Aldridge: Kawhi's absence 'tough,' but 'he has to do what's best for him'
In the absence of another proven scorer, LaMarcus Aldridge has been asked to carry an enormous offensive load for the San Antonio Spurs this season, and it's only increased in the playoffs. Through two first-round games against the Golden State Warriors, Aldridge has used 32.5 percent of San Antonio's possessions.
Though Aldridge had a stellar Game 2 on Monday night, pouring in a game-high 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting, the Spurs couldn't hang with the defending champs. The Warriors won 116-101 to take a 2-0 lead. The Spurs, who continue to be without Kawhi Leonard, have posted a hideous 97.1 offensive rating in the series so far, and their second-leading scorer (Rudy Gay) has averaged just 13.5 points per game.
"It's tough," Aldridge told USA Today's Sam Amick after Game 2. "We're depending on guys who really aren't offensive guys, and I think that showed tonight. We have guys who really don't score, and teams are exposing that and trying to make those guys score. ... But every guy in the locker room has grinded, and tried to get better, and you've got to consider that."
Leonard's continued absence hovers over all of this. He's been cleared by team doctors to return from the calf injury that's cost him all but nine games this season, but remains in New York with his own team of trainers, awaiting clearance from his own doctors.
Aldridge didn't take the bait when asked to weigh in on Leonard's decision.
"I have no comment," Aldridge told Amick. "He has to do what's best for him."