Nets’ LaMarcus Aldridge Still Adapting to New Bench Role: ‘It’s Hard’

Seven months ago, LaMarcus Aldridge his thoughts NBA career is over. In fact, it was a short one, as he announced his retirement in April due to an irregular heartbeat. But after consulting with doctors during the off-season, Aldridge was given all clarity to return to basketball and sign with brooklyn network.

Aldridge joined the Nets because he wanted to fight for the championship for the first time in his career. But while the Nets’ depth of talent has made them one of the favorites to win it all, it also forced Aldridge to come on from the bench – an adjustment he still has. trying to find out.

“It’s very difficult. You’ve been a certain type of player or a certain type of player your whole career. Coming on from the bench and not playing a lot is definitely different.” Aldridge spoke over New York Post. “So it’s been tough. … I’m still trying to figure it out and navigate it and figure out where I am. And I’m just trying to figure out how to try and help.

“It’s an ongoing battle,” Aldridge continued. “It’s not, you fix it and you’re done. You still have those moments where sometimes it’s still hard not being out there and sometimes it’s still hard not to start. But I came back to win and I want to be here and try to take it all in. So if that’s my role, then it is.”

Since he entered the starting lineup as a rookie with Portland Trail Blazers, by the time he was brought on from the bench in the middle of last season with San Antonio Spurs, Aldridge started 1,045 consecutive games between the regular season and the knockout stages.

It was an unbelievable streak spanning 15 seasons and two teams. And when you’ve been in a habit for more than a decade, it’s not easy to suddenly switch to something else. Especially when you are also facing a comeback from a scary health situation.

But while Aldridge may not yet feel fully comfortable in his new role, you’ll never know from the way he plays. He was amazing coming on from the bench, scoring 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, while shooting 57.7% from the field and 39.1% from 3 points. Among the players on the bench, he is in the top 10 for goalscoring, rebounding and blocking. If the Nets can get this kind of production from Aldridge over the course of the season, that would give them a huge boost in terms of their title chances.