LaMarcus Aldridge

Now entering his 8th season in the NBA, LaMarcus Aldridge is finally getting the recognition he deserves

The NBA All-Star game isn't for another few months, but that hasn't stopped the league from releasing the voting leaders in each conference.  In the East, LeBron James leads the Eastern Conference in votes, while Kevin Durant leads the Western Conference.  No surprise considering they're both the best and most popular players in the game arguably/currently.  What's surprising though, is that LaMarcus Aldridge, one of the top players in the NBA this year (and quietly over the past few years) is 8th in voting and 3rd in the power forward race behind Kevin Love and Blake Griffin.  I can understand why that is since they're both accomplished, and talented, but so is L-Marc.  And it's time the league recognize he is one of the best power forwards in the game.

The first time I was exposed to LaMarcus Aldridge was when he played for Texas back in college.  That was such a long time ago, but I remember those as better times since I was in love with college basketball back then.  Since I live in Boston, which isn't a huge college basketball town, it was hard to follow L-Marc, but whenever he was on TV or playing in the tournament, I watched with envy, wishing the Boston Celtics would draft him (or anyone that could make them better).  He ended up being drafted by the Chicago Bulls, which drew criticism because he was taken so high,  and was then traded to the Portland Trailblazers for basically nothing.  It took a few years for L-Marc to develop his game since he was so lean and just had a few moves, but after a few years, his hard work showed.  His jump shot improved, his post moves got better, and he got bigger.  His defense and rebounding were always his weakest attributes, but even they improved by his 5th year.  Now in his 8th year, it's safe to say he is entering his prime, as he has lead the Trailblazers to the best record in the West.  It's premature to think they can stay there all year, but just the fact they've surprised this many people shows how many people doubted them.

With L-Marc's play this year being this spectacular (30-20 stat-lines some nights), I'm annoyed that even though he has more recognition than usual, he's still behind people like Kevin Love and Blake Griffin in all-star votes.  Kevin Love, I will give you, is a better player, but Blake Griffin is not.  Even though he is having his best statistical year (finally), all he does is dunk.  He has not carried his team like L-Marc has.  Yes, L-Marc has Damian Lillard, but Blake has CP3, who last I checked, was the best point guard in the game.  I know that the all-star spots are up to the fans, and they should be allowed to vote for who they want to see, but I wish they would reward someone who works their tail off, plays in a small market, and is a humble/quiet superstar, who leads by example.  L-Marc will probably be a reserve, which is a great honor in itself, but if he started, he would be on prime time, and people would finally start giving the Trailblazers the recognition and respect they deserve.

I know I'm one voice, and I can't make up the thousands of votes that others have in front of him, but let's acknowledge and throw our support to LaMarcus Aldridge, one of the best and most underrated power forwards in the game today, who plays not only fundamental basketball, but most importantly, team basketball.  The Trailblazers may be a long-shot to win the NBA title, but if they do, LaMarcus Aldridge will be one of the reasons why.