NBA Rumors: San Antonio Spurs Groom LaMarcus Alridge As Next Tim Duncan; NBA Team Eye Rasual Butler

By Mitch de Leon
Tim Duncan
The San Antonio Spurs prepare for the retirement of Tim Duncan by signing LaMarcus Aldridge. Wikimedia Commons/Keith Allison

The San Antonio Spurs made headlines during the NBA offseason when news came out that the team managed to sign the ever elusive LaMarcus Aldridge. With other NBA teams vying for the attention of the star, such as the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and even the Cleveland Cavaliers, Aldridge had best options all spread out in front of him. Hence, the decision for the widely sought after NBA star to sign with the Spurs shocked a number of fans and followers especially with the implication that Aldridge might be playing in the shadow of Tim Duncan.

In the past NBA seasons, the Spurs have relied heavily on the basketball skills of Duncan who was drafted and will possibly retire with the team. With this in mind, there is no question that San Antonio will continue to look at Tim this NBA season - a fact that fans and followers of Aldridge pointed out to the NBA star even prior to his decision to sign with the team.Aldridge, however, appears to be not bothered by this idea and even shrugged off the comparison made between him and Duncan.

"No, because I'm not trying to be Tim Duncan," replied Aldridge in an interview question by USA Today which asked whether he is worried about playing second in command to the San Antonio Spurs' current leader. "I'm not trying to fill his shoes. No one is going to fill his shoes."

The newly acquired San Antonio star also pointed out that he and Tim are not the same type of players, citing that his manner of playing the game is "totally different" from the NBA vet.

Aldridge was also quick to note that his entrance to the San Antonio Spurs locker room did not create any friction between him and  Duncan.

"I never had any issues with it. I think the media blew it up more, like I'm trying to fill his spot and take his role. I was like, 'No, I'm trying to be me.' I feel like me being there with Pop in the system with the guys, I should be ok," he said. 

Prior to signing with San Antonio, LaMarcus had been choosing between his current  team and the Suns. Acknowledging that going to the Suns would have made him "the face" and "the guy" in the eam, LaMarcus shared that the idea of blending in with the Spurs and having the opportunity to "play in the system" encouraged him to sign for the Duncan group.

Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs are still actively looking to add another veteran in its NBA roster. According to Fox Sports, Rasual Butler is in the running to becoming one of the  Spurs soon. The report disclosed that the former Washington Wizards star has caught the attention of the San Antonio since free agency started. 

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