PORTLAND — For both sides of this drama, Wednesday night promises to be a bizarre, emotional exercise.
For the first time in nearly 10 years, LaMarcus Aldridge will be dressing in the visitors locker room at the Moda Center. When he catches the ball on the left block, the foundation on which the most recent era of successful Blazers basketball was built, he’ll be the target of boos from the crowd.
“It’s weird,” Aldridge said, something which he repeated several times after the Spurs’ Wednesday shoot around at the Moda Center. “I’ve never came in as a visitor before. I’ve never been in the visitor locker room. It’s difficult.”
Aldridge and Blazers get to rip the band-aid early in the season, but none of that matters now.
“It’s going to be an emotional game either way,” Aldridge said.
Aldridge left the Blazers in free-agency after nine years with the team, opting to chase titles in San Antonio alongside his childhood idol Tim Duncan.
The four-time All-Star was asked if a cold reception from the fans who used to chant “M-V-P” for him at the free-throw line will sting.
“Of course, I’ve had so much history here,” Aldridge said. “I have so much love for the city and that will never change. It will (hurt), but that will be okay.”
He’s been anticipating the boos, but is hopeful that fans won’t be too harsh.
“It’s going to be mixed,” Aldridge said of the reaction.”I definitely feel like there will be some boos, some cheers. Probably 50-50. Hopefully not 60-40, but we’ll see tonight.”
Multiple times after the shoot around, Aldridge professed his love for the city of Portland where he spent his 20’s.
“I love this city,” Aldridge said. “I love the fans. I grew up here. I developed here as a player, as a man. I love this city. And that won’t change. And I thank all of the fans that still love me.”
Aldridge was also asked about his proclamation during the summer of 2014 that he intended to re-sign with the Blazers in 2015 and be “the best Blazer ever.”
“I’m not going to get into all of that,” Aldridge said. “What’s done is done. I feel like both sides kind of have what they want and now I’m here.”
When pressured about it again, Aldridge demurred.
“They’ve moved on. I’ve moved on. It doesn’t matter,” Aldridge said.
Aldridge was however more eager to talk about his new role as part of the Spurs’ championship-level arsenal.
“Offensively we have so many talented guys, I’m not needed as I was here,” Aldridge said. “It’s a process trying to stay in the moment and into it. I’m not needed as much at times. But that’s fine.”
Aldridge thinks he’s turning a corner with regards to how he fits in the Spurs attack.
“It’s a process, I’ve definitely gotten better at it the last few games,” Aldridge said. “But the first couple of games it was tough because I was used to touching the ball a lot, always touching it. I think the first few games were tough. I definitely got better at it.”
Aldridge is enjoying what the move to his native Texas has given him off the court, too.
“I’ve seen my kids more already,” Aldridge said. “I’ve been to soccer games and flag football games. That’s what’s been the biggest benefit so far.”
