After spending much of the off-season and early summer months trying to escape Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge reportedly wants to make it home permanently.
As is the case in any sport, winning trumps all, and can even help persuade someone that they are in a really good situation.
According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, Aldridge is reportedly open to signing a long-term extension with the Blazers, something that seemed like a long-shot eight months ago.
Back in Portland, the tale of Aldridge’s day-to-day happiness is big news. Here, in a quaint gym on the campus of Baruch College, it was the last thing on his mind — or anyone else’s.
But the reality is, Aldridge now openly discussing his desire to entertain a contract extension with the Trail Blazers should be big news. That’s because getting Aldridge to a place where he is surrounded by winning talent, with an organization that is well positioned to sustain its surprising success, was a monumental achievement.
“As a player I feel like I have a good mind-set about this, just making sure that I’m not taken for granted and making sure that we’re in a good place,” Aldridge told CBSSports.com on Tuesday after the Blazers practiced in Manhattan to prepare for Wednesday night’s game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Aldridge will make his third All-Star appearance later this month in New Orleans.