Fansided

LaMarcus Aldridge returns to Portland

By Ashish Mathur

Oct 18, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over Detroit Pistons power forward Ersan Ilyasova (L) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over Detroit Pistons power forward Ersan Ilyasova (L) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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LaMarcus Aldridge returns to Portland as he faces his former team for the first time since leaving town. 

Although LaMarcus Aldridge will go down as one of the greatest Portland Trail Blazers of all-time, his return to town could be a bit hostile Wednesday night.

Aldridge and the Spurs travel to Portland to take on the Trailblazers and all the spotlight will be on Aldridge as he faces his former team for the first time since leaving them for the San Antonio Spurs. Aldridge played his first nine seasons in the league with Portland and had a fabulous run there. He’s second on the franchise’s all-time list in points scored (12,562), first in rebounds (5,434) and fourth in games played (648).

He was a fan favorite in his time there but odds are the Portland crowd won’t be friendly when he comes in wearing a Spurs uniform.

Aldridge is aware that the crowd will be booing him in his return.

"“You have got to see it for what it is,” he said. “I love those fans. I love that city. They were great to me, so some people are going to be hurt about the move I made. I understand it, so I’m not going to take it personal. I understand their loyalty to their team. That’s what they are supposed to do.”"

With Aldridge gone, the Trailblazers are now building their franchise around point guard Damien Lillard, who signed a five-year, $120 million contract in the offseason. Lillard is on a tear to start the season as he is averaging 27.5 points per game but hasn’t gotten much help from the rest of his teammates.

The Trailblazers are 4-4 entering Wednesday while the Spurs are 5-2. Aldridge’s transition to the Spurs has been a slow process so far even though the team is winning games. Through seven games he is averaging 15.1 points per game, after averaging a career high 23.4 with Portland last season.

Everyone expects his role to grow as the Spurs get closer to the playoffs though, as he is one of the best power forwards in the game and has a consistent mid-range shot that is near impossible to defend.

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