No one wants to sit through an injury, let alone get hurt. Players are out there competing every night trying to get their team to a place they’ve never been to before. That’s the goal of a professional athlete: winning as much as you can.
So when LaMarcus Aldridge received the news that he would have to sit for 6-8 weeks in order to recover from surgery that would repair the radial collateral ligament in his left thumb, he obviously wasn’t pleased because he decided to delay the operation in order to join his Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night against the Washington Wizards.
Aldridge did speak before the game as if there may be a point where he has to shut it down, but for now he’s going to give it everything he has to be out there for his team.
“I’ll just play until it’s intolerable. Tonight, I thought it was tolerable,” Aldridge told USA TODAY Sports.
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From my perspective, I love the competitiveness that is oozing out of Aldridge right now. No one should want to be on the sidelines in a suit while his brothers are lacing up their shoes to go into battle against the world’s greatest players in the NBA. That is truly a daunting task, so it makes sense that he feels like his team needs him, especially as they try to make a push in the ever-so-tough Western Conference.
The Trail Blazers currently sit in second place in the West with a 32-13 record overall, one that leads their division as well. Portland has put together an impressive season thus far despite the fact that they have navigated through one of the easiest schedules the league has had to offer.
Nevertheless, Aldridge has meant a great deal to Portland’s success, as he is averaging 23.3 points per game on 46 percent shooting from the field to go along with 10.2 rebounds per game. Aldridge is averaging a double-double in one of the toughest conferences the NBA has ever seen, which is remarkable given that he isn’t exactly an inside talent.
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Aldridge spends a lot of his time on the perimeter so to speak, as most of his scoring attempts come from the midrange, and even some from behind the three-point line. Aldridge is primarily a pick-and-pop shooter, which spreads the floor nicely for the Trail Blazers and gives more room for Damian Lillard to do his thing, setting up inside man Robin Lopez and slashers Nicholas Batum and Wesley Matthews.
Aldridge’s scoring ability along with his rim protection, something that he has improved coming into this season, have contributed greatly to the Trail Blazers’ winning record, so losing him could be a little bit of a devastating blow if they want to be in the top half of the Western Conference when all is said and done.
With all of that begin said, I actually think it would be wise of Aldridge to take his time coming back.
Aldridge’s long-term health is more important than any short-term goal Portland has for this season. If the Trail Blazers want to contend for years down the road, they need a healthy Aldridge to do so. Without him, this team wouldn’t be near where it is today. If he continues to play through this injury, his thumb could become much worse and he may be lost for the postseason.
Barring any setbacks, this is a team that could make some noise and generate some buzz in the playoffs, but if Aldridge can’t suit up, then forget about it. The West is too deep for this team to win multiple playoff series without him.
Aldridge can’t afford to rush back just because they don’t want to fall a little down the conference standings. This team still has enough firepower to squeak out some regular season games. The postseason is what matters more for this team, and Aldridge should recognize that, despite how much he wants to be out there on the court.
Get your rest Aldridge. No one wants to see you sitting when your team needs you the most.
*Statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.