Sekou Smith of NBA.com... "Someone foolishly asked LaMarcus Aldridge if he was tired, if he'd had enough of trying to carry the load for the Portland Trail Blazers on offense and guarding Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki on defense. It wasn't meant as a slight to Aldridge, it was simply an observation. Aldridge is playing 43 minutes a night, toting a huge load as the Blazers' No. 1 offensive option and is charged with trading elbows and forearm shivers with not only Nowitzki but also Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood. And now, with the Blazers' season on the line tonight at the Rose Garden in a win-or-go-home Game 6 in this first round playoff series, you want to know if the budding star is gassed? "That's what I do, I play both ends of the floor, that's the type of player I am," Aldridge said, responding to the initial query with one eyebrow raised slightly. "I'm fine. Both teams are a little beat up and tired. It's a physical series. I just have to take care of my body and I'll be fine."