The relationship between LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard has been one of the most overlooked storylines since his decision to join his hometown San Antonio Spurs in the offseason of 2015.
Now in his third season with the Spurs, the big man has been able to reflect on how he handled sharing the spotlight with his former teammate.
“It’s always tough for me to find that balance where I want to tell [Damian] not to do this or this is better,” Aldridge told Michael Pina of Vice Sports, recapitulating his three-year stint with the All-Star point man. “But I don’t want him to feel like I’m trying to hold him back from being who he wants to be. I do regret not talking to him at times, but also I feel like he was trying to find himself.”
“I would say him and I have learned more about each other since I left that would’ve helped us when I was there, so I’ve learned from that and I’m trying to be better and not worry if I come off a certain way, because I feel like when people know who I am as a person, they know I have no ill will. I’m more reserved, so I didn’t want to come off as trying to stifle his shine. I just got back in the corner and let him do his thing…I feel like if him and I communicated as much then as we do now, then things would’ve been totally different.”
Aldridge has had his share of dynamic partnerships, first teaming up with Brandon Roy, who had an unfortunate end to his career due to nagging knee issues following a myriad of procedures.
While Lillard and Aldridge were a potent duo during their short stint together, much like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, they were both better apart over the course of time.
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