LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Dwight Howard
Many Trail Blazers fans probably remember the 2006 NBA Draft as if it happened yesterday. Portland came away with a bag of goodies, including now second-year Trail Blazer Joel Freeland, NBA Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy and two-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge. Now, if you can believe it, Portland’s bruising power forward enters his eighth season in the red and black. Only 12 active NBA players have spent more time with their current teams. And for Aldridge, it has been time well spent. In his 508 games entering the 2013-14 season, which rank outside the team’s all-time top 10, Aldridge has shot up to seventh in scoring, sixth in rebounding and eighth in blocked shots. His counterpart in the post on this night is much less familiar with donning a red uniform. But just because Dwight Howard is new to his team, it doesn’t mean the Rockets don’t know what they’re getting from the prized big man. Now almost a decade into his career, Howard is chasing some NBA record numbers. On his current pace, the new Rockets center is five seasons away from being among the top-10 rebounders and shot blockers in NBA history. He has also appeared in seven straight All-Star Games, the fifth-longest active streak in the league behind only Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
LaMarcus Aldridge
• In his eighth season with the Trail Blazers, which is tied for the 13th longest active streak for an NBA player with one team
• Ranks seventh on Portland’s all-time list for points scored, sixth in rebounds and eighth in blocked shots
• One of 11 multi-time NBA All-Stars in Trail Blazers history
Dwight Howard
• Playing in his 10th NBA season and first with the Rockets in 2013-14
• Among active NBA players, ranks second in field goal percentage, and sixth in both rebounds and blocked shots
• His seven consecutive All-Star Game nominations are fifth most among active players (Bosh, Bryant, James, Wade)
What 2 Watch 4 - Trail Blazers Vs. Rockets
