Santi Aldama has tasted the honeys of success in the NBA. He was present in the biggest beating of the last 30 years in the NBA (152-79 to the Thunder on Dec. 2), signing him personally the third best +/- in the history of the League (+52). He has had quality minutes in various stretches of the season for the Grizzlies, who are one of the most pleasant surprises of the season with their third seed in the West. The Canary He has played just half of the games that the Memphis franchise has played, 27 of 54, and is averaging 3.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10 minutes. which is half on track. It is not a spectacular contact, one of those that is remembered for years, but it is one that is leaving good feelings for the next few years.
But as happened to Garuba or Ibaka, although their cases do not have much to do with it, Aldama is now part of the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ affiliate in the Development League. And the power forward signed a prodigious performance yesterday against the Iowa Wolves: 28 points with 13/19 shooting, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks which were the main argument in their team’s victory by 111 to 103. A team that, on the other hand, is not too used to winning games. He has achieved only 9 wins in 24 games.
Curiously, the two times that Aldama has played with them, yesterday and on November 18, the Hustle have won. The Spaniard averages 26 minutes on the court, 12.5 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks, in addition to being close to 50% from the field and having an immaculate 100% from free throws. There are five interiors on the Grizzlies’ roster with more playing time than him.Jaren Jackson, Steven Adams, Kyle Anderson, Brandon Clarke and Xabier Tillman, although the latter is barely three more minutes on the track. A competition that at certain times makes his coach, Taylor Jenkins, decide to send him to the G League.
But This case should not be seen as a reflection of what Garuba is experiencing In Houston. First, because The former Madrid player does not have a place in the Rockets’ rotation (He has participated in 7 games less than Aldama and with 3 minutes less on average). and second because for the canary to play in the Development Leaguea tournament far from the competitiveness and ultra-professionalism of the NBA, It doesn’t sound so strange to you. not in vain he spent two seasons in US college basketball, at Loyola Maryland University. For Garuba, who has just played a quarterfinal of the Euroleague, the final of the Endesa League and the Olympic Games, that jump back may take more time to assimilate than it is to gain momentum. And if you don’t catch it on time you can stay there. It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen to Aldama.