LaMarcus Aldridge is considered by many the brightest star in the 2015 NBA free agent sweepstakes. He made a big change to the San Antonio Spurs after spending his first 9 years in the league with the Portland Trail Blazers. There are many stories and oodles of speculation as to why he made the move. But, now that he has, it might be more interesting to speculate about what’s going to happen next.
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By the numbers LA was a great match in Portland. The management, players, and staff went the extra mile to accommodate him. The Portland Trail Blazers primary numbers are 9 (90), 5 and 4. Terry Stotts are 5, 9 and 5. LA’s are 9 (90), 2 (11) and 7. The primary Numbers for the San Antonio Spurs are 8 ,8 and 9.
Coach Gregg Popovich’s are 5,7 and 2. The influence of the 9 can work for or against him, and 8 is the number of assertiveness, authority, and use of power. These are all things he is learning to integrate into his game. It’s also one of his karmic number lessons.
I have previously touched on the lighter side of LA’s numbers, so emphasis here is given to the downside. The 7 number often indicates a more reclusive and reserved personality, where feelings are highly protected by mental processing rather than being openly and freely expressed. With the 90=9 there’s the likelihood of mood fluctuations, emotional oversensitivity, and idealism as an escape from hurt feelings. There can be an inclination toward martyrdom.
The downside of an 11(2) is similar. That includes being oversensitive to social and personal criticism, indecisiveness, and pettiness, rather than exhibiting mature emotional processing. When 2 appears in a chart that person is often seen as “wishy washy” or “flaky.”
Part of LA’s inner child did not feel he received his fair share of acknowledgement in his formative years. He overcompensates by idealization and creating mental pictures of what he believes he deserves, rather than healing emotional pain that lingers within. Rather than directly confronting and resolving his emotional issues in a mature manner, he weighs the perceived rejection against his mentally and ideally-measured expectations.
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In reaction to the perceived “slights,” he internalizes anger into what I call “passive piss.” Passive piss is based on an unconscious internal rationalization rooted in the inner child. It says: “You didn’t give me what I needed so I’m not going to give you want you want from me.” This process could be seen in his meltdown at the end in the final games of the Memphis series, in last season’s playoffs, and his distancing from teammates. There were other previous, but less conspicuous, episodes.
Gregg Popovich is a hugely successful NBA coach. He’s well respected and accomplished. Despite his rough exterior, his players give him their all. His numbers are all mental and indicative of a cerebral and analytical approach to life, leadership, and the game. That isn’t the combination of a “touchy feely” kind of person. He is widely perceived as sardonic, serious, and at times, sarcastic. Those words fit with his numerical profile. Underneath the rough exterior, there’s a wise and superb motivator.
On numerous occasions LA has been described in the press as having great admiration and idealized respect for Popovich. There’s a childish “Golly Gee!” naiveté written on his face and reflected in his actions. As long as there’s mutual respect and admiration, they will get along and LA could be a great fit for the Spurs. But if the ideal bubble bursts, the relationship can quickly sour into dissension and, even, into intolerance
Will Aldridge be able to deflect Popovich’s critical and sarcastic style and play at a high level? LA is not an aggressive leader and he will not carry the team. He can be whiny and demanding. Can “Pop” work with this and still make the team concept work?
There’s a chance they could find a mutual thread of communication through the 2 and 7 that they have in common. Will LA respond to “Pops” tough love with a maturing response? Will he be able to work through his fragile self-image and major insecurities?
This old, retired therapist, numerologist, and longtime observer of human nature says there’ll be turmoil and tension in the long run. I’ll be surprised if the Spurs get a title with Aldridge.
LA signed a 4-year contract. The numbers I see indicate that (most likely) he won’t be there that long. There’s an option at Year 3 and he may not even make it that far. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see LA go home to Dallas before his career is over.
