Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
LaMarcus Aldridge’s stint at San Antonio is about to come to an end.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Ford/USA Today.)
The San Antonio Spurs and LaMarcus Aldridge have mutually agreed to part ways. It was kind of out of nowhere and it seemed like there are already advanced talks when it comes to trading Aldridge. But is it really that much of a surprise?
The Spurs have gotten younger. We’re seeing a lot more of Dejounte Murray, Lonnie Walker, Jakob Poeltl, and Keldon Johnson this season. Aldridge, at 35, has become less mobile and more of a liability on defense. Yes, he’s shot more threes than he ever has in his career. But while the Spurs have improved, it’s become more evident that Aldridge doesn’t seem to fit in this team anymore. He’d be better off as someone coming off the bench for a title contender where he can likely still dominate second units. Much like Blake Griffin is going to be for the Nets.
It’s really too bad. LaMarcus was the rock for the Spurs in these lean years. The Kawhi Leonard injury in the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors really changed the trajectory of everything. They were poised to possibly upset the Dubs when that happened. We might even say that if that didn’t happen, Aldridge might have a ring and Leonard may still be in San Antonio. And the Spurs would still be that model franchise today.
Instead, the Spurs missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 1997. And Aldridge didn’t play in the bubble last summer, which probably helped the Spurs’ case on letting him go.
The San Antonio Spurs will move on. So will LaMarcus. Such is life in the NBA.
Bullet Passes
Only two games on Wednesday night. Jonas Valanciunas had himself a 29-20 game against the Wizards as the Grizz get their record back to over .500..
The Spurs, now knowing they won’t have Aldridge, lost to the Mavericks. DeMar DeRozan was not happy to be passed over for the All-Star Game so he let the game do his talking by getting 30 points, 11 assists, and 4 steals.
Luka Doncic got his 8th triple-double of the season with 22-12-12. The Mavs are starting to catch fire with their 4th straight win.
I write this on March 11, 2021. And it has been a year since the NBA stopped play… and, subsequently, the world stopped. I can’t believe it’s been that long. While not exactly recommended, the NBA has gone on to finish their 2019-20 season, put on an All-Star game, and continue on with the 2020-21 season. I do like that we have entertainment at home but I keep fearing for everyone’s safety.
NBA Scoreboard
Mar. 10, 2021
Watch This Play
Ja Morant surely made fools of Wizards here.
Double-hi for Ja Morant and then the silliness happens pic.twitter.com/pZqpqxYbKa
— Nekias Duncan (@NekiasNBA) March 11, 2021
Clever maneuver on the part of Ja Morant!
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.