When Damian Lillard arrived in the NBA, the Trail Blazers were already considered to be just one step away from being a championship-caliber team. With Lillard’s arrival, many thought it was finally their time to win a title. But LaMarcus Aldridge left for Spurs and the dream was shattered.
When Dame Dolla appeared on Podcast 520, He recalled his early years in the league, playing alongside LaMarcus, and how much easier it made his life. Throughout the conversation, Dame revealed how the Blazers could have won an NBA title, if LA hadn’t left.
“If he never went to San Antonio, we would have won at least once already. Because I would have come out, but he was so good. Like, he was so good.”
Lillard described his first year with Alrdirdge. The pick-and-rolls he had with LA made it easier for him because defenders were rushing to defend him instead of covering Lillard.
“My freshman year, I started with a pull-up jumper to the elbow after a pick and roll. Literally, one-two-three dribbles to the elbow, pull-up every time. Because they were trying to come back at him.”
And it’s not just Aldridge who has added value to the Blazers team. Lillard He also spoke about his experience with the great Nicolas Batum at the time.
Batum was a standout three-point shooter. After Aldridge left, Batum also decided to leave the Blazers in 2015, sending the organization into rebuilding mode.
Aldridge’s only regret from his playing career
While the San Antonio Spurs were thrilled to have another big man to take over for Tim Duncan, Blazers nation was heartbroken over the departure of their All-Star forward, LaMarcus.
And after spending 16 years in the league, playing for 3 teams, Aldridge sat down for an exclusive interview. It was there that he revealed the one regret he had from his playing career.
“I wish I had worked harder to have a relationship with Dame.”
Although Lillard was only a rookie, he made an immediate impact on the Blazers’ offense right from the start. Winning the 2013 Rookie of the Year award, Lillard showed signs of greatness.
If Aldridge had considered staying in Portland, there was a good chance both stars would have brought the Blazers a title. Unfortunately, this will go down in history as one of the “What Could Have Been” stories if LA hadn’t moved to San Antonio and stayed to work with Lillard in Portland.
