Considered by many the brightest star in the 2015 NBA free agent sweepstakes, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge made a big change to the San Antonio Spurs after spending his first nine years in the league with the Portland Trail Blazers. There are many stories and oodles of speculation as to why he made the move. But now that he has, it might be more interesting to venture a speculation at what is going to happen as a result of this decision.
By the numbers LA was a great match in Portland. Management, players and staff went to extra measures over the last few years to accommodate him. The Portland Trail Blazers primary numbers are 9 (90), 5 and 4. Terry Stotts are 5, 9 and 5 and LA’s 9 (90), 2 (11) and 7.
The primary Numbers for the San Antonio Spurs are 8 ,8 and 9. Coach Gregg Popovich’s are 5,7 and 2. The influence of the 9 can work for or against him and 8 is the number of assertiveness, authority and use of power. These are all something he is learning to implement into his game. It is also one of his karmic number lessons.
I have previously touched on the lighter side of LA’s numbers so emphasis here is given to the down side. The 7 number often indicates a more reclusive and reserved personality where feelings are highly protected by mental processing rather than open and freely expressed. With the 90=9 there is likelihood of mood fluctuations, emotional oversensitivity and idealism as an escape from hurt feelings. There can be an inclination toward martyrdom. The down side of an 11(2) is similar. This includes over sensitive to social and personal criticism, indecisiveness and pettiness rather than mature emotional processing. When 2 appears in a chart, that person is often times seen as “wishy washy” or “flaky”.
Part of LA’s inner child did not feel he received his fair share of acknowledgement in his formative years. He over compensates by idealization and creating mental pictures of what he believes he deserves, rather than healing emotional pain that lingers within. Rather than directly confronting and resolving his emotional issues in a mature manner, he weighs the perceived rejection against his mentally and ideally measured expectations.
In reaction to the perceived “slights” that he encounters, he internalizes anger into what I call “passive piss.” Passive piss is based upon an unconscious internal rationalization rooted in the inner child that says, “you did not give me what I needed, so I am not going to give you want you want from me”. This process could be seen in his melt down at the end of the last games of the Memphis series in last season’s play offs and his distancing from team mates. There were other previous, but less conspicuous episodes.
Gregg Popovich is a hugely successful NBA coach. He is well respected and accomplished. Despite his rough exterior, his players for the most part give their all when playing for his teams. His numbers are all mental and indicative of a cerebral and analytical approach to life, leadership and to the game. This is not the combination of a “touchy feely” kind of person. He is widely perceived as sardonic, serious and at times sarcastic. These would be three excellent choices of words that fit with his numerical profile. Underneath the rough exterior there is a wise and superb motivator.
LaMarcus Aldridge has on numerous occasions been described in the press as having great admiration and an idealized respect for Popovich. There is a childish “golly gee” naiveté written in his face and actions. As long as their mutual respect and admiration dictates, they will get along. LA could be a great “fit” for the Spurs. If the “ideal” bubble bursts, the relation can quickly sour into dissension, and finally intolerance.
Will Aldridge be able to deflect Popovich’s critical and sarcastic style, and play at a high level? LA is not an aggressive leader, and will not carry the team. He can be whiny and demanding. Can “Pop” work with this in one of and still make the team concept work? There is a chance that they find a mutual thread of communication through the 2 and 7 they have in common.Will LA respond to “Pops” tough love with a maturing response, and work through his fragile self-image and major insecurities?
This old retired therapist, numerologist and longtime observer of human nature says that the long term will bring turmoil and tension. I will be surprised if they get a title with Aldridge. LA signed a four year contract with the Spurs. The numbers I see indicate that most likely he will not be there that long. There is an option at 3 years, and he may not even make it that far. It would not be a surprise to see LA go home to Dallas before his career is over.
(Author’s Note) I conducted an assessment of LA’s numerical progressed chart on June 4th and posted a clearly defined prediction that he would leave Portland. This was when most local and national sports writers were saying it was a 50/50 chance or that Portland was still in the mix.
(Postscript 5/12/16) Days after telling the Blazers faithful that he would like to play out in Portland and set all sorts of new team records, LaMarcus very subtly spurned the Blazers to be closer to his family. He sped to the Spurs with hopes of increasing his chances of winning a championship ring. Interestingly enough, the Blazers and Spurs both advanced to the same point in the playoffs. As Jake Harper might be heard to say, “ironic”.
