Can LaMarcus Aldridge and Trail Blazers continue blistering form?

LaMarcus Aldridge has been nothing short of sublime so far this season and has already picked up three Player of the Week awards, whilst leading Portland to top of the NBA.

Aldridge has now won the award three times which is more than any other player; his latest success coming last week. The star power forward is averaging 23.6ppg to go with 11.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

The MVP candidate offers Trail Blazers not only consistent high scoring, but the ability to defend, drive and shoot well beyond the perimeter. He is fantastic in the post and scored 31 points and 25 rebounds against Houston on Friday, becoming the first ever Trail Blazer to do so.

Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson told NBA.com: “He’s a load, I don’t think I can remember seeing someone who takes so many hard, contested, fadeaway jump shots and consistently makes them. He’s really, really good.”

Aldridge, who is averaging more points and rebounds than ever before in his career, has dropped ten or more field goals in his last five games, averaging 25.6ppg with four straight double-doubles.

Portland are currently atop of the standings with a win percentage of .846, a massive improvement on last season when they could only manage 21^st place and a .402 win percentage.

Blazers are averaging 108.3ppg, which is more than any other team and scored the highest points total of the season so far, when thrashing Philadelphia 76ers 139-105. They have scored over 100 points in the last 13 games, of which 11 have been wins. Improving their away record to 12-2 meant they Portland have won more games on the road already than in the whole of last season.

After losing the final thirteen games of last season, Portland dropped out of the play-off places which led to rumours that Aldridge could be heading for the exit door.

However, the 28-year-old stayed loyal to Rip City, where he has played since becoming professional and has continued to deliver game after game so far this campaign.

Aldridge is proving why he is the NBA’s best power forward, but the question on everyone’s mind is whether he and the Trail Blazers can continue to compete and become genuine MVP and Championship contenders respectively.

Judging on last season’s performance, most people would rule it out, however the newly organised team which includes a much stronger overall roster have every chance of becoming champions for the first time since 1977.

Portland head coach, Terry Stotts is due credit for the way he has turned last year’s unorganised team into one of the most exciting and solid teams in the NBA.

The acquisition of Robin Lopez at center along with bench players Mo Williams, Dorell Wright and Thomas Robinson has added to the offense based around last year’s rookie MVP, Damian Lillard, two-time all-star Aldridge and their reliable two man pick-and-roll game.

Lillard is currently averaging 20.7ppg, along with 5.8 assists and scored the winning basket against both Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers in Trail Blazers previous two games.

Stotts told NBA.com: “He’s doing everything that he’s done well before a little bit better. His performance on the court has been terrific, but he’s part of the reason we have the good chemistry that we have. It’s the intangibles that go beyond the points and the rebounds.”

The only remaining concern for Stotts’ men is defense as Portland are currently conceding 101.23ppg and whilst they are outscoring most teams, locking up tighter may be the difference between winning the championship or not.

Current champions Miami Heat averaged 102.9ppg last season, whilst conceding only 95.0ppg. The Denver Nuggets had the best ppg average of 106.1, whilst the defensively solid Indiana Pacers conceded only 90.7ppg.