Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge Goes Scoreless As West Wins 2013 All-Star Game

The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 143-138, in the 2013 All-Star Game at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday night.

Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge finished with zero points, four rebounds, one assist and two blocks on zero-for-two shooting in 11 minutes. Aldridge played the fewest minutes of any player on the Western Conference squad aside from San Antonio Spurs forward/center Tim Duncan, who recently suffered a minor knee injury.

Aldridge had four points, one rebound and one assist on two-for-five shooting in nine minutes in the 2012 All-Star Game.

Here's Aldridge's post-game comments. He spoke briefly but he wasn't salty like last year. He was in good spirits despite the quiet night and said he had no problems with his playing time.

Here's a partial transcript of his comments.

This year compared to last year

Just overall more comfortable. This was my second time around. I knew the ropes. I wasn't as anxious this time. I knew everybody here and I was more comfortable this time.

Hard to get touches as a big man

Especially if you don't dunk a lot, which I don't. I thought I had good shots.

You didn't want to bring the ball up after a rebound to try to score?

Nah. We were trying to win tonight. I wasn't trying to do that.

All-Star Game fulfill your expectations?

Just coming out, having fun, being around the guys, being around those guys, talking to them, rubbing elbows with them, it's big for me.

Chris Paul

He played great. Any time you have 20 points and 15 [assists] that's big.

Why didn't you smile during introduction?

I didn't? I couldn't see. Those lights were kind of bright. I was trying to look out. Next year, I'll smile next year.

Biggest takeaway from weekend

Just seeing how these guys lead. How Kobe played defense late in the fourth quarter. Watching these guys who are leaders for years and years. Taking that leadership and trying to incorporate it into the second half of my season.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter