by Sam Stern
The unmistakable form needed for players to master a jump, translates into an art form that is rare for a power forward to embody. The Fadeaway jump shot is one that is strictly unguardable. Dirk Nowitzki has been known as one of the best big man shooters and post up scorers since he came into the league at the age of nineteen.
Now there is another player who has drawn attention from every team in the league. There are three words to describe his undeniably special skill. Pure. Smooth. Unguardable. LaMarcus Aldridge is a 6’11’’ giant who can post up any player in the league, and score with ease. He entered the NBA in 2006 raring to be one of the best big men in the history of the game; keep in mind, he entered the league at a time where players like Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and Nowitzki were ruling the big man category.
Aldridge was drafted by the Bulls on draft night and was immediately traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. While scoring for the Blazers, he was easily playing some of the most powerful and dominating basketball the city of Portland had ever seen. During his stint with the team, he had the honor of playing with players like Dame Dolla Lillard, Nicolas Batum, and Wesley Matthews. At the end of the 2014 season, LA decided he was ready for a change, and decided that the Alamo City was going to be the next city he would hopefully make a run for the champion.
He joined the Spurs in 2015 signing a lucrative contract that would give the Spurs another Superstar to pair with their own Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard. This move would lead to the removal of championship caliber players such as: former starting center Tiago Splitter, Marco Belinelli, Cory Joseph, and Aron Baynes.
During the first season of LA’s career with the Spurs, he worked alongside the Big Fundamental, whose career was coming to an end. After the 2015 season, it was time for Aldridge to hold down the fort as the new face of their front court. He and the Spurs had a great 2016 season without Timmy D, but one player had a tough time during the last stages of the regular season, into the crucial playoffs. Aldridge lost his momentum and could not find his patented turnaround fadeaway. Kawhi ended up exiting the NBA playoffs with a devastating ankle injury that would start a lot of controversy around current Warriors center Zaza Pachulia’s intent. LaMarcus was immediately the next player up on the roster, and needed to put up Klaw like numbers if they were going to make any type of championship run. They ended up being swept in the 2017 western conference finals by the Golden State Warriors, and the story was LaMarcus Aldridge, and his rough shooting series. This provided a huge relationship flaw that would have Spurs fans worried all over the country about a potential trade. Hmmmm…that sure does sound familiar if you have been watching the Spurs season thus far.
Back to Aldridge, he and Gregg Popovich had a very calm and positive conversation over the summer that would have Aldridge leaning toward staying in San Antonio. This meeting was used for Gregg Popovich to show Aldridge that he wanted him to play his style of basketball. Well, that is exactly what Aldridge has done this season. He averaged 23 points per game, and shot a staggering 51% from the field. He has been nailing his fadeaways, probing his way inside to the hole, and leading his team as the highest scorer. With Kawhi Leonard only playing nine games this season, LaMarcus had to step up his game, and he did with an exclamation point!
Popovich was seen speaking on Aldridge’s behalf by saying that “LaMarcus has been a monster all year long. 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.” The Spurs have gone through plenty of adversity this season, and Aldridge never lost his offensive mojo. Brilliant. Skillful. Consistent. Through thick and thin, he never ceases to disappoint.