San Antonio’s Glaring, Seven-Foot Problem
LaMarcus Aldridge is turning into the biggest disappointment in Texas big men since DeAndre Jordan ghosted Mark Cuban two seasons ago. Jordan was never
officially a Maverick, but Aldridge’s case is not that different: both committed; neither arrived.
Popovich’s practice of grooming newer stars allows his past-their-peak guys to age well in San Antonio. It’s why Tony Parker’s bumpy year mostly evaded criticism. That 61–21 record covers up a lot of problems — kind of like the basketball version of a magical anti-aging cream. Acquired at 29, LaMarcus was supposed to fit next to Kawhi to keep that system fluid.
Two years later, in Game 1, he finished with four points, six rebounds, and a minus-36.
Here’s bizarre: Ryan Anderson manhandling LaMarcus Aldridge in the post. Rather, Anderson frustrating the former star — yes, former — into being worse than absent. LaMarcus couldn’t hang with anyone on defense. When he guarded Harden on the perimeter, James would blaze past (which, to be fair, happens to most guys covering Harden), and he looked slow on every Rocket he switched onto. Aldridge couldn’t stop Capela when Harden choo-choo-train spoon-fed Clint baskets underneath; he couldn’t stop Patrick Beverley’s 3; he fell for fouling Anderson.
Aldridge looked far from the guy averaging 26 points in the 2014 postseason, just a year before the Spurs would scoop him. Still, he started the second half. A turnover, missed jumper, and rebound later, Pop yanked him for good.
