent Bargains

1. Cole Aldrich
2. Jared Dudley
3. Mario Chalmers
4. Evan Turner
5. Aron Afflalo
6. Jeremy Lin
7. Nene
8. Hibbert
9. Mozgov
10. Jordan Hill
11. DJ Augustin
12 Alan Crabbe
13. Jon Leuer
14. Jerryd Bayless
15. Alan Anderson
Posted May 24, 16 · OP

Nice work, Ricky and Lipoli...you guys were first on the Aldrich train! I don't think any of us here are unhappy with this deal now.

TeamRicky - ok, mabe you best me. But not by much. :).

lipoli390 wrote:TeamRicky - ok, mabe you best me. But not by much. :).

I will say that Lip has been consistently vocal about going after Adlrich for quite some time...

I don't think this has been mentioned here yet, but the Strib found it noteworthy enough to mention it 3 times this morning! Cole was one of only 2 players last year to average at least 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks per 36. Whiteside got a max contract, Aldrich got just north of $7 million.

Per 36 is maligned, because it is a sloppy way of comparing full-time to part-time players. but in this case, Cole was more productive than all centers other than Whiteside, both full and part time. And since I don't expect us to employ Cole for any more than the 15 MPG he got last year (and actually probably less), I find it to be a good estimate for the production we can expect from him in the limited minutes he's on the court.

Q12543 wrote:

mrhockey89 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

mrhockey89 wrote:Another Bloomington Jefferson great joining the likes of Minnesota teams.

Go Jaguars

I echo that sentiment Hockey! He played after my time in high school, but he's about as hometown as you can get for me.

Q, did you go to Jefferson?

Indeed I did. I believe we had this discussion once on the old ESPN board. I think I was ahead of you too....Class of '87. Jefferson won state titles in b-ball thanks to Kevin Lynch my junior and senior year.

I remember the discussion which centered around the question if I was Mr Hockey in '89, but I forgot you went there too. I knew there was a reason I consistently like your takes. :)

I'd like to give Kevin Lynch credit...but I can't stand him as an analyst, so I try to keep him out of mind.

But yeah, I was '97, back when they were taking the hockey titles back to back to back.

Question...did you ever have Doc Borman (Philosphy/Anthropology teacher)?

mrhockey89 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

mrhockey89 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

mrhockey89 wrote:Another Bloomington Jefferson great joining the likes of Minnesota teams.

Go Jaguars

I echo that sentiment Hockey! He played after my time in high school, but he's about as hometown as you can get for me.

Q, did you go to Jefferson?

Indeed I did. I believe we had this discussion once on the old ESPN board. I think I was ahead of you too....Class of '87. Jefferson won state titles in b-ball thanks to Kevin Lynch my junior and senior year.

I remember the discussion which centered around the question if I was Mr Hockey in '89, but I forgot you went there too. I knew there was a reason I consistently like your takes. :)

I'd like to give Kevin Lynch credit...but I can't stand him as an analyst, so I try to keep him out of mind.

But yeah, I was '97, back when they were taking the hockey titles back to back to back.

Question...did you ever have Doc Borman (Philosphy/Anthropology teacher)?

Nope, had Dr. Kuzma for Philosophy....not sure if he would have still been there for you, as he was an older gent when I had him. Great teacher though.

Nope, he wasn't there. I was assuming Doc Borman had been there forever.

60WinTim wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:TeamRicky - ok, mabe you best me. But not by much. :).

I will say that Lip has been consistently vocal about going after Adlrich for quite some time...

I don't mind sharing recognition with Lip (I just didn't want to be overlooked). I have been in the pro-Aldrich camp as long as I have focused on this year's free agency crop and I assume the same is true for Lip.