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2015 NBA Playoffs: Players Under the Most Pressure

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) saves a ball from going out of bounds during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) saves a ball from going out of bounds during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 19, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during the game in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during the game in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: Power Forward

Age: 29

Experience: 9th Season

Slash Line: .466/.352/.845

Season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 23.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.7 SPG

Marc Gasol is a defensive juggernaut with outstanding size, a well-rounded skill-set, and a Western Conference Finals appearance to his name. Thus, his value is established in free agency as a player who, at the very least, can be a defensive anchor.

LaMarcus Aldridge enters free agency with a dynamic attack of his own, but his name has been made with one polarizing skill: scoring prowess.

Aldridge was phenomenal during the 2014 NBA Playoffs. In 2015, he scored 34 points in Game 1, but converted just 13-of-34 field goal attempts in a Game 1 100-86 loss to Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies.

It was an ugly showing by Portland, and Aldridge’s statistics don’t change that.

As teams weigh their options, paying Aldridge max money will be one of them. He’ll likely cash in, and deservedly so, but contenders may be wary if he and the Trail Blazers lose in the first round.

Losing Wesley Matthews for the season was a vital blow and Arron Afflalo‘s unavailability didn’t make life any easier in Game 1. With that being said, the Blazers have lost in the first round in three of four postseason appearances with Aldridge.

If that number grows to four out of of five appearances, doubt will grow in the minds of league executives.

Can a team build around Aldridge and win a title when he’s only once made it out of Round 1 and never once reached the Conference Finals?

Aldridge deserves every bit of praise he receives, but that’s a fair question to ponder if Portland loses in Round 1 yet again.

Next: One-and-Done Again?