Former Portland Trail Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge shocked the NBA world Thursday morning when he surprisingly announced his retirement from the league.
In a statement released on his Twitter account, Aldridge, 35, cited health reasons for his decision to retire from basketball. Aldridge said he dealt with an irregular heartbeat in his last game Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, and ultimately decided to retire in the best interest for his health and family.
Aldridge played just five games for the Brooklyn Nets after he was bought out by the San Antonio Spurs, but most will remember him for his time with the Blazers, where he spent nine seasons with the franchise and appeared in four All-Star games from 2006 to 2015.
When the Aldridge news hit social media, former teammates, current NBA stars and sports media across the country chimed in and reacted to the news:
“Health and family will always come before a game,” Blazers star Damian Lillard wrote on Instagram. “Amazing career bro! Prayers up! 💯 #Retire12 #WhatCouldHaveBeen #LTrain”
Former Blazers center Robin Lopez added: “Always remember the good times, particularly those at McLoughlin Auto Mall #RipCity”
From StatMuse: “LaMarcus Aldridge is one of only 25 players in NBA history with 19,000+ career points and 8,000+ career rebounds. A 7x All-Star and 5x All-NBA. Hell of a career.”
Former Blazers writer Kristian Winfield wrote on Twitter: “Sad news, man. Used to cover the Blazers for @ripcityproject (that feels like a lifetime ago). Was always fun to watch. Glad I got to cover him here. Get well soon.”
Added ESPN’s Zach Lowe: “7-time All-Star, retires with 19,951 career regular-season points. Anyone who has been a fan of the NBA for the last 15 years can close their eyes and see LA operating in his office on the left block. Enjoy that family time, stay healthy, will miss watching you play.”
“One of the toughest match ups I had to face,” Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic said. “Congratulations on an amazing career! Enjoy family time...”
Sixers shooting guard Danny Green wrote: “Legendary run my brother!”
Wizards star Bradley Beal congratulated Aldridge with: “Congrats LA! Midrange King. Enjoy your life fam!”
And Aldridge’s former Blazers teammate Nic Batum added: “It was an absolute honor to play with you my brother. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your family. Take care my brother #TheLtraaaaaaaiiiiiiiiin”
-- Aron Yohannes
ayohannes@oregonian.com; @aronyohannes
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April 16, 2021 at 12:54AM
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Blazers’ Damian Lillard, NBA world react to surprise retirement of LaMarcus Aldridge - OregonLive
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