The retirement party for LaMarcus Aldridge, after being bought out by the San Antonio Spurs, seemed to edge closer until the Brooklyn Nets threw him a lifeline. Given his offensive skills, for his first championship, Aldridge was seen as Brooklyn’s front-court presence needed in the franchise chase.
Aldridge played five Nets games, averaging 12.8 points and 4.4 rebounds while holding moving their free-flowing offence. Brooklyn apparently found their missing piece in the former star of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Unfortunately, Aldridge’s basketball gods and body had something else in mind. After missing the last two games due to what was called an “illness,” Aldridge unexpectedly revealed he’s not getting back on an NBA court.
Aldridge announced on Twitter that he was playing his last NBA game, citing an irregular heartbeat. Aldridge said the pain he felt after his last game was “one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced.” Nets GM Sean Marks backed Aldridge’s decision to call it quits, saying “health and well-being are much more important than basketball.”
Brooklyn Nets LaMarcus Aldridge called a job.
Aldridge, who was selected second overall by Portland in 2006, finished his career as one of the greatest forwards in recent decades. He scored 19.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game with the Trail Blazers and Spurs, being named a seven-time All-Star.
Aldridge’s post offense was legendary, with his lethal mid-range jumper making him one of the league’s highest-scoring big men year after year.Though his defence deteriorated with age, his tenure in Portland proved to be one of the best interior defenders at one point.
DeAndre Jordan’s return to rotation could help the Nets replace Aldridge in the short term, with Nicolas Claxton and Alize Johnson possibly planning larger off-bench positions now that Aldridge has left the game.
While in this year’s postseason he couldn’t help the Nets, Aldridge has been one of the best big men the game has had to give for over a decade, and he’ll get some Hall of Fame consideration. It’s sad it had to end this way, but LMA’s long-term wellbeing is now more critical than anything.
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