LaMarcus Aldridge Has Announced Retirement
After a remarkable 15-year career, Brooklyn Nets forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge is calling it quits. Following last Saturday’s game against the Lakers, Aldridge discovered he was playing with an irregular heartbeat. Today he came out with a statement on Twitter announcing his retirement.
Aldridge was most well-known for his tenure with the Portland Trail Blazers where he played from 2006-2015. From there he spent the next few years in San Antonio until he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets mid-season this year. In his career, LaMarcus averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks. Aldridge was a revolutionary player at the power forward position in the modern era of the NBA, and he always played with class and respect.
Would Aldridge Have Had The Chance To Win A Ring This Year?
One of the few things missing from the long list of accomplishments of Aldridge’s career was a championship ring. He narrowly missed his window in San Antonio as the Spurs won their last in 2014, the year prior to Aldridge’s arrival. It was looking like Aldridge was finally going to get his chance to at least play in the NBA finals this year with the Brooklyn Nets but his season and career were unfortunately cut short today. Aldridge only played five games as a Net.
The Nets currently sit one game behind the 76ers at the top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 37-18. There is no question that the Nets are championship contenders, despite the fact that Durant, Irving, and Harden have seldom appeared on the court all together at once this season. Some might even say that the Nets have been better off in the absence of Durant. LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin should be considered huge pieces of that puzzle as well. Regardless, Aldridge will go down in NBA history as one of the best players at his position throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Props to him on a great career and hopefully he can remain healthy after his retirement and fully recover from his irregular heartbeat.
