In the first Portland Trail Blazers game I ever had the privilege of attending live, I saw LaMarcus Aldridge score 38 points and snag 13 rebounds. The team had been trailing at the half but sparked by Aldridge’s spectacular performance, went on to win dramatically against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was the greatest athletic performance I’ve ever witnessed. I own two Blazers jerseys, and they both say Aldridge across the back.
To say I was devastated when he went to the San Antonio Spurs during the offseason would be putting it lightly. It’s difficult for me to remember a Blazers team without Aldridge as I fell in love with basketball during his time with the team, and from the moment I heard the news, I was worried I would somehow feel differently about the Blazers this season. On Wednesday, he will return to the Moda Center, wearing a different jersey, and it took me a while to figure out how I should feel about that.
In a July 20 interview with ESPN radio, Aldridge spoke about how he expected to be treated upon returning to Portland as a member of the Spurs. He said, “I think going back my first time might be boos because I think people are really hurt by my decision because they don’t understand why I left. I think my first time back I probably will be booed.”
I loved LaMarcus Aldridge, but I loved him as part of a Portland team that was finally figuring out how to play together, a Portland team that people wanted to cheer for again. I am first and foremost a Blazers fan, and as such, I am no stranger to booing the Spurs. I was on the front lines of booing in the 2014 playoffs. But when they Spurs take the court Wednesday, you’ll hear no boos from me.
Before Blazers fans boo Aldridge, let’s think about the nine seasons of outstanding basketball he played for us. In that same interview, he talked about the love he has for Rip City saying, “Portland holds a spot in my heart that can’t be changed because the memories will last forever. I think that city embraced me and I embraced them and we grew together.” Can we really forget everything Aldridge gave us because he made the decision to leave?
The Blazers success and playoff berths in recent years have been due in large part to his on-court performance. Aldridge currently ranks first in all-time rebounds for the Blazers, and second only to Clyde Drexler in regular season points scored. Those are the kind of numbers that deserve our respect.
Aldridge has been quoted as saying he ultimately made the decision to go to San Antonio to be closer to his family, for a change of scenery. And while a four-year $80 million contract probably had something to do with the decision as well, I’m going to choose not to split hairs over something I can’t change. And I encourage other fans to do the same.
We aren’t the powerhouse team we were a year ago and the unwelcome term “rebuilding year” was thrown around a lot prior to the season opener, but this isn’t something we can blame on Aldridge or any of the other players that didn’t return after the last offseason. All we will accomplish by booing Aldridge is holding onto bitterness of the past. We’re a new team now, and we must look forward.
So Wednesday evening as Aldridge takes the court, let’s show him our appreciation for the time he spent here and our understanding of the choices he made. Let’s show him the respect he deserves from Rip City.
The Blazers and the Spurs will face off at Moda Center, tipping off at 7:30 PST with television coverage on KGW8.
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