These 5 stats show how dominant LaMarcus Aldridge has been for the Nets
By Josh Paredes
It’s starting to look like LaMarcus Aldridge will be stuck on automatic forever for the Brooklyn Nets. After another solid shooting night and 21 points in a win over the Orlando Magic, his importance to the team continues to grow.
Any average player would love to have a 9-of-16 shooting night for a 56.5% clip on a nightly basis. That was actually one of the “bad” shooting nights of the season in Brooklyn for Aldridge. Coming off the bench, the big man is now third on the team in points per game at 13.1 through 11 contests played.
After once thinking his basketball career was over, the 36-year-old’s play has been nothing short of inspiring as he continues to strongly contribute for a title contender. Here’s a look at the numbers that stand out the most for the seven-time All-Star.
5. Only two games shooting below 50%
Out of 11 games played, Aldridge has shot 50% or better from the field in nine. The only two times he didn’t were an 0-for-2 debut and an 0-for-3 showing against Toronto. He also shot 2-of-4 against the Atlanta Hawks for a 50% mark.
Beyond those, Aldridge has shot better than 56% in every game, including two times in which he eclipsed the 80% mark.
4. Career-high 46.2% shooting from three
By making six of his 13 attempts from beyond the arc, Aldridge is averaging a career-high 46.2% shooting from 3-point range. The last time he finished a season shooting above even 40% from downtown was 2016-17, when he shot 41.1%.
3. Career-high 2.1 blocks per 36 minutes
Aldridge has never averaged two or more blocks per 36 minutes in his career, but he’s doing just that for the Nets and leading them in total blocks despite being seventh on the team in minutes.
Though he lost a few steps when it comes to lateral movement as his career with the Spurs wound down, he’s still finding ways to swat shots at a career-best rate.
2. 66.2% True shooting
True shooting percentage takes every form of scoring and calculates that to measure a player’s overall efficiency in shooting the ball. Aldridge is right up there in that stat behind DeAndre’ Bembry (71.1%) and Kevin Durant (67.4) as one of the most efficient shooters on the team.
📼 | LMA started hitting shots and didn't stop hitting shots pic.twitter.com/AXmo0VbtRV
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 11, 2021
1. 31-of-43 from mid-range (72.1%)
Not long ago, I wrote about how Aldridge’s picture-perfect mid-range jumper was adding another dimension to the Nets’ offense. At the time, he had made 17 of his 22 attempts for a 77.3% rate.
Since then, Aldridge has made 14 of 21 and is still hitting mid-range shots at a 72.1% rate. That’s easily the best percentage in the NBA out of anyone who’s attempted at least seven or more.
What once looked like an unfortunate end to a remarkable career has suddenly turned into one of the greatest stories in the league this season. Keep letting it fly, Mr. Aldridge.
