Aldridge: 'If we put defense first, we can do anything'

Blazer forward says healthy Oden will make his job easier

By Steve Brandon

The Portland Tribune, Sep 29, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

LaMarcus Aldridge figures he can put up similar numbers this season — he averaged 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds last season — and he's out to show he's a premier forward in the NBA.

ROCKY WIDNER / GETTY IMAGES

Summer was not LaMarcus Aldridge’s favorite season.

He found it hard waiting for what might be a breakthrough year.

“It’s like summer took forever,” Aldridge said Monday, on the eve of Trail Blazer training camp.

Aldridge sees 2008-09 as a potentially big season for both him and the Blazers.

Expectations for the team are way above the rim, and Aldridge says he agrees with the optimism, on one condition.

“We can be good this year, but we have to focus on defense,” he says. “I think our offense will come easier than our defense.

“We feel like if we put defense first, we can do anything.”

And the defense, with the addition of Greg Oden, can be pretty good, he says.

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