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Lamarcus Aldridge: ‘I want to be the best Blazer. Ever.’

By Trisity Miller

May 14, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs forward Boris Diaw (33) in game five of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 104-82. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs forward Boris Diaw (33) in game five of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 104-82. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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In hopes of finishing his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, Lamarcus Aldridge has a goal in mind that will resonates with fans of both he and the franchise: he wants to become the best Blazer of all-time.

Granted Aldridge is on the right track to become an All-Timer, he has both some work to do and some players to topple.

In his eight year career, Aldridge has been one of the best forwards in the NBA, averaging 18.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists since 2006. And amidst the bad luck Portland has suffered, often being home to many stars who were unable to fight off the injury bug (Brandon Roy, Greg Oden), Aldridge has remained a constant. Unfortunately, the big man has seen little success throughout his career.

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    • Appearing in the playoffs four times in eight years, Aldridge has made it out of the first round once (2014). Putting the teams playoff “failures” all on Aldridge is unfair and lacks context, but when you think of the best of the best, playoff success if often mentioned. But with Damian Lillard, Nic Batum, and others around him, arguably his best team in the last five years, more success could be on the way.

    And while his book isn’t anywhere near finished, those of Clyde Drexler and Bill Walton, the two unanimous best Blazers of all-time are. While Walton’s time with Portland was cut short due to injury, he was the driving force behind the ’77 Blazers winning a NBA championship. With Drexler, the story is a bit different. In 12 seasons as a Blazers, Drexler averaged 20/6/5, but failed to bring the franchise a championship, falling to the Detroit Pistons in the 1990 NBA Finals and the Chicago Bulls in 1992 NBA Finals.

    With the future looking bright for the Blazers, there’s a chance for Aldridge to accomplish his wish of becoming the best Portland has ever seen. But he’s got some work to do to get there.