After the San Antonio Spurs' Game 2 victory over the Golden State Warriors, Gregg Popovich raised some eyebrows with his comments about LaMarcus Aldridge.
“LaMarcus has been a monster all year long,” Popovich told Sam Amick of USA Today Sports. “He’s led our team at both ends of the floor. He doesn't complain about a darn thing out on the court. He just plays through everything. I can't imagine being more proud of a player as far as playing through adversity and being there for his teammates night after night after night. He’s been fantastic.”
There were many who wondered if those comments were taking shots at Kawhi Leonard who has been away from the team dealing with an injury that team doctors had cleared him from months ago,
Pop had some major praise for LaMarcus Aldridge Monday night. @Rachel__Nichols isn't convinced he wasn't talking about Kawhi Leonard too. pic.twitter.com/t1CNMHA1rp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 17, 2018
It was just last summer that people felt that Aldridge might be on his way out because he and Popovich couldn't seem to see eye to eye. They had a meeting to clear out their differences and he has been a key for the Spurs to stay afloat while Leonard has been out. Aldridge felt the talk cleared things up, and he was appreciative of Popovich's praise.
“The talk (with Popovich) was cool, but when I got back, and he saw how much work that I put in — camp time — that’s when he saw how much work that I put in to being ready to lead guys, and I came in with a different mindset,” Aldridge said after Game 2. “I thought he could see that I came in with the mindset of who I used to be, and I thought he welcomed that. He let me be myself, be vocal and lead, and I’ve been better ever since then.
“(The praise) means a lot coming from him, you know? Pop’s a shoot-you-straight-forward type guy. He’s not going to sugarcoat, and I think he’s been with me the whole way. He’s seen the process. He’s watched me grow in this system, in this organization, and try to do more, so I’m definitely not satisfied with tonight, but I’m going to keep trying to do my job and try to make guys better.”
With Leonard most likely being out for the playoffs and the Spurs playing a very tough Warriors team, they are going to need Aldridge to continue to put the team on his back and carry them as far as he can.
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