Joel BrighamJoel Brigham Email Print 0

LaMarcus Aldridge Finally Gets His All-Star Props

Last February, the city of Portland really felt pretty strongly that LaMarcus Aldridge should’ve made the All-Star team. There was some sentiment that perhaps he was more deserving than Blake Griffin, and when Yao Ming couldn’t play because of his injury, Kevin Love also leapfrogged Aldridge for the replacement spot. It was, quite simply, the most glaring snub of the season, but there was no way it was happening again in 2012.

Now that Aldridge finally has the All-Star designation he deserves, he’s focused on staying healthy, winning games in Portland, and figuring out a way to compete more consistently in the Western Conference the second half of the season.

As for making the All-Star team, Aldridge appears to understand that receiving this sort of accolade is all part of the patient growth of an NBA star.

Alex RaskinAlex Raskin Email Print 0

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins doesn’t always have a smile on his face during the season. After a three-loss campaign at Kentucky in 2009-2010, Cousins has just 35 wins under his belt in a season and a half of pro ball. His frustrations can be seen from the last rows of Sacramento’s Power Balance Pavilion to Cousins’ hometown of Mobile, AL; but during the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, Cousins can usually be found sporting a grin.

Yannis KoutroupisYannis Koutroupis Email Print 0

All-Star point guard Chris Paul is just over eight weeks in to his career as a Los Angeles Clipper. Traded to the franchise prior to the start of the season, it’s safe to say the Clippers’ culture has changed completely since his arrival. Previously just getting to the playoffs would have been a great accomplishment. Now they’re legitimate contenders, sitting in third place in the West overall with a 20-11 record. Yet, Paul is far from satisfied.