From 2012-2015, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge had been the face of the Portland Path Blazers franchise. For less than three season collectively, they turned a dynamic duo of the NBA.
In Lillard’s first season, he earned the Rookie of the 12 months honors whereas Aldridge was within the early levels of a five-year All-Star run. The Path Blazers went 33-49 that yr and missed the playoffs, however the subsequent two years noticed huge enhancements.
In 2013-2014 season, the Path Blazers went 54-28, and made it to the playoffs. Sadly, they confronted a championship certain San Antonio Spurs within the Western Convention Semifinals and had been despatched house after a gents’s sweep.
On Season 2, Episode 93 of Membership 520, hosts Jeff Teague and DJ Wells talked to Lillard about his huge profession masking Dame Time and his huge tales — “the shot” towards Paul George, enjoying alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, battling towards Russell Westbrook, going through Steph Curry, and making the NBA High 75 All-Time checklist.
On the 17:30, Lillard shared:
“If he would have by no means went to San Antonio, we might have received no less than as soon as already. I might have come into my very own, however he was that good.”
LaMarcus was one of many prime free brokers going into the summer time of 2015. And along with his ties to Texas and household on his thoughts, he selected the San Antonio Spurs who had solely a yr earlier than received an NBA title.
Aldridge appeared to be a pure transition to Tim Duncan because the Spurs legend appeared towards retirement. LMA had the makings of constructing a brand new Massive 3 with Kawhi Leonard because the latter had racked up DPOY and Finals MVP.
For Dame it’s going to stay a “what may have been.”
For the Spurs, it was a “by no means fairly was.” Not due to Aldridge, however the quadriceps damage to Leonard restricted the duo’s court docket time and the drama that ensued shortened The Klaw’s time on the roster.
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