CLEVELAND — After 15 years in the NBA — over 35,000 minutes and 20,000 points — there’s still at least one thing the Nets’ LaMarcus Aldridge still hasn’t figured out how to do yet.
Come off the bench.
Aldridge hasn’t just been a starter for his entire career, but a star. And coming off the bench hasn’t been an easy adjustment for the seven-time All-Star — just one he’s made for the greater good.
“It’s very difficult. You’ve been one type of player or a certain type of player your whole career. It’s definitely different coming off the bench and not playing much,” Aldridge said. “So it’s been difficult. … I’m still trying to figure it out and navigate it and find my spots. And I’m just trying to find my ways to try and help out.”
After Aldridge’s rookie campaign, he went 13 straight years without coming off the bench a single game. That is, until last season, when the Spurs had him do so three times before buying him out.
Asked if the mental adjustment to coming off the bench was made any easier by his brief retirement, Aldridge admitted it was neither simpler nor complete.
“It’s an ongoing battle. It’s not, you fix it and it’s done. You still have moments where it’s still tough to not be out there at times, and it’s still tough to not start at times,” Aldridge said. “But I came back to win, and I wanted to be here and try to win it all. So, if that’s my role, it is what it is.”
If Aldridge wants to start, he isn’t alone in that desire. Many Nets fans are clamoring to see him in the lineup as well.
Aldridge comes into Monday’s tilt versus the Cavaliers as the Nets’ third-leading scorer (12.9 ppg), despite logging a career-low 20.6 minutes and not starting a single game. Patty Mills — who played with him in Portland and San Antonio — isn’t shocked at his friend’s effectiveness, only at how well he’s handled this new role.
“What’s surprised me is how professional he’s been in being able to make the most of his opportunities coming off the bench,” Mills said. “Obviously, that’s new for him. But he’s been such a pro that way and still been able to find his ways of impacting the game. And we do well as a team when he does get it going.”
The Nets are 9-1 when Aldridge cracks double digits. And he’s also reaffirmed a role as a closer, if not a starter.
The last time the Nets faced this Cavs team — on Wednesday in Brooklyn — Aldridge had a season-high 24 points, with 14 in the fourth quarter. And in Friday’s win over Orlando, he had 11 of his 15 in the final eight minutes.
“I had a smaller guy on me, so [James Harden] told me to get down there. And he got to me [once] I got down there,” Aldridge said. “That’s where I’m most comfortable at, so I just did what I do.”
Presumably, he’ll keep doing it from the bench.
Last season, Harden often ran the second unit. But now, with Kyrie Irving out, Steve Nash hasn’t had the luxury of separating Harden and Kevin Durant.
Nash has used Aldridge as the scoring punch off the bench, and said he also wants to keep the 36-year-old fresh for later in the season.
“I get that. I definitely understand trying to be fresh, trying to save [legs]. But also, I understand you’ve got to play a little to get your legs to be able to handle 30 minutes. So I see both sides of it,” Aldridge said. “But I definitely understand it’s more about the long haul here, and it’s not about trying to play 30 minutes right now.”
Nash has started Blake Griffin every game, even going big early in the season and using Griffin alongside Nic Claxton. For his part, Aldridge deflected questions about how comfortable he’d be with a switch to the first unit.
“That’s more of a Steve question,” Aldridge laughed. “But of course, I’m always gonna feel comfortable being out … so I wouldn’t mind that. But it’s more about what the whole team needs.”