LaMarcus Aldridge has officially signed with the San Antonio Spurs. He will join Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard to chase yet another NBA championship. Aldridge left Portland, reluctantly, and now he is happy because of the transition. He claims the transition was easy because of the Spurs.
Michael Wright of ESPN explains more:
“When you’re making such a big decision, you’re never going to be 100 percent right away,” Aldridge said. “Leaving the organization I was at for nine years, where I’ve had roots and I’m embedded in their history — it is never easy to leave. There were moments I did waver because I was leaving and going to something new. Talking to R.C. more, talking to Pop more, those guys made me feel comfortable. They made it feel like home. They made me feel safe to take this leap of faith that so far I’ve been fine with.”
He also continued to poke fun at Popovich, and explain how his first encounter was:
“You’ve seen the TNT interviews, right?” Aldridge joked Friday during his introductory news conference. “He was like that but a little bit nicer. Pop isn’t going to tell you sweet stories or try to make up things. He’s a very honest person. He’s very caring, but he’s not going to sweet-talk you. That came across clear in the meeting. He had good things to say, but our meeting wasn’t an hour of him just sweet-talking me. It was basically just talking basketball, and that was awesome.”
With LaMarcus Aldridge as a Spur, the Spurs become the favourites for the Championship next year in my opinion. It’s like a team with just Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard was enough. They added LaMarcus Aldridge, David West, and re-signed Manu Ginobli and Danny Green. Add Patty Mills and that is their rotation. The Warriors and Cavaliers have a new competitor.
