CJ McCollum played with LaMarcus Aldridge with the Portland Trail Blazers for only two seasons. While it was just a short time, he came away impressed; he believes that Aldridge was among the best big men in NBA history.
The two played together in Portland from 2013 to 2015. Aldridge was a starter for the Blazers, alongside Damian Lillard, while a young McCollum came off the bench. During their time together, they helped their team reach the playoffs each time, including a Western Conference semifinal appearance in 2014.
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On his appearance on the “Club 520 Podcast,” McCollum, who is now playing for the Washington Wizards, spoke about his run with the Blazers, including the big impression that Aldridge made on him with his standout play while manning the paint for them.
“He’s so dynamic and explosive and athletic, but he’s a different type of big. L is like a post-traditional big, pick and pop. I see L go give Dwight [Howard] 40 [points] and 20 [rebounds],” McCollum said.
The sweet-shooting guard lamented, though, that LA did not stay for long after he left to play for the San Antonio Spurs in 2015, seeing how they had the potential to win at least one NBA title.
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“But like if we would have had L [we could have won it all] and it’s funny like if you know then what you know now, like, I would have tried to get him to stay, we would have all, like, [made him stay]. But I didn’t know, like, he was gone until it was too late,” the now 34-year-old McCollum shared.
Nine solid years for LA in Rip City
Aldridge was selected second overall in the 2006 NBA Draft out of the University of Texas by the Blazers, where he spent nine solid years. He anchored his game on his versatility, able to score from both the post and the perimeter, with his patented midrange fadeaway jump shot, while also being an effective rebounder and defender in the paint.
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In Rip City, he was a four-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Team member while helping his team, by and large, to steady competitiveness. During his stay in Portland, he averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and a block. He even padded his numbers in the playoffs, going for 22.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 34 games.
In 2015, Aldridge signed a four-year contract with the Spurs, where he continued to experience individual success as an All-Star-caliber player until he left in 2021.
He then played for the Brooklyn Nets, but his stint with the team was abruptly ended when he announced his retirement due to health concerns stemming from an irregular heartbeat. Aldridge unretired and re-signed with the Nets in September 2021 before retiring for good in March 2023.
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Wanted to win a chip
While he accomplished a lot in his NBA career, Aldridge believes it was still lacking, as he was not able to win a title. He had great memories of his days with the Blazers and how he played with passion there.
“People don’t really know those Portland days like that, like when I was really putting it in,” he fondly remembered.
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Could he have won a title with the Blazers had he stayed, like what McCollum said? Probably. However, regardless, he is a Portland legend and surely made a significant impact as a big man during his tenure.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.