Jeff Zillgitt

USA TODAY Sports

TORONTO – Vindication might be too strong a word, but San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge appreciated his fifth All-Star appearance.

“It means a lot because honestly I didn’t know if I’d get in without the same numbers,” he said.

Aldridge left the Portland Trail Blazers in the offseason and signed a four-year, $84 million contract with the Spurs. This is the sacrifice he made: a drop in his scoring and rebounding averages in exchange for a chance to win a championship.

In 49 games this season, Aldridge is averaging 17 points and 8.4 rebounds and shooting 50.4% from the field and 83.8% on foul shots. And the Spurs are winning. They are 45-8 and not far behind Golden State’s 48-4.

“It’s about winning,” he said. “We’ve been winning and we’re putting ourselves in a position to be special. That’s what it’s about."

In his final two seasons with Portland, Aldridge averaged at least 23 points and 10 rebounds, but he is no longer a double-double guy and no longer a regular 20-point scorer. Aldridge still produces and coaches recognized that, voting him in as an All-Star reserve.

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“To be seen as still valuable and still one of the top players in the league even though I’m not averaging 25, that’s pretty nice,” he said.

Winning is the objective, but Aldridge admitted, “When you do something for nine years, that’s who you are.”

He was a scorer and rebounder and the focal point on offense with the Blazers. That's not how the Spurs play.

It's not an easy sacrifice, and it’s not always easy for a new player to fit in, especially on a team such as the Spurs. Chris Bosh was that guy in Miami with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and figured it out. Kevin Love is that player in Cleveland with James and Kyrie Irving.

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No matter how important winning is, a drop in production of traditional stats is still difficult for some players.

“He started out as any new person would in a new system with news players – a little bit unsure (and) deferred to other players,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “But as time went along, he felt more comfortable with his place on the team. Guys created an environment where he could feel that comfort, and he’s gotten to the point now where he’s playing pretty freely and understanding what we want to do.”

Aldridge’s field goal percentage has increased each month of the season, and his scoring has increased from the start of the season to the All-Star break. In six games this month, Aldridge is averaging 25.5 points and 6.7 rebounds.

“It’s still a process. … I definitely have my moments still,” Aldridge said. “I know at the end of the day, I want to win and I’m winning.”