San Antonio Spurs power forward Lamarcus Aldridge met with head coach Gregg Popovich in the offseason regarding frustrations over his poor play last season and how to become a better fit in the team’s system. Aldridge revealed some details of his meeting with Popovich in an interview with Michael C. Wright of ESPN, saying he poured his heart out regarding his role with the team.
At first, Aldridge said Popovich was caught off guard about his move, adding that the coach did not notice that he was unhappy with his situation with the Spurs. “But once I said it, he was great about listening, and it was good from there. I felt like I wasn't really fitting into the system as best I could. I wasn't really helping like I felt I could,” said Aldridge.
Aldridge’s output dropped with Spurs
In his nine-year stint with the Blazers, 32-year-old Aldridge averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists. In his final year in Portland, Aldridge averaged career-best 23.4 points per game before he signed a four-year, $84 million deal with the Spurs in 2015.
However, Aldridge’s scoring dipped since he joined the Spurs, averaging just 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists since joining Popovich’s squad.
During last season’s Western Conference Finals, Spurs fans expected Aldridge to step up after Kawhi Leonard suffered an ankle injury. However, Aldridge was a disappointment, averaging just 15.5 points and 5.8 boards as the Spurs were swept by the Golden State Warriors. According to John Gambadoro of Sports 98.7, the Spurs tried to trade Aldridge before the NBA Draft for a top-five pick but there were no takers.
Popovich said Aldridge’s concern legitimate
According to Wright, Popovich said Aldridge’s concerns are legitimate, promising that his coaching staff will work with the power forward to help improve the situation and make him more productive in the coming season.
During their talk, Popovich and Aldridge discussed making the power forward more comfortable with the system and how to make the team better. “Now, we have got to help him a little bit more so that he is comfortable in his own space offensively, and I haven't done a very good job of that,” said Popovich. LaMarcus Aldridge, for his part, said the Spurs are planning to work the ball into the post more this season.
The Spurs need a strong season from Aldridge, a five-time All-Star, if they are to compete with the Warriors. The Spurs also need to keep up with the improvements made by the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, to their respective line-ups.