LaMarcus Aldridge references Tom Brady in second retirement

LaMarcus Aldridge has called it quits — again –after a 16-season NBA career.

Similar to Tom Brady, another No. 12, this was the second time the seven-time All-Star has announced a retirement.

“In the words of TB12, you only get one big, emotional retirement… so, on that note…I’m thankful for all the memories, family and friends I made throughout my career,” Aldridge tweeted out on Friday afternoon. “It was one hell of a ride and I enjoyed every min!”

The 37-year-old center has not played this season.

Brady retired from the NFL after the 2022 season, his 23rd, after winning seven Super Bowls with the Buccaneers and Patriots — and a 40-day retirement following the 2021 season.

Aldridge stepped away from the game momentarily during the 2020-2021 season after being concerned about his 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. 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,” He wrote on social media back in 2021.

“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’s time to put my health and family first.”

Once he was medically cleared to return to play, however, he re-joined the Nets on a one-year deal, averaging 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in what turned out to be his final professional season.

Coming out of his playing career at Texas, Aldridge was picked second overall in the 2006 draft by the Blazers.

He would spend nine seasons in Portland before signing with the Spurs in 2015.

Aldridge’s best seasons were his last two in Portland from 2013-15, in which he averaged 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds, which was followed by 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds.

Overall, the Texas native averaged 19.1 points and 8.1 rebounds through the entirety of his career, making for a solid tenure.

Now the question is if Aldridge did enough to earn a spot in the Hall of Fame or not; according to Basketball Reference, he has a 50.9% of making it.