USA - In-form Aldridge more motivated than ever

PORTLAND (NBA/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - After struggling over the last two seasons and missing out on the playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers are now back in the NBA spotlight.

With 36 wins and 18 losses, the Blazers are currently fifth in the highly-competitive Western Conference and look headed towards their first post-season appearance since 2010-11.

The main reasons for the team's rebirth are its collective teamwork and the outstanding performances by the franchise's leading players, LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard.

The pair were rewarded for their excellent play during the first half of the season by being named Western Conference reserves at last weekend's NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans.

This came a month after they were included in the 28-player roster USA Basketball named last month for the 2014-16 cycle of national team competitions.

Now in his ninth season, Aldridge has affirmed himself as one of the best big men in the league with career-highs of 23.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.

"This season has been going very well for me. I am fitter than ever and very motivated to have the best season of my career so far,” Aldridge told FIBA.com.

"I felt frustrated in the last two seasons because we weren't playing well, but this feeling is gone now. I am happy to be here and excited to help the franchise grow."

After seeing his name regularly involved in trade rumors until last season, the 2.11m big man is now feeling right at home in Oregon and has taken charge of the team.

"I have a lot of responsibilities now and I am ready to assume my leadership. I feel very comfortable, and I worked hard on my game last summer in order to become one of the leaders of the team," he said.

"I am more mature, more solid and a more complete player than last year. But that is only important if you make your team win games."

The three-time All-Star is also satisfied about the way things have been going for the Blazers since the beginning of the season.

"We have a very talented group of players. We have Damian Lillard, who is one of the best point guards of the league, Nicolas Batum who is one of the best defensive players in the NBA and we have a very strong bench," Aldridge pointed out.

"We have been doing well so far and we have enormous potential as the roster is still very young. We are working hard to be one of the best teams in the NBA."

Even if Portland have slipped from first to fifth in the Western Conference in recent weeks, the 28-year-old still believes in the possibility of winning a title this season.

"We have all the ingredients to fight for the title. We have beaten most of the contenders in the regular season and we are not afraid of any team. Winning the ring is our goal," he stated.

Following an intense season with the Blazers, Aldridge could be in for a busy summer if he is selected to play at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain (30 August-14 September).

"I am honoured to be part of this group of players. I am also happy to know that my teammate Damian Lillard is included on the roster," said Aldridge.

"We are the best players in the country and we need to represent the USA proudly. I am looking forward to the challenge of making the team, and am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country."

Aldridge had been a strong candidate to make the 2010 team that went on to win the USA's first world championship since 1994, but dropped out before the national team camp due to personal reasons. Two years later, he was also a finalist for the 2012 Olympic team that took gold in London, but ultimately missed out because he was sidelined with a hip injury.

"We have been talking about the draw with my teammates Victor Claver (Spain) and Nicolas Batum (France)," Aldrige said.

"I am sure that the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain is going to be a wonderful competition, and I hope that the USA will keep their title."

FIBA