LaMarcus Aldridge is still a Spur, and he’s embracing it

After a rough second season in San Antonio, some felt LaMarcus Aldridge would enter his 12th year in the NBA on a new team. Hell, San Antonio even reportedly tried to shop him a few times this summer, but couldn’t find a suitor.

That’s why it’s surprising to see ESPN’s Michael C. Wright report Aldridge has taken more of a leadership role with the Spurs heading into the 2017-18 season.

“He leads more like [Tim Duncan] does, just by example,” head coach Gregg Popovich said via ESPN. “He works hard in practice. He’s communicating with players really well. He’s communicating with coaches and taking pride in being here and in being a leader in the group. He’s not a towel waver or anything like that. He does it by example. He’s done a good job.”

Many thought Aldridge was good as gone this summer

After averaging 17.3 points last season as somewhat of a misfit in the Spurs offense, Aldridge was even worse in the playoffs. He averaged 16.5 points in the postseason, including an abominable Western Conference Finals against the Warriors where — after Kawhi Leonard exited the series with an ankle injury — he had two games with only eight points.

After the Spurs were swept out of the playoffs for only the third time in the Popovich era, San Antonio reportedly spoke to at least three teams about deals revolving around Aldridge in exchange for a top-10 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. No trade materialized, but shopping an established veteran is never a good sign.

Then, Aldridge and Pop had a heart-to-heart

Aldridge didn’t feel he was being used correctly in San Antonio, so he went to Popovich and aired his grievances.

"It was me kind of being blunt about it, and being kind of forward," Aldridge told ESPN during training camp. "But once I said it, he was great about listening, and it was good from there. I felt like I wasn't really fitting into the system as best I could. I wasn't really helping like I felt I could."

Pop was receptive to Aldridge’s claims. After all, this wasn’t a rookie or an unproven young player. Aldridge is a perennial all-star and one of the league’s best power forwards.

"We have talked about what we can do to make him more comfortable, and to make our team better. But having said that, I think we are mostly talking about offense,” Popovich said. “Defense, he was fantastic for us. Now, we have got to help him a little bit more so that he is comfortable in his own space offensively, and I haven't done a very good job of that."

Now Aldridge could be in line for a bounce-back year

In four preseason games, Aldridge has averaged 16 points on 57 percent shooting. Those aren’t amazing numbers by any stretch, but it’s the quality of looks that has both he and Popovich gushing with excitement for the regular season.

Assistant coach Becky Hammon says the all-star forward has “taken ownership of leading the team,” while Leonard recovers from a quad injury. And if both Leonard and Aldridge are on the same page under Popovich as the Spurs make yet another deep playoff run, it could mean double trouble for the Western Conference in April, May, and even June.