Nets big man LaMarcus Aldridge has retired as an NBA player, announcing his decision in a statement on Twitter. As Aldridge explains, he made the decision after experiencing an irregular heartbeat during his most recent game.
“Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night was still one of the scariest things I’ve experienced,” Aldridge said in his statement. “With that being said, I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from the NBA. For 15 years, I’ve put basketball first, and now, it is time to put my health and family first.”
Aldridge’s irregular heartbeat last Saturday wasn’t the first time he has dealt with a heart-related health issue. He was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome as a rookie in 2007 and missed time in 2017 due to a hearth arrhythmia. Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News wrote more in ’17 about Aldridge’s heart history.
Aldridge, who gave up a significant chunk of his remaining 2020/21 salary in a buyout agreement with the Spurs last month, joined the Nets as a free agent in the hopes of earning his first championship ring. However, the 35-year-old was only able to appear in five games for Brooklyn before making the decision to call it a career.
Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement of his own today that the franchise fully supports Aldridge’s decision, as Ian Begley of SNY.tv relays (via Twitter).
“While we value what he has brought to our team during his short time in Brooklyn, his health and well-being are far more important than the game of basketball,” Marks said. “We know this was not an easy decision for him, but after careful consideration and consultation with numerous medical experts, he made the best decision for him, his family, and his life after basketball.”
Aldridge, the second overall pick in the 2006 draft out of Texas, averaged 19.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in 1,029 career NBA regular season games for the Trail Blazers, Spurs, and Nets. He contributed 20.8 PPG and 8.5 RPG in another 72 postseason contests.
Aldridge was named to the NBA All-Star team seven times over the course of his 15-year career, earning All-NBA honors five times — twice as a member of the Second Team and three times as part of the Third Team.
While Aldridge’s health is the Nets’ primary concern for now, it’s worth noting that his retirement will have a significant impact on Brooklyn’s frontcourt rotation as the team pursues a title. Aldridge had started all five games he played for the club. Nicolas Claxton and DeAndre Jordan will handle the majority of the minutes at center with Aldridge no longer in the mix.
Whether or not Aldridge remains on Brooklyn’s roster for the rest of the season, he’ll earn his remaining salary, so the team will likely release him in a procedural move in order to sign a 15th man for the postseason.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Why not wait for a few weeks to make decision？
He doesn’t wanna die…
Lol 30 likes and counting gg irons
This is his health and life at stake
because it’s a game and his health.
Lol what… how, in all the letters you had to hit to type that, did you not just delete this statement?
Why don’t you wait a few seconds before you type?
He doesn’t need to play until he is healthy
What I am saying is he should postpone his decision
Considering he has had multiple heart related issues, consulted with medical professionals, and let’s not forget the mountains of money he has made during his career…what’s the point of waiting?
He has a diagnosed heart problem. This isn’t an ankle issue where you ice it and the worst possible outcome that exists is having trouble walking the rest of your life. This can be life or death and no sport is worth that.
why do you care?
@Silli
Why do you think he should postpone his decision?
If he stays and doesn’t play, can they add another player?
If he stays and plays, he is risking what he believes to be his health.
I am unsure of what positive outcome there is in delaying this
Do you really think that this was a spur (no pun intended) of the moment decision?
You just made the MUTE option so worthwhile Sillyvan
Scary stuff, glad he’s in a good place to make the best decision for his future and his family
Health first man. Best of luck. Wonder if hell still be involved in the game as a coach/analyst/FO once he gets a handle on his health.
Best of luck in retirement LA. Certainly respect the decision.
Really sad and why he probably wanted to go to a contender. I don’t know when it started but he’s been missing games since SA and might not wanted to risk playing when the games don’t mean as much. I’m glad he was able to leave at the right time it seams like tho. Hearts don’t always warn you before they kick out.
Seems like a quick decision. I know it’s gotta be scary. The heart is a serious thing. He should get all the tests and maybe finish his career with Blazers next yr. Seems too sudden. I think he will see all the specialists he needs to see. Totally get him shutting it down now. Wise move on his part. Too bad for Nets. This really affects their chances IMO. Wish LA the best hope it’s not major. Get well get healthy. Regardless he’s had a nice career. And at 35 has plenty of living to do with his family. God Speed LA ……
I’m sure he would rather be alive then win a chip…..use your head
Use yours to read. Comprehension helps.
Wow. I cant blame him. I recently had a situation that scared me, and told myself I wont let myself get that fatigued ever again. Man, I’ve always been a fan. Was hoping to see him join my team for this run, which didnt happen, but he had a great career. Very skilled in multiple areas of the floor, and a high IQ player. Wish he had the chance to be on a healthy playoff team in his career, but he is a big reason why a team like Portland is where they are today. Hope he can be satisfied with what he has done, because he should be, and hopefully he can live his life unimpeded by whatever his condition is. Congrats to him. Obviously has to hurt for it to happen now, of all times…
That being said, while it takes away certain things at the 5 for them, they have a couple of similar options, and probably should use that extra roster spot for a defender, either at the 4 or 5, behind the guys they already have. I dont think it effects them much, but I also didnt think as highly of them as others, while acknowledging their ability offensively
Defender, with poor defenseless Mike D’antoni and Steve Snatch as coaches? Get real.
