San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green with JC Baltazar, who won the KFC Bucket 3-Point Shootout on Saturday in one of the side events in the 2015 NBA 3X at Mall of Asia Music Hall. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Danny Green expects nothing less from his new teammate LaMarcus Aldridge, who picked the San Antonio Spurs over a handful of other suitors during free agency this offseason.
“I expect him (Aldridge) to do what he does,” Green told reporters Saturday during the NBA 3X at Mall of Asia Arena Music Hall. “He’s an All Star.”
Aldridge, a four-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA team member with his former team the Portland Trail Blazers, was the most coveted free agent in the market and his addition makes the Spurs an automatic favorite to win the championship.
The 6-foot-11 Aldridge is the fitting successor of future Hall-of-Famer Tim Duncan as the Spurs’ cornerstone along with 2014 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker.
Though, still going strong at 39, it’s only a matter of time before Duncan decides to retire as arguably the greatest power forward ever having won five championships so far and reached several milestones throughout his long career.
The 30-year-old Aldridge definitely has big shoes to fill but he certainly has the tools to be the next big thing in San Antonio.
The former University of Texas star has a career average of 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and a block per game through his first nine seasons with the Blazers, whom he led to the playoffs five times.
“I expect him to be a force down low and go protect the rim,” Green said.