Damian Lillard campaigns for Trail Blazers to retire LaMarcus Aldridge’s number after shocking retirement

On Thursday, Brooklyn Nets big man LaMarcus Aldridge announced his decision to retire from the NBA following a scary health issue.

Consequently, Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard made it clear he wants to see the Blazers retire Aldridge’s number.

“There’s no denying the kind of career he had in Portland, and what he meant to this city,” he said. “I think that’s the proper respect, to the retire that jersey because of who he was and what he did for this organization.”

Aldridge, was the No. 2 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.

The big man played for the Blazers for the first nine years of his career. As a matter of fact, Aldridge made a name for himself in Portland.

The veteran averaged 19.4 points, 8.4 boards and 1.9 assists per contest as a member of the Blazers. He played a pivotal role in helping the Blazers reach the playoffs in five seasons.

He put up 22.1 points 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 rejections per game with the Blazers in the postseason.

Lillard, 30, played alongside Aldridge for three years.