In 2010, four years into a rapidly blossoming NBA career, LaMarcus Aldridge faced a health crisis. His mother, Georgia, was diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis she shared with her youngest son just days before he was set to report to training camp in Portland. Aldridge, family members told me back then, was a rock. He told them it was his responsibility to keep her spirits up, a role he took as seriously as he did his duties as the Trail Blazers' budding franchise player.
Aldridge retired from the NBA on Thursday, citing an irregular heartbeat he felt during Brooklyn’s game against the Lakers last Saturday, a rhythm that got worse later that evening.