Quotes from LaMarcus Aldridge

I struggle with playing low minutes and trying to keep a rhythm. I've just never been able to do it.

My coach, Robert Allen, helped me a lot. He had more influence on my growth as a player than anyone else.

When I think about it, it's kind of weird, but I do take shots without looking at the rim sometimes.

I want to be the best Blazer - ever.

I feel like, I go out and play hard every day and I'm going to practice every day, I'm going to block shots.

I think my wingspan helps me out on defense, because I can cover a little more ground and block a few more shots.

I feel like everything with me gets blown out of proportion. I think it's because I'm so quiet about things that people just run with anything they hear.

I feel bad saying this but, I can't eat that because I'm on a diet. So, if I'm eating breakfast tacos, I'm not going to play well.

I like my little shell. I like my little circle of three or four people that I'm close to. I think that comes off as bad to people that don't really know my personality.

I feel like half the battle is not giving up and staying positive. If you don't have anyone in your corner or anyone in your ear, being positive helps you believe that you can get through it.

I'm a very good 15- to 18-foot shooter.

When I was younger, I used to spend a lot of time either by myself or with my mom. But when I hit high school, she really became one of my close friends.

When I got to the NBA, picking and popping came so natural for me.

I love Portland and I have so much history there and I knew it like the back of my hand, so the decision to leave was never easy.

I think working so hard in Portland to earn the right to have it be my team and to have my own team over the years and try to play at a high level, that was hard-earned.

I miss playing basketball and the city of Portland and the Rose Garden.

I feel like, of course, Portland didn't want me to leave, but I feel like at the end of the day it's good to have a fresh start.

When I was really rolling in Portland, I was top five in minutes.

I'm actually a better passer out of the post than I am in pick-and-rolls.

It was never about trying to make the All-Star Game. It's about being back at that high level to help a team win.

I'm a fighter. So if you're going to doubt me or say that I can't do something, I'm going to prove to you I can do it.

I don't really need bulk, just strength. I can get strong without putting on weight.

You have to do your job and put your best foot forward and focus on what you have to do to win.

My first car was an '86 Honda Prelude. It was redone, so it had a new motor, new paint, rims... but it wasn't nearly as much as my Range Rover.