Aldridge back to business beyond arc

TUALATIN, Ore. — LaMarcus Aldridge is back to playing within his comfort zone.

The Portland Trail Blazers forward wrapped up Thursday’s practice by shooting 3-pointers at various stations around the arc — part of a renewed focus on his face-up game that takes advantage of the 6-foot-11 forward’s shooting skills.

He has improved his ball handling in the offseason, expanded his shooting range and open court skills in anticipation of a season in which much of his offense will once again be generated away from the basket.

But he also appreciates the year he spent out of his comfort zone last season, holding down the low post while center Greg Oden was recovering from microfracture knee surgery.

It forced Aldridge to expand his skill set by developing his raw back-to-the-basket game, learning how to check and pass out of double teams, and how to balance his polished jump shot with his low-post offense.

“Last year was great for me. I didn’t want Greg to go down, but it was a great opportunity for me to build my brand and to show people I can play,” Aldridge said. “I can handle more pressure. I can handle double teams because of last year.”

The year sped Aldridge’s development so much that Blazers assistant coach Maurice Lucas calls the season “a blessing.”

Throughout his rookie season — and much of last year — Aldridge relied heavily on his mid-range jump shot to score, often turning it into the only dimension of his offensive game. And even when the Blazers needed Aldridge to establish their low-post offense last season, he regularly stepped away from the basket to shoot, leaving the Blazers without a reliable threat inside.

Eventually Blazers coaches had to pressure Aldridge to commit to his post game. And when he finally did after the All-Star break, a more diverse player emerged. He picked easy put-back baskets that he was previously out of position to grab, was quicker to pass out of double teams and catch defenses out of position, and more comfortable when the game turned physical.

“It allowed him to expand as a player,” Lucas said. “This year, we expect him to expand even more.”

And with Oden now securing the low post, that expansion will come through a blending of his mid-range and low-post skill sets to take advantage of a defender’s weakness.

If the opponent is weak on pick-and-rolls, Aldridge can come outside to set screens and bury his feathery 18-footer. And if it’s a smaller player that Aldridge can physically dominate, McMillan said he can send Aldridge inside for easy baskets.

He will be free to use his versatility and diverse skill set to his advantage, rather than playing primarily to the weaker side of his game. And now that he can return to his comfort zone away from the basket, while feeling more confident inside, Aldridge believes he will be more effective.

“I should be more efficient,” Aldridge said. “I should be better this year.”