Skip to content

Popovich blames himself for Aldridge's struggles: 'I tried to change him'

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

The San Antonio Spurs believe they can still make it work with LaMarcus Aldridge.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich blames himself for Aldridge's uneven performances over the last two seasons. Popovich explained he tried to engineer small improvements in Aldridge's game, but that strategy backfired as the player started to lose his confidence.

"I did talk with him several times during the summer. He just didn't feel comfortable. It's 98.75 percent on me, and whatever's left - because I can't subtract that much - on him," Popovich told Michael C. Wright of ESPN.

"But I tried to change him. I thought back to when Timmy came, and people said, ‘What are you going to do with Tim Duncan?' I said, ‘Nothing. I'm just going to watch him for about six months, see what he does. He's a pretty good player, and if there's something I think I can add, then I'll do it.'

"With LaMarcus, he got here and on Day 1, I said, ‘OK, you're going to do this, and you're going to do this pump fake.' I tried to change him. I tried to make him a different player, and I think that really affected his ability to feel comfortable and confident on the court.

"We took care of that, basically by me letting him know that we were going to do it differently, and that it was on me, not him."

The Spurs had initially planned to trade Aldridge following another disappointing playoff showing, but their relationship was repaired after the 32-year-old shared an honest conversation with Popovich this summer. That led to a change of heart wherein the two sides eventually landed on a three-year extension.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox