LaMarcus Aldridge: Aldridge (thigh) traveling with Spurs

The new Spurs players, which feature a number of names including LaMarcus Aldridge and David West, are expected to be in uniform on Thursday against the Kings, alongside Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Kyle Anderson. But he was overruled by head coach Gregg Popovich who, per Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News, responded to Aldridge’s reluctance to sit with an all-timer, saying “Welcome to the Spurs”. The veteran forward may be used to playing through minor injuries, and he may have felt like he could still practice.

However, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is known for resting players, wouldn’t let him participate.

Aldridge is 30 now and has logged heavy minutes throughout his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, but if he wants to play in the National Basketball Association for another decade like his teammate Tim Duncan, he’ll have to get started immediately on the Spurs’ limited minutes plan.

In this instance, it isn’t a bad idea to sit Aldridge.

Aldridge gutted through a torn wrist ligament last season that required surgery, so he’s hardly one to back away from a little pain.