7. LaMarcus Aldridge

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The Portland Trail Blazers have had some bad luck in previous NBA drafts, but they have had success with draft day trades. One such trade brought them LaMarcus Aldridge, the second overall pick from the Bulls, and it turned out to be a great move for them.

Aldridge quickly established himself as a star player in Portland, earning All-Rookie honors and becoming a starter in his second year. He was also a top contender for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. Aldridge's numbers continued to improve as he dominated in the paint, and by the 2010-11 season, he was one of the most well-rounded players in the league. He excelled at rebounding on both ends of the court, and his fadeaway jumper was a thing of beauty.

Although Aldridge did not make the All-Star Team in 2011, he did earn a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. He continued to put up similar numbers over the next few years and earned All-Star honors in each of those seasons. He was also named to the Third Team All-NBA in 2014 and the Second Team All-NBA in 2015, with MVP finishes of tenth and seventh, respectively. Despite his impressive achievements, Portland was not a championship contender, and Aldridge wanted more national recognition.

Aldridge eventually signed with the San Antonio Spurs and continued to be a top player. He earned All-Star honors three times and added more All-NBA accolades to his collection. He also finished in the top ten for MVP voting in 2017-18. However, Aldridge still wanted a title.

In the 2020-21 season, Aldridge was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, but his time with the team was short-lived due to an irregular heartbeat. Although he was eventually medically cleared to return, he played in only 21 more games before announcing his retirement. He was not the same player he had once been, and the Nets did not live up to the hype that came with their star-studded lineup of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.

Despite having Hall of Fame-worthy stats, Aldridge's name recognition never quite matched his talent.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Wednesday, 01 January 2025
  • Position: Center, Power Forward
  • Games Played: 1076
  • Per Game Averages: 33.7 MIN
    19.1 PTS
    8.1 RB
    1.9 AST
    0.7 STL
    0.1 BLK
    .493 FG%
    .320 3P%
    .813 FT%

    72 Playoff Games
    37.1 MIN
    20.8 PTS
    8.5 RB
    1.7 AST
    0.7 STL
    1.4 BLK
    .455 FG%
    .327 3P%
    .824 FT%
  • Advanced Stats: 20.7 PER
    .544 TS%
    115.6 WS
    33.4 VORP

    72 Playoff Games
    19.6 PER
    .516 TS%
    5.5  WS
    2.3 VORP
  • Played For: Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs
  • College: Texas
  • Drafted: 1st Round, 2nd Overall in 2006
  • Major Accolades and Awards: NBA Championships (None)
    All-NBA Second Team (2) (2015 & 2018)
    All-NBA Third Team (3) (2011, 2014 & 2016)
    All-Star (7) (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 & 2019)
    All-Rookie First Team (2007)
    Most Field Goals (1) (2014-15)
    Most 2-Point Field Goals (1) (2018-19)
    Most 2-Point Field Goals (4) (2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 & 2018-19)
    Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (1) (2006)
    First Team All-Big 12 (1) (2006)
    Big 12 All-Defensive (1) (2006)
  • Other Points of Note:
    Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    7th in 2015 & 9th in 2018
    Top Ten Finishes: Points (2) (2012-13 & 2014-15)

    Top Ten Finishes: Points per Game (5) (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 & 2017-18)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rebounds (1) (2013-14)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rebounds per Game (2) (2013-14 & 2014-15)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Rebounds (4) (2008-09, 2010-11, 2017-18 & 2018-19)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Rebounds per Game (2) (2010-11 & 2017-18)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Rebounds (2) (2013-14 & 2014-15)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Rebounds per Game (2) (2013-14 & 2014-15)
    Top Ten Finishes: Blocks per Game (1) (2019-20)
    Top Ten Finishes: Field Goals (7) (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2017-18 & 2018-19)
    Top Ten Finishes: Field Goals per Game (6) (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 & 2017-18)
    Top Ten Finishes: Field Goal Attempts (4) (2010-11, 2012-13, 2013-14 & 2014-15)
    Top Ten Finishes: Field Goal Attempts per Game (4) (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 & 2014-15)
    Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goals (9) (2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18 & 2018-19)
    Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goals per Game (8) (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18 & 2018-19)
    Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goal Attempts (8) (2008-09, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2017-18 & 2018-19)
    Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goal Attempts per Game (11) (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18 & 2018-19)
    Top Ten Finishes: Minutes Played (1) (2010-11)
    Top Ten Finishes: Minutes per Game (2) (2010-11 & 2012-13)
    Top Ten Finishes: PER (2) (2014-15 & 2017-18)
    Top Ten Finishes: Win Shares (1) (2017-18)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Win Shares (2) (2010-11 & 2017-18)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Win Shares (1) (2015-16)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Rating (1) (2015-16)
    Top Ten Finishes: Usage Percentage (2) (2013-14 & 2014-15)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Rebound Percentage (1) (2017-18)
  • Notable All-time Rankings: 32. 2-Point Field Goals: 8,084
    35. 2-Point Field Goal Attempts: 16,162
    42. Field Goals: 8,311
    45. Offensive Rebounds: 2,776
    46. Field Goal Attempts: 16,872
    51. Points: 20,558
    54. 2-Point Field Goals per Game: 7.5
    55. Defensive Rebounds: 5,960
    61. Offensive Win Shares: 72.9
    65. Win Shares: 115.7
    65. Field Goals per Game: 7.7
    68. PER: 20.7
    69. Rebounds: 8,736
    69. Blocks: 1,187
    74. Minutes Played: 36,242
    75. 2-Point Field Goal Attempts per Game: 15.0
    86. Usage Percentage: 25.7
    92. VORP: 33.4
    95. Defensive Win Shares: 42.8
    100. Points per Game: 19.1

Should La Marcus Aldridge be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 50%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 50%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
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