LaMarcus Aldridge Suddenly Retires From the NBA

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LaMarcus Aldridge has called it a career in the NBA.

(PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Hunger/AP.)

This is truly sad. And also terrifying.

LaMarcus Aldridge, who had been with the NBA since 2006, has abruptly retired from the NBA. The entire explanation is right here.

Aldridge was part of a star-studded group in Brooklyn. And after one scary episode, LaMarcus is out just like that. It just goes to show that life can take away something from you in a quick moment.

And, yes, Aldridge is… “outdated.” He was one of the few midrange practitioners left in the league as the NBA has moved on to being more “efficient” with three-pointers and lay-ups/dunks. But even Aldridge moved behind the line; he was actually shooting .388 from behind the arc this season in 3.1 attempts per game.

Aldridge did have an excellent career. He was a 7-time NBA all-star as well as a 5-time all-NBA player; as recently as 2017-18, he made the All-NBA 2nd team. He was Portland‘s leading man for many years before becoming part of the Spurs, where he helped San Antonio get to 67 wins in his debut season in 2016. Then in 2017, they were whooping Golden State before Kawhi Leonard‘s unfortunate injury. With Leonard out (and eventually leaving), he became the man once again. Earlier this season, the Spurs decided to release Aldridge as the Spurs focused on their younger talent. The Nets picked him up for the stretch run before the irregular heartbeat happened.

It’s really bad timing for Aldridge but health definitely comes first. No one can do any of these things when a person’s health isn’t great. All I can really say is that LaMarcus stays healthy and has a long, prosperous life. Something like this can’t be messed with and we’re glad that the Nets caught it before something disastrous happened.

All hail LaMarcus Aldridge.

Bullet Passes

So, uh, Stephen Curry went for another 42 points in their blowout win over Oklahoma City.

In his last 8 games, he’s averaging 38.9 points per game.

Life goes on without Jamal Murray. The Nuggets took care of business against Miami. Michael Porter, Jr. poured in 25 points to lead the team in scoring. He might become the #2 guy for them now.

Nikola Vucevic went for 29 and 11 against his former team but the Bulls lost.

Funny. The Bulls are 3-8 since they acquired Vucevic. It’s not supposed to go this way.

Joel Embiid went for 39 points and 13 boards against the Nets. Brooklyn did sit Kevin Durant down and it’s clear that they want to be healthy going into the postseason.

Also, I will never understand how Embiid’s slow pump fake gets players to jump.

Reggie Jackson got enough open space to drain this go-ahead bucket.