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San Antonio Spurs: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 season opener

By Tyler Clerkin

SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 18: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs speaks to the media after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 18, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 18: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs speaks to the media after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 18, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images
Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. LaMarcus Aldridge looked great

Last season was a slow one for the former All-Star. He only averaged 17.3 points per game, which was the second-lowest average of his career. During the offseason, Aldridge and Gregg Popovich sat down and discussed his role with the team.

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Since then, Aldridge is showing that he is ready to get back to All-Star form. During the preseason, he averaged 18 points and five rebounds in roughly 26 minutes per game. In Wednesday’s season opener, he bumped those numbers up to 25 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists on 9-of-21 shooting.

Although Kawhi Leonard was out, it looked like the Spurs are going to be playing through Aldridge more this season.

Last season, Aldridge only had a usage rate of 24.5 percent. Wednesday night, that number shot up to 30.8 percent. It was obvious to see that they were looking at him to be their No. 1 option with Kawhi Leonard.

This is a huge year for Aldridge as he looks to prove why he signed that nice extension. If he stays as sharp as he has been, Spurs fans are in for a treat.

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