LA all day.
When LaMarcus Aldridge came across The Alamo’s Riverwalk to San Antonio as Spur icon Tim Duncan was calling it a day, it felt like a passing of the torch. Akin to when Duncan’s twin-tower tandem teammate The Admiral, David Robinson left port. It was just that big a move for the formidable franchises legacy of seven-footers that was set to rival that of the history of their Hollywood foe, the Los Angeles Lakers. Just like how the pair of perfect paint powers, TD and D-Rob used to give Shaq stress.
Number 12 felt that much of a reflection of 21 (a number Aldridge wore in the BK). Quite like how that storied squad and many of its faces in history are still so underrated.
It was good enough for LA to leave the PDX and the dynamic duo potential of his blazing one/two punch with ‘Dame Time’ Lillard in Portland. One in Rip City that could have given everyone else roses on their way to their first championship since Bill Walton put all the flames of his red hair in a hipster bandana.
Even lately the latest bought out big to join the huge three of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving out in Brooklyn like Blake Griffin was ready to give opposing teams with hopes of being King nightmares on the regular, like his turn-around jumper.
But just like that it’s over for the 7 time All-star with totals of 19,957 points and 8,478 career rebounds. Good for five times All NBA like one of the greatest of this generation.
“You never know when something will come to an end, so make sure you enjoy it everyday. I can truly say I did just that.”
This morning we woke up to LaMarcus’ announcement that he was retiring from the NBA due to a health scare. The star big suffers from an irregular heartbeat. One that could put him and his family at risk any minute he takes to the court from now on.
He tried once more for a go round with Brookyn, but the new Net can’t jeopardise his real life. Sure being one of the greatest big-men of all-time is good, but being a Dad and husband is so much more. And this family man plans on sticking around for his. For a long time.
The game will miss him, but it’s far, far more important that his family has him.
“For 15 years I’ve put basketball first,” The 35 year old wrote as he took to Twitter. “And now, it is time to put my health and family first.”
There’s more to life than sports.
Aldridge experienced the heartbeat during last weekends game in New York against the Los Angeles Lakers. His condition worsened and after consulting medical experts he decided the best move was to call it a career.
And what an illustrious one. When this guy became a free agent everyone wanted him.
In 2017 LaMarcus Aldridge was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome which causes a rapid heartbeat due to an extra electrical pathway between the upper and lower chambers of the heath. At this time, it can’t be confirmed if the two are connected.
We’ve lost a good one in this game, but it could have been so much worse. So let’s give thanks. We wish LaMarcus and the Aldridge family well. Thanks for the memories big fella. Enjoy your retirement with your loved ones.
You’ve earned it.
