The Heat didn’t have the salary cap space to sign Aldridge, and Riley’s wish for Aldridge to sign a one-year deal with Portland and wait for the Heat’s space in 2016 was a most unappealing proposition. “But it went well”. The guys played well. “I thought we believed we could win”.
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It was Aldridge’s first game in Portland since signing a four-year, $80-million free-agent contract with the Spurs in July. Coming in both the Spurs and Aldridge knew it would be an adjustment to add another superstar to the mix and head coach Gregg Popovich doesn’t think Aldridge is comfortable with the system just yet, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN.
He registered four turnovers, and scored 9-for-18 from the field. “So this was a first time for me, so confused”. “At first it surprised me, but after awhile, I was used to it”. He has staggered the minutes of Aldridge and Leonard to have them on the court with Mills, Ginobili and Diaw, making that the second-most used unit on the team.
“It was emotional. I have nothing but love for this city”. I developed here as a player, as a man. So I love this city, and that will never change. The Golden State Warriors are the only team better than the Spurs in defense. Aldridge led the team, averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds.
The Blazers are now on a two game skid, most recently suffering a road loss to the Nuggets.
Even though a few fans inside the Moda Center booed Aldridge, the majority seemed to support Portland’s franchise leader in rebounds (5,434) and double-doubles (234). “They’re a veteran team”. They showed that tonight. San Antonio has a winning 2-1 record in games where it scores less than 100.
Faried rebounded Gallinari’s errant shot in the lane for a putback with 5 seconds remaining to give the Denver Nuggets a 103-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
The Spurs pushed the lead to 58-46 at the break.
“With their whole team, the ball is moving”. The Spurs are good, but not too good at the top (at least in perception, because Leonard is great). Damian Lillard made five threes en route to 22 points and nine assists, while CJ McCollum added 21 points, but there was just no stopping the Spurs who finished shooting 56.1 percent from the field.
Spurs fans went insane on social media and also became terrified at the same time because of the way Leonard fell to the floor.
Lillard said it was a little odd playing against Aldridge. A lot of the 2s were at the rim. I’ve seen him with his daughters.
It was a bad night for the Blazers all around.
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But the Blazers were stung in the ensuing moments when starting forward Meyers Leonard was whisked to the locker room with what turned out to be a dislocated left shoulder.
