Haynes: Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge Says "Nobody Is Safe" From Possible Trade In NBA

Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge reflects on whether a player is ever "untouchable" from trades.

Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com reports the thoughts of Portland Trail Blazers All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who continues to say that he's not interested in hearing negative feedback about the quality or style of his play. Aldridge also takes a pragmatic approach to player movement in the NBA.

The organization has made it clear that the plan is for No. 12 to remain a Trail Blazer.

Being the realist that Aldridge considers himself, he never buys into being labeled "untouchable."

"Nobody is safe. Nobody," Aldridge said adamantly. "You can never get too comfortable in this league. It's a business. I don't look at myself and think I can't be touched. I'm just being real. All I can do is go out there and play basketball to the best of my ability."

Back in October, it was reported that Blazers GM Neil Olshey told Aldridge that he wouldn't be traded for this season and next.

Olshey recently defended his power forward from criticism, as did Blazers coach Terry Stotts.

Aldridge was called "soft" recently by one columnist. Another writer wondered whether the Blazers should consider trading Aldridge. His drastic increase in perimeter shots was examined a few weeks back. I took a look at the redistribution of his shot locations earlier this season.

Aldridge's numbers are up meaningfully in recent weeks. He averaged 20.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in 14 November games while shooting 44.2 percent. In December's seven games so far, he's averaged 21.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 51.7 percent.

The Blazers are currently 11-12, just one game out of the No. 8 seed in the West. The longer they hang around .500 and the playoff picture, the less likely Aldridge is to find his name pop up again in trade rumors in advance of the February 21 trade deadline.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

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Source: http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/12/18/3781896/haynes-blazers-f-lamarcus-aldridge-says-nobody-is-safe-from-possible

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