Courtesy of the Nets
7 things to know about newest Net LaMarcus Aldridge
He plays piano—but only because Shaq once gave him good advice; he built a house just for his shoes, and has a soccer pro cousin
The Brooklyn Nets signed seven time All Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge On Sunday to add on to an already championship-caliber roster. Aldridge, a 6’11, 265-pound power forward known for his offensive prowess, joined the team shortly after the acquisition of six-time All Star Blake Griffin two weeks ago.
With the addition of 35-year-old Aldridge, the Nets have 40 All-Star appearances and two MVPs combined between him, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and Deandre Jordan. Here are seven other things to know about a man who may have a big say in the Nets’ championship aspirations.
He attended the same college as his new Nets teammate Kevin Durant at the University of Texas, but the two missed out on playing together by a year. Aldridge played college ball for the Longhorns for two years before becoming the second overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Had he stayed at school another year, he would have teamed up with Durant, but not for long. Durant himself would be drafted second the following year.
He built a separate house for his shoes in 2015. Move over, Imelda Marcos. Sneakerhead Aldridge told SLAM Magazine in an interview in 2015 that he was building a separate house for his sneaker collection ahead of signing a four year, $84.1 million contract in 2015.
He took a big pay cut to play for Brooklyn. Netsdaily reported that Aldridge gave up over $7 million as part of his buyout agreement with his former team, the San Antonio Spurs, so that he could join the Nets. His decision signals a desire to compete for a championship in his remaining years, and a sign of deep faith in the Nets.
Soccer pro Marlon Hairston is his cousin. Hairston is a winger and full-back for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew.
Shaquille O’Neal once gave him some good advice. While still in high school, Aldridge asked Shaquille O’Neal for advice about jumping to the NBA. Shaq told him to go to college.
He plays piano. Good thing he went, too: Aldridge took up the piano in the second semester of his sophomore year at Texas and it stuck. Having gigantic hands probably doesn’t hurt.
People are mad about the Nets’ Super Team. The acquisition of Aldridge caused a stir among the NBA community, with some of the league’s premier media personalities complaining that the Nets are too good. Nets Head Coach Steve Nash responded by saying “it’s not like we did anything illegal.”
Ultimately, the addition of Aldridge solidifies these Nets as the franchise’s best-ever team, and one of the most talented teams in the NBA. Whether those talents, uh, net them a trophy remains to be seen.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story included the incorrect assertion that sports journalist David Aldridge is one of LaMarcus’ cousins. Brooklyn Magazine regrets the error.