NBA is not a old man’s game. You got to go up and down the court the whole time keeping pace with a guy more than 10 years younger than you. Before people bash him he made the right call since his health is more important than a championship.
35 is not old. It’s not really even middle aged.
35 used to be ancient for the NBA. Lotta guys don’t make it to 35 playing 20+ mins per game. There are a ton of guys latching on the end of the bench never playing like Haslem or Juwan Howard tho.
The difference is Aldridge was starting for a championship caliber team and holding his own.
Truth. Only 9 players have played past 40, including Kareem, Parish, Carter, Stockton &Mutombo
I’m 73 and can run the court harder than 90% of the teenagers. IDT that age has anything to do with it. DNA, mental desire and God’s gifts are the most important factors. Remember how Big Baby sucked wind? I’m sure that people tried to get him into condition. Heck, he was 19 years old
I am old too but not as old as you. I out work these kids half my age but in the NBA those kids are not your typical teenager. They are atheletes.
OK, at my speed it’s not a comparison but I can run as hard as most pros. I pass better and my basketball IQ is considerably higher than most. The fact that I’m like 5’6″ really takes away from any comparisons. If I had been born fast and tall I’d have been a wide receiver. I have Danny Abramowitz hands Meanwhile look how Pete Maravich’s life ended. Look at the potential Shaqwheel had if he’d have been willing to work. We all get to play with the cards we’re dealt. Some just play harder than others
I have been highly critical of Aldridge and the Nets over the buyout market over the past few weeks, but this is not the result I wanted. This is scary stuff. I have had a similar heart scare, that thankfully turned out to be nothing but minor palpitations, but it really does make you realize what is truly important in life. I like my job, it allows me to basically work my own hours and pays pretty well. But if my health was potentially compromised by that job, I would walk away from it in a heartbeat (no pun intended). I salute Aldridge and hope he can overcome this challenge and live the majority of the remainder of his life in relative good health.
If Nets win, he gets a ring
I have nothing but respect for LMA. He has been a consummate professional and performed at an elite level for most of his career. Good luck to him as he transitions to life after basketball!
woah…. good luck to you Mr. Aldridge… health absolutely should come first. Chris Bosh 2.0
Really sad LaMarcus had a great career and had a couple of good years left in him. If it wasn’t for his health being at risk. He would have ending his Career on a high note.
I was very happy when the SASpurs signed him back in 2015 and was sad to see him go earlier this year. He was a team player while here and while I understood mgmt. decision to go young, I didn’t like that he was benched & then let go
Class act player. Was hoping he had a chance to play in the Finals. Boston should of traded for him a few years ago.
I always thought Aldridge’s fade-away was “unique” and unstoppable at times. I don’t recall many in the league with a similar shot like that – especially for a big man.
Smart move, Wishing him the best in post career endeavors.
With that said this hurts nets tremendously inside. In the short time with nets he was an excellent defender for them similarly to blake griffin. Will be interested to see how they account for the loss.
Wish him the best. He is only 35 he has a whole lot of life ahead of him. No need to take a risk.
Its my understanding after watching jojo destroy everyone in his path, Aldridge thought retirement was a better option.
So he was scared off???
hahahohoho
What a brilliant observation.
Shaqwheel didn’t scare him off in 13 games.
JoJo died 3 years ago.
I think he might have been referring to Joel Embiid
Against the Lakers, he was noticeably running hard getting back on defense. I call that an answering-his-critics effort. He looked dangerous even, so big in body and stride. Look out regulars!
Not like I remembered with the Spurs, but then, I don’t usually notice this aspect, so IDK if he changed. He was not a high-effort guy generally. But there was a reason, as once had to be said about me.
I suspect he was overdoing it, breaking his envelope, for the new team. In SA he was Pop’s choice… not the same in NYC where ppl will opin loudly, independently. Not sure being 35 mattered like the career shift.
nah, he just couldn’t deal with the self entitled bs anymore.
God be with you LaMarcus. Not only are you one of the 5 greatest midrange shooters in history but you are a class act.
Terrible to see forced into retirement when he’s still good, respect to him forever – a true baller til the end.
Nets medical staff took a Big risk for nothing
I’m 73 and can run the court harder than 90% of the teenagers. IDT that age has anything to do with it. DNA, mental desire and God’s gifts are the most important factors. Remember how Big Baby sucked wind? I’m sure that people tried to get him into condition. Heck, he was 19 years old
Good riddance!
Good riddance to whom?
Who is this article about?
Really? What could anyone find wrong with LaMarcus? I’m a Laker lover and I was upset that he went to the Spurs instead of the Lakers but at the time the Lakers were awful and the Kobe/Little Jimmy Buss debacle had us several years from salvation. I couldn’t hate him for that. Otherwise he’s been nothing but a total class act. Remind me to not let you choose my entertainers for me. Wow, you must have been one of the Derek Fisher haters from Utah. The nerve of him to choose his daughter’s health over his basketball career
Why Not Sit like luke walton
Just wait until playoffs