Media Day Reactions: LaMarcus Aldridge

Arms crossed, staring straight ahead, typical monotone in full effect, LaMarcus Aldridge answered questions patiently, but with the least enthusiasm any Trail Blazer at Moday’s media day. For a player who has taken criticism throughout his career for being too nice, Aldridge was surprisingly tepid for what is generally one of the more optimistic events of the season.

It’s possible I’ve mistaken unenthusiastic with “realistic” or even “measured,” but those adjectives aren’t what media day is about. Coach Terry Stotts and GM Neil Olshey did their respective parts to energize the room—even Nolan Smith cracked a joke and a smile for the first time since leaving Durham. But the player coming off of a well-deserved All-Star season seemed perfectly content to keep the expectations reasonable. 
Illustration by Maddison Bond
The good news for Trail Blazer fans is that while Aldridge’s heart might not have been at the Rose Garden this afternoon, it has been spending time in Tualatin for the past month. LaMarcus organized the voluntary scrimmages players have been attending at the Blazers practice facility. By all accounts, that time on the court has been competitive and helpful for the squad full of strangers to get to know one another. Nic Batum even quipped that he walked into the facility and “didn’t know anyone.”

Aldridge is in the unenviable position of entering his prime with a work-in-progress roster around him. When asked about the retooling process Olshey said: “Nic’s excited, LaMarcus is on board, and Wes is excited.”

Maybe Neil could add LaMarcus to the list of “excited” if he didn’t have to answer so many questions about the state of the Blazers and could focus more on how Coach Stott’s offense is going to put LaMarcus in the position to play the type of game that’s fun for him. It was in responding to the questions about the game rather than the roster that Aldridge perked up and offered some emotion in his reply. He cracked his first smile when mentioning that his first true game-winner came from the elbow, and he was excited to see what Coach Stotts’ offense can do to open up his game.

The success of this season (however we choose to define it) will depend on Aldridge’s ability to lead the squad through a turbulent season and come out a better team in April. Perhaps it was that realization that restrained his responses this afternoon.

Comments

[Vegasblazer]

Some times we stumble across information that we decide for some reason or another is not appropriate to discuss at this particular time. I believe this is one those moments. So what Lamarcus was lackluster regarding some of the early questions. He is about to embark on one of his biggest moments in his basketball career. He is hands down the man on this team. The only all star on the team. It is his job to set the tone for whats about to happen. With that said, I like quiet composure. I hope that spreads to the rest of team and builds into something positive. I ask this, since you are writing about Blazer basketball, can you give us something interesting? Tell us how many Left handed hook shots Lamarcus shot this summer or how Nick has worked on his ball handling, or how JJ decides to be a better defender. LA sitting with his arms crossed is just amateur. Don't be Jim Gray,

[seblaze]

I always liked LAs even keeled demeanor. Either way I am totally digging the art it's wicked.