LaMarcus Aldridge announced today that he is retiring from the NBA.
In a post via his Twitter account, Aldridge wrote that he was retiring because in the last game he played, he was dealing with an irregular heartbeat.
“My last game, I played while dealing with an irregular heartbeat. Later on that night, my rhythm got even worse which really worried me even more,” Aldridge wrote. “The next morning, I told the team what was going on and they were great getting me to the hospital and getting me checked out.
“Though I’m better now, what I felt with my heart that night was till one of the scariest things I’ve experienced. With that being said, I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from the NBA. For 15 years, I’ve put basketball first, and now it is time to put my health and family first.”
Nets GM Sean Marks issued a statement in the wake of Aldridge’s announcement that read, in part: “The Nets organization fully supports LaMarcus’ decision, and while we value what he has brought to our team during his short time in Brooklyn, his health and well being are far more important than the game of basketball. We know this was not an easy decision for him, but after careful consideration and consultation with numerous medical experts, he has made the best decision for him, his family and for his life after basketball.”
Aldridge played in five games with the Nets, his last being a 126-101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, on April 10.
The Nets added Aldridge on March 28 as a free agent after reaching a buyout agreement with the San Antonio Spurs.
Aldridge bolstered a Nets squad already led by All-Stars Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden
Aside from adding the 35-year old Aldridge, the Nets also picked up former All-Star big man Blake Griffin via the buyout market to fill out a talented frontline.
Aldridge is a 15-year NBA veteran and seven-time NBA All-Star with successful stints in Portland and San Antonio, prior to his arrival in Brooklyn.
He averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 blocks in his time with the Nets.
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