Will Plantar Fasciitis Plant LaMarcus Aldridge on the Pine?

Even if they somehow squeezed into the playoffs and pulled off the improbable first round upset, they would not get past the second round. Some people might argue that playoffs experience would be invaluable. Personally, I prefer the better pick they are likely to end up with.

How does the plantar fasciitis relate to the Blazers' playoff situation?

I would argue it's time for Aldridge to shut it down for this season. The methods for treating this painful condition primarily revolve around staying off the foot. Aldridge has plantar fasciitis. As recently as the Golden State game on March 2nd, he was telling an interviewer how difficult the third quarters were for him because of the extra stretching he had to do.

Now, I respect his desire to play, his willingness to sacrifice his long-term mobility in the interests of a potential long-shot playoff run for this year. However, at some point, reality needs to set in.

Portland needs Aldridge. But they need him for the next 10-12 years, not just this season. They need him healthy and productive.

Speaking from a fan's perspective, I would much rather have Aldridge shut it down for this season, give his foot some time to heal, have a trainer restructure his peculiar gait, and get ready for both next year and the one after, when Portland will be a threat to not only make the playoffs but perhaps even do some damage.

Portland with Aldridge is going to be a game or two, either way, from the .500 mark for this season. That is about their level of play. They are going to win two out of three games at home and lose the same number on the road. That is the cold, hard reality.

Portland without Aldridge will lose three to five additional games.

In the short term, sure, that will be hard for the team and the fans. But in the long run, it might actually be a good thing. Those losses will translate to a slightly higher draft pick. Next season, Portland has something like 14 players under contract. They will be getting a decent pick but their roster will not stay the same.

The Blazers are going to have too many players in the front court next year.

At center, they will have Oden and Przybilla. At forward they will have Channing Frye, Aldridge, and Travis Outlaw who can play the power forward, Outlaw, Martell Webster, James Jones, and Brandon Roy who can play the small forward, and Jones, Roy, Jarrett Jack at the shooting guard.

That is a lot of flexibility...but a lot of overkill as well. It would make more sense to package some of the overflow players and utilize a good draft pick in order to pick up a veteran presence for a run at the playoffs. The deal would only get sweeter with a better pick, which they'd get if Aldridge didn't play the rest of the season.

The only reason it makes sense is the potential long-term benefits to Aldridge if he can rest his foot, find a solution to the problems, and come back healthy.

He is too competitive and dedicated a player to stop playing on his own. This is a good opportunity for Portland to play their best, win as much as they can, yet still lose a bit in the short term for long term benefits. It is a tough call.

How do you ask a team to sacrifice the best year possible?

You certainly do not want to lay down and quit as some teams have done in the past. But if you can help a player's career and unintentionally yet intentionally benefit the organization by doing so...maybe the organization needs to step in and put him on the pine for the remainder of the year. I would hate to see that happen, but it might be wise.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?