San Antonio’s arrival in Portland is noted by many as it will be the first time LaMarcus Aldridge plays in the arena since he left the Trail Blazers early in the summer.
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While LaMarcus Aldridge’s return to the the Moda Center will be met with mixed reactions, a charitable move by the former Portland Trail Blazer All-Star is sure to generate a few positive vibes. For the past three years, Aldridge had played alongside Damian Lillard, developing a great on-court relationship and making the Blazers a perennial playoff team.
With Aldridge gone, the Trailblazers are now building their franchise around point guard Damien Lillard, who signed a five-year, $120 million contract in the offseason.
We try to have a conversation before every Spurs vs Blazers game, and I knew we couldn’t miss the chance to discuss Aldridge’s return to Rip City, and all that it entails.
He and the Spurs are in town and for Aldridge it’s his first game in Portland as a visitor after nine seasons of playing with the Blazers.
“I love this city”. I love the fans. “I developed as a player, as a man”, he said. In four games against the Spurs a year ago, he averaged 26.8 points and 5.5 assists.
“It’s going to be different for me, being here where it all started for me, but I’m not going to put too much pressure on it”, Aldridge said. The Spurs are off to a 5-2 start. I understand their loyalty to their team.
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Lillard may be fired up to beat Aldridge and the Spurs after the Blazers lost a tough one to the Nuggets. He told me, ‘We don’t win any of those championships rings without him, ‘ [and] that [Bosh] wouldn’t trade those rings for anything.
