A little "Love" for Cole Aldrich

So, how fun would it have been to have been able to snag Kevin Love in the offseason or last year. He seems like the real deal.  Especially coming off of a very solid FIBA performance. That said, check out these clips side by side.

Cole Aldrich #45 Mix (via RealCollegeBBall)

Kevin Love vs. Oregon Highlights (via 805Bruin)

Ok, I know Love is better AND was just a Freshman.  But, there is something strikingly similar to me about their game (other than both being tall white dudes with shaved heads). There's a very similar toughness, nose for the ball, and outlet passing ability.  Love has a fantastic added dimension in his 3pt attack, but in Minny he seems to do most of his work down low anyway. You've also gotta love Aldrich's 3.5 Blk to K-Love's 1.4 Blk.

My point is, I feel like this could be Presti's way of finding a financially lucrative alternative to a dirty-work and toughness-minded garbage man who's already got polish. A do-over from the Tyson Chandler deal that went sour. We don't need to Robert Swift or BJ Mullens this kid, because he's actually ready. He also has a very complimentary skill set to Kristic in that Nenad is often a perimeter type center and Aldrich isn't at all. He wants to block, rebound, and get put-backs and dunks. 

I'll give one more qualifier, I think Love's game would be a BEST CASE scenario for Aldrich but at worst, I think he's at least a more aggressive Spencer Hawes who gets his 10pts 6reb nightly. Most likely a DeJuan Blair type work  horse, but taller. 

It's very early to say but Aldrich could be an ideal fit for the Thunder's needs. They didn't need a perimeter big, or a thin scoring big, they needed a sturdy, intense, low-block, and active pure center.  Plenty to prove this season for the Minnesota boy, but there's a lot to be excited about.  So not only has the pick grown on me, but in a great scenario he may just be that missing puzzle piece that was under the couch for years that you finally found.  Gotta "Love" that!