Aldridge: ‘Not here to be an All-star’
Speaking to reporters for the first time since arriving in Brooklyn, former Spurs big man Lamarcus Aldridge said Tuesday that he no longer is interested in individual honors and that he chose the Nets because he thinks he can “fill a void.”
“I’m not here to be an Allstar,” Aldridge said. “That’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m just trying to bring the value, try to bring the things I’m good at, and trying to help this team win. I’m not worried about being an All-star anymore.”
The Nets haven’t decided when Aldridge will make his Brooklyn debut but have ruled him out for tonight’s game against the Rockets.
Drummond to get the start at center
Andre Drummond will debut for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight and will start at center in place of Marc Gasol, Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.
“I think the level of excitement for me is at an all-time high,” Drummond said in a video conference call after his first full practice with the team.
It will be his first game since Feb. 12, when the Cleveland Cavaliers sat him down while trying to work out a trade for the two-time All-star.
The two sides agreed to a buyout last week.
Towns ‘emotional’ as dad attends game
Karl Anthony Towns of the
Minnesota Timberwolves played Monday night with his father in attendance for the first time since his mother died of COVID-19
nearly a year ago.
“Me and my dad got emotional before the game,” Towns said after Minnesota’s loss to the Nets at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, “because he made his presence known. It affected me because my mom always did that.”
Jacqueline Cruz-towns, whom her son has called the “boss” of the family, often attended her son’s games, sitting near the court and enthusiastically cheering him on.
“My mom would be the one to go at the stanchion,” Towns said Monday, “or be there and wave at me until I said hi to her or came and hugged her.”
Jazz flight turns back after striking birds
A Utah Jazz charter flight headed to Memphis had to return to Salt Lake City after the plane struck a flock of birds on takeoff.
No injuries were reported. The Jazz confirmed their Delta charter for Wednesday’s game returned to Salt Lake City International airport shortly after takeoff.
After the incident, several players expressed gratitude for the safe landing. Donovan Mitchell posted a praying hands emoji on Twitter, while Rudy Gobert wrote “It’s a beautiful day!”
The Jazz are scheduled to play the Memphis Grizzlies tonight.