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Are The Los Angeles Lakers A Landing Spot For LaMarcus Aldridge?

By Jackson Sanders

Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) warms up prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Western Conference forward LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers (12) addresses the media during practice at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Western Conference forward LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers (12) addresses the media during practice at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Good: More Media Attention Than LaMarcus Aldridge Has Ever Had

Regardless of what perspective you take on LaMarcus Aldridge in respect to his place in the national hierarchy of NBA studs, it is undeniable his star would rise in a media market like Los Angeles.

Need evidence? Nick Young, a career 12.3 points per game scorer, rose to semi-stardom despite being little but an above-average scorer and a good quote. In a similar market, former New York Knick and 2014-15 Laker Jeremy Lin was the centerpiece of the most surprising media phenomenon in recent memory.

If either of these players substitute their stints in major media markets for trips to say, Milwaukee or Memphis, do they become notable players the same way that they are now? Does “Swaggy P” ever become a thing? Does the country ever get wrapped up in “Linsanity”?

It’s an interesting question, albeit one that doesn’t have a definitive answer.

The purpose of asking is to illustrate the potential star-building power of playing for a notable franchise in a major market. If role players like Young and Lin can be media forces, it’s not hard to imagine the uptick in popularity LaMarcus Aldridge would have if he was dropping 46 points and 18 rebounds for the Lakers in a playoff game.

Entering the 2014-15 season the Portland Trail Blazers, considered an up-and-coming playoff threat, were slated to appear on national television 23 times. The Los Angeles Lakers, coming off of a franchise-worst season, were scheduled to play in prime-time 28 times; among the most scheduled appearances in the NBA.

The team is recognizable on a national scale, and it wins the ratings battle in Los Angeles, despite sharing the town with a (currently) more successful team. Add in a performer like LaMarcus Aldridge, and those numbers should only rise.

If media recognition is something that entices Aldridge, jumping to a team with pull like the Los Angeles Lakers is a fantastic career move. He would instantly be the team’s best player, and would get to reap the benefits of the media’s fixation on the franchise.

Next: Everybody Loves A Winner

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