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When big man LaMarcus Aldridge signed with the Brooklyn Nets, opinions were divided. Some considered him another gem in the Brooklyn Infinity Gauntlet, while others thought of him as a washed veteran chasing after a ring.
Only time will tell, what narrative is correct, but for now, we can evaluate his first game in a Nets Jersey last Thursday. Aldridge was one of the starters and played a total of 29 minutes in the game. He finished with a full stat line of 11 points, nine boards, six assists, two steals, and a block. These are numbers that look closer to Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green.
Lamarcus Aldridge in his Nets debut:
11 points
9 rebounds
6 assists
2 steals
+22And Kyrie is his #1 fan.pic.twitter.com/rKHv9tK1iy
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 2, 2021
In 21 games this season as a San Antonio Spur, Aldridge averaged 13.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and less than both one block and steal. These numbers are a far cry from the previous year's averages let alone his latest All-Star numbers.
Aldridge's arrival is a positive for the Nets, but we will have to wait and see if he can be the difference-maker in a closely contested series or game.
In his debut, it is important to note that both former league-MVPs Kevin Durant and James Harden and Blake Griffin did not play. This means that Aldridge had more usage than can be expected moving forward. Also, their opponent, the Charlotte Hornets does not exactly have the most imposing frontcourt in the league with Bismack Biyombo, P.J. Washington, and Cody Zeller. While Brooklyn came out on top, 111-89, the game was a blowout for most of the night, so it is challenging to make any concrete conclusions. For reference, Kyrie Irving only scored 15 points.
Grade: B+
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With all of that said, a fitting grade for Aldridge would be B+. He looked spry in an NBA court once again. The assist totals may be an aberration, but he looked comfortable making smart passes from the post.
Further, he has never been able to play with so many elite outside shooters on a roster before. While expecting six assists a game is too much, it is not far-fetched to believe he could have one of the highest assist averages in his career.
📼 @aldridge_12 made his presence felt in his Nets debut 📼 pic.twitter.com/oji5vWFyNQ
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 2, 2021
Also, he looked more active on the defensive end. If he could be even a decent rim-protector, this will go a long way for a team that is a regular candidate to make opposing centers have a career night.
Aldridge can be more efficient from the field, as he just shot 40%, but as his fellow All-Stars start playing, he will have some of the most open looks he has ever seen. Even in his younger days, his game was not predicated on physical attributes, so there is cause to be optimistic in his Brooklyn stint.
