NBA 2017-18: 5 Players Having A Solid Bounce-Back Season So Far

#4 LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge

There was a talk a lot at the end of last season about the possible decline of LaMarcus Aldridge and how his numbers have dipped since moving to San Antonio from Portland.

While his averages dropping was understandable, given the depth of talent the San Antonio Spurs have at their disposal and the fact that he was playing alongside Kawhi Leonard, what angered fans or had them disappointed was his failure to take over games in the Conference Finals series against the Golden State Warriors once Leonard was ruled out.

Everybody touted him as a misfit in the Spurs system. To make matters worse there plenty of trade rumors which including around the 2017 NBA Draft.

But prior to the start of the season, he and the Spurs management (more importantly Gregg Popovich) realized they both needed each other. And so far, things seem to be working fantastically, considering that the Spurs are 17-8 (3rd in the West) with Leonard having not played a single game and Aldridge is a huge reason why.

Through 25 games, he's averaging 22.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists on 50.6% shooting in 33.3 minutes on the floor. His points and assists numbers are highest since he moved to Texas.