NBA great LaMarcus Aldridge believes Josh Giddey has put everyone in the league on notice while comparing Giddey’s Oklahoma City Thunder group to the super team which featured future MVP’s Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Aldridge, a seven-time NBA All-Star, is visiting Australia to promote the new season, which tips off on October 25 (AEDT), and said he loves what he has seen from Giddey, who is entering his third NBA campaign.
NBA great LaMarcus Aldridge at the NBA Store in Melbourne.Credit: James Rush
The Thunder made the play-ins last season and will start this campaign aiming to make the play-offs and move up the standings with a young team led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, and rookie centre Chet Holmgren – along with role players including Jalen Williams and Lu Dort.
“He’s a very skilled player and has shown a lot of promise,” Aldridge said.
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“I feel like he does it all on the floor and has that confidence and swagger out there that he plays with.
“I feel like he definitely makes that team better, and I feel like everyone’s on notice that he’s getting better.
“He’s up and coming, and each year he’s going to keep getting better and better.”
Aldridge battled against the Thunder’s original big three of Durant, Westbrook and Harden who all, eventually, won NBA MVP awards after being drafted by the Thunder, before going their different ways.
Aldridge praised the Thunder for being able to again have a flourishing young core.
“It’s impressive to me that they have rebuilt two good teams,” Aldridge said.
“They drafted KD, Russ and James. Then they got rid of that group, and now they have this new, young core.
“It’s cool they have been patient and took the long route, which not every team is OK doing.
“They drafted guys and they are turning out to be good.”
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Aldridge’s storied career saw him play with the San Antonio Spurs alongside Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili and Patty Mills, while also starring with the Portland Trail Blazers and Brooklyn Nets.
He played with Mills at all three clubs.
“I followed him around,” Aldridge said with a laugh.
“Patty is an awesome player and even better person.
“We’ve been close over the years and I’ve had some great memories with him.
“To see how he started in Portland and didn’t really receive an opportunity and then to have a team like the Spurs really value what he brings to the table.
“He had an unbelievable run there and helped them win a championship.
“He’s been amazing as a player and he has definitely grown in leaps and bounds in his game and is an unbelievable leader in terms of chemistry and helping guys understand things. I’ve enjoyed playing him in every place.”
He watched the NBL season-opener between Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena on Thursday night and took in Saturday’s AFL grand final.
“It was good basketball,” Aldridge said.
“You can see they focus more on skill here. The passing, shooting and things like that.”
Delly puts himself into MVP debate as United beat Sixers
Melbourne United star Matthew Dellavedova showed he is a legitimate NBL MVP candidate as his side improved to a 2-0 start on Sunday.
Dellavedova plans to use this NBL season to show Boomers coach Brian Goorjian and any NBA play-off teams that he still has plenty to offer at the highest levels and his performance in the opening two games have been a statement of intention.
The NBA championship winner scored 11 of his 19 points in the final term as United overcame a pesky Adelaide 36ers 82-74 in front of 8165 fans in Adelaide.
United dominated the last quarter and were even more commanding on the offensive glass, pulling in 21 offensive rebounds and scoring 28 second-chance points.
Chris Goulding joined Dellavedova with 19 points, while NBA draft prospect Ariel Hukporti had 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks before fouling out.
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