San Antonio Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge is quite the specimen with his unglamorous on-court display that translates to eye-popping numbers. Averaging 23.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, two assists, and 1.2 blocks per game last season, the 33-year-old All-star anchored the Spurs on both ends of the floor with his offensive and defensive prowess.
In the grand scheme of things, you can somehow consider the five-time All-NBA selection to be sort of a Tim Duncan-esque stereotype. Not a knock on the greatness of the legendary Spurs power forward, but the likeness of how they operate on the court.
According to Jeff McDonald of San Antonio Express-News, Spurs head coach extraordinaire Gregg Popovich may have seen some Duncan in the six-time All-star.
“He’s kind of like Timmy (Duncan) now, you take him for granted. He comes in and scores his points and rebounds and takes care of the defensive end, and you expect it every night because he’s such a pro.”
With the retirement of Manu Ginobili, migration of Tony Parker to Charlotte, and the moving of Kawhi Leonard to the North, it seems like Aldridge is one of the few transition pieces left from the franchise's consistently-competitive era to the new age Spurs.
Currently paired with fellow All-star DeMar DeRozan, they form a formidable Texas one-two punch that can surprise teams in the West — Mike D'Antoni acknowledges that too.
As the franchise changes finally settle in, look for Aldridge to do more and fully take on the challenge to carry the renowned franchise on his shoulders for a shot at playoff glory.
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