Two years in, the marriage between LaMarcus Aldridge and the San Antonio Spurs seemed headed toward a divorce. A choppy transition personally and professionally had Aldridge heading for the exits in the minds of just about everyone around the NBA. The only question: Would it be his choice, or San Antonio's?
But on the eve of the regular season, the Spurs signed Aldridge to a contract extension - a stunning move considering that for months, everyone had been so unhappy. Why the change of heart?
In short, the Spurs changed their approach with Aldridge, hoping that that would repair the relationship and improve his production. In return, he's rewarded them with a season worthy of being in the discussion for the NBA's most valuable player award.
"As discussions went on, it became apparent to me that it really was me," Popovich told reporters last week, referring to offseason discussions between him and Aldridge. "He'd been playing in the league for nine years. I'm not going to turn him into some other player. I could do some things defensively or rebounding-wise. But on offense, I was going to move him everywhere. That was just silly on my part - total overcoaching.
"So, we took care of it, and he's been fantastic."
Aldridge has certainly been that, delivering the kind of numbers — 22.4 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and better than 80 percent from the foul line — everyone expected from the moment he arrived in San Antonio.
The Spurs have needed every bit of that production. Kawhi Leonard has played only nine games, missing the first two months as he dealt with tendinopathy in his right quad, an injury that the Spurs announced Wednesday will indefinitely sideline Leonard again.
Teams are supposed to struggle when playing without one of the five best players in the world. Instead, San Antonio has cruised along, with Wednesday's 100-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets keeping them on pace to win 50 or more games for the 18th straight season.
So what has changed for Aldridge? After averaging fewer than 15 shots per game each of the past two seasons, Aldridge is averaging close to 18, more in line with his attempts while a perennial all-star with the Portland Trail Blazers.
But as Popovich pointed out, Aldridge is getting back to the places on the court where he feels most comfortable. While he is shooting more three-pointers than he has in all but one other season of his career, the Spurs have made a concerted effort to get him the ball inside. His post-ups have increased from 32 percent a year ago to 41 percent this season, per Synergy Sports tracking data, and his offensive rebounds are up to a career-best 3.4 per game, a full rebound more than last year.
The changes have led to a lot of games such as Wednesday's in Brooklyn, when Aldridge had 34 points on 13 for 24 shooting to go with eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 38 minutes.
"Aldridge is a beast in there," Nets Coach Kenny Atkinson said. "He's tough to deal with.
"He's a heck of a player."
The Spurs remembered that, too, and found a way to make it work with Aldridge.