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Aldridge: 'I'm probably one of the most misunderstood people in the league'

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

LaMarcus Aldridge's name is rarely brought up during the course of the daily NBA news cycle, even though he's a top star on one of the league's more storied franchises.

He's not one to go out of his way to make headlines by speaking his mind to the media. Aldridge prefers to remain under the radar, although some may view his low-key demeanor in a different light.

"I’m probably one of the most misunderstood people in the league," Aldridge told Vice's Michael Pina. "I have no bad intentions, but I carry myself in a very protective way. I like my little shell. I like my little circle of three or four people that I’m close to. I think that comes off as bad to people that don’t really know my personality. I don’t like new environments. I don’t like being around a lot of new people. It makes me uncomfortable."

The only waves Aldridge has made as of late came in the form of his discussion with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich over the summer, where he asked for a trade. Aldridge was allowed to express his frustrations over his role in the team's offense in a face-to-face sitdown after last season, and how he was being underutilized.

Popovich was receptive, and because their conversation was so positive, the two were able to come to an understanding and move forward together.

"To have a heart-to-heart with a coach about me not being able to be myself, I’m not anxious at that point because I’ve never done that before," Aldridge added. "I felt like I had to have that conversation. It was like this has to happen. It wasn’t about being nervous, it was about going about it the right way, making sure it was professional. Making sure I respected everything about him and the organization.

"I feel like the way I went about it and how I communicated my feelings, he listened to me. It was about figuring out how to do it in the right way so he doesn’t think I’m some arrogant punk just trying to cause problems."

Aldridge was named to his sixth All-Star team this year and is averaging 22.2 points (his most since signing in 2015), 8.2 rebounds, two assists, and 1.2 blocks in 33.6 minutes for a 37-27 Spurs team that's only had Kawhi Leonard for nine outings.

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