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San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge earns West Player of the Week

By Rob Wolkenbrod

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 25: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after scoring during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 25: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after scoring during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 25, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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San Antonio Spurs star LaMarcus Aldridge earned himself the Western Conference Player of the Week award.

While Kawhi Leonard missed all but nine games this season, the San Antonio Spurs relied on LaMarcus Aldridge for support. It was after a down year that led to offseason speculation, a trade demand and a contract extension. However, Aldridge has produced his best statistical campaign since signing in the 2015 offseason, with 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.

Once again, for the week of Mar. 19 to 25, Aldridge stepped up. This was part of the Spurs’ six-game winning streak, which was snapped Sunday vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. For this performance the NBA gave him the Western Conference Player of the Week award. The following stat-line averages resulted from four games played (3-1 record):

  • 34.8 points
  • 9.3 rebounds
  • 2.3 assists
  • 2.00 blocks
  • 34.8 minutes
  • 59.6 percent (56-94) from the field
  • 86.7 (26-30) from the foul line

Congrats to LaMarcus Aldridge on being named the @NBA's Western Conference Player of the Week, averaging:– 34.8 points– 9.3 rebounds– 2.3 assists– 2 blocks#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/mkp8ZCI5Ng

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 26, 2018

Aldridge joined Tim Duncan and David Robinson as the only Spur to win Player of the Week at least 10 times. Not even Leonard clinched this recognition.

Without one-half of San Antonio’s “Big 2,” if it can be called that, does the Texas product deserve All-Star consideration? Houston Rockets star James Harden has dominated the conversation, with LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers sprinkled in. Spurs fans, though, want to see the team’s leading scorer (he’s led the team in scoring 52 times this season) up for consideration, for the NBA’s top honor.

LMA getting some much deserved recognition! Now put him in the MVP Race #GoSpursGo

— #Spurs 43-31 (@jon123spurs) March 26, 2018

MVP

— Gregg Popovic (@greggpopovic) March 26, 2018

The Spurs MVP without question!!! LA haters hid big time!!! #GoSpursGo

— Bryon H (@bdizzle4life1) March 26, 2018

It might be Harden’s year, but will Aldridge receive votes? Fans will not learn this until after the season ends, any positive nod at the latter’s season should go a long way toward how he led this battered and bruised team through a tumultuous 74 games and counting.

If not MVP consideration, there’s a case for Aldridge to make the All-NBA First or Second Team when the awards show takes place this summer. Will he place when other big men including Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic have had spectacular seasons of their own?

Next: Top 25 players in SAS history

What’s next for the six-time All-Star? Potentially the playoffs, pending the Spurs get there with eight games to go. If they get Leonard back for this run, how far can they go?

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