Credit to LaMarcus Aldridge. After a storied 15-year career with five All-NBA selections and seven All-Star berths, the Dallas native did the right thing.
With perhaps his best opportunity to date to come away with glimmering hardware — rings, trophies, recognition, and all the rest — Aldridge chose a life of family, friends, security, and good health over the glory. LaMarcus listened to his body, that harrowing sense of fear he so distinctly described during his retirement letter, and chose to avoid pushing through a heart condition. That in itself deserves the same level of recognition we’ve paid to his other accomplishments — you know, the things he’s done on the court.