LaMarcus Aldridge Joins San Antonio Spurs

With all the drama surrounding his busy summer, LaMarcus Aldridge is now ready to buckle down to business and fit in with is new team, the San Antonio Spurs.

Being the most sought-after free agent in the NBA off season, Aldridge eventually landed in San Antonio. Aldridge agreed to a four-year deal worth $80 million, which in all underlies his actual reason – savor NBA gold.

Having spent most of his 10 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Aldridge finds himself in a somewhat new environment. But above anything else, it seems more about getting used to seeing a locker filled with NBA stars, who will of course someday be eventually Hall of Famers.

So is he being taken back and overwhelmed seeing Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker in the locker room? For now, the whole scenario of seeing him alongside these basketball greats hasn’t completely set in.

“I think I just think I’m visiting. Honestly, I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. I think guys (Spurs veterans) have been great, checking on me to make sure I’m getting everything” says Aldridge when interviewed on the third day of training camp.

Apparently his change in zip codes doesn’t come much of an adjustment considering he did hail from Austin, Texas. So in a way, it does all seem like a period of adjustment as far as carrying out his profession. But in all, the important task at hand for Aldridge is to blend in with the team and get accustomed to the highly-feted coaching style of Greg Popovich.

“It’s what I thought it was going to be,” Aldridge said, referring to Gregg Popovich’s coaching. “He’s very detailed. I think he’s trying to reprogram me and our new guys and he’s trying to tweak some things with the older guys.

It may of course take time for Aldridge to adjust to his new role and new team but the sooner that happens would be better. In fact once he settles in, Spurs fans stand to benefit as it brings them closer to reality of possibly another NBA title in the midst.

The Spurs have of course become heavy favorites in the NBA Western Conference with the coming of Aldridge. Such was made even sweeter with the entry of David West, who agreed to join the club on a minimum NBA salary deal.

Given some time, the Spurs are looking good. But like any other team, it may take a period of adjustment before their true power comes out.

And considering that they have a fully loaded conference starring pretty talented teams as well, it will be interesting to see how Aldridge and the Spurs fare against them.

Among their stiffest rivals include the defending champion Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets. Can the Spurs weather the Western Conference storm?