Just the facts. Isn't that the saying? That's how the truth comes out? The problem is "just the facts" never tells just one story; there are many ways to interpret sets of facts, so there are many stories that one set of facts tells and it's up to us to determine which narrative we choose to believe. LA's free agency is no different. There is a set of facts (and we don't know all of them, which makes choosing a narrative all the more difficult), and we individually have to decide how to interpret those and choose the story that best jibes with our own conscience.

Choice is what it all comes down to, and make no mistake about it, itisa choice. The facts are just the facts, and we decide on what those mean. We've heard what facts we can of LA's departure, and I've spent the last couple of days digesting them and coming to terms what narrative I'm going to believe. No doubt, Aldridge's leaving is a bitter pill to swallow, and can easily leave someone feeling angry and resentful towards both the Blazers' management and LaMarcus himself. For me though, I'm choosing a different story.

It seems pretty obvious that the Roy/Oden debacle, followed by the Feltdown, and years of playing second (sometimes even third) fiddle to players that couldn't stay on the court left a bad taste in LA's mouth. The Blazers just couldn't seem to pull it all together to have a decent contending team. Now he was dealing with a new GM and Head Coach, and while they had a couple of good draft picks (Dame and Meyers), the lack of quality players filling out the rest of the roster meant the 2012-13 season was apparently being written off. A mere 33 wins for the season, and the 27 year old Aldridge could feel his prime slipping away. This was when, I expect, LaMarcus seriously started thinking about leaving.

We all heard the stories about how disgruntled LA was, the talk that he might demand a trade. Neil Olshey brought in Rolo to appease LA, and it worked to a degree. LaMarcus had the help down low that he wanted; and a 54 win, second round appearance seemed to satisfy him. But, one good year in a sea of bad ones does is not a cure all. He had lingering doubts about staying, so he divested himself of his Portland commitments and declined a contract extension. If the Blazers had a good next season he could always reacquire them, and if they didn't then it would make it easier to leave.

Fast forward to last season, the Blazers got off to another hot start. Even injuries to Rolo and Freeland wouldn't slow them down. The Blazers were chugging along so well that a potentially season ending thumb injury was ignored by LA to keep on the path to the WCF. As the trade deadline approached, Olshey was faced with a choice: either assume LA was going to leave and start blowing it up by trading him, or throw the dice on trying to keep him by bringing in some more talent for the playoffs. Sitting on a record of 36-17 at the trade deadline, Neil decided to throw the dice by bringing in Arron Afflalo. The Blazers responded by pushing their record to 40-19.

March 5th, 2015. A heartbreaking date for Blazers fans. Two minutes in to the third quarter, Wes Matthews blows out his Achilles tendon and is gone for the season. What we didn't know at the time was that that game against Dallas would be Wes' last game as a Blazer. As season wore on, Aldridge's demeanor changed as injury after injury would pile up on the Blazers' squad, leaving them devastated for an ill fated meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs. Two blowout games in Memphis and LA's unhappiness was written all over his face. Two more losses in the next three games, and the season was done.

At that point, LaMarcus had to have been talking with his agent about all of his options, and staying with the Blazers was going to be difficult. The odds of Matthews returning to form from his injury were long and the raises he and Lopez were due would mean the starters would eat up the entire salary cap, leaving nothing left for the bench. Even if Paul Allen would be willing to go in to the luxury tax, he'd be unwilling to do so for a player with such a debilitating injury as Wes', having just paid off Brandon Roy's contract. Mediocrity was all that was left. The writing was on the wall, this team was done.

Unfortunately, the position the Blazers were in was a difficult one. I believe LA informed them before the Batum trade that he was probably on his way out and that, barring any miracles, he intended to sign with the Spurs. I also believe, out of loyalty to the organization he gave nine years of his professional career to, that he agreed to drag the free agency process out some, despite the anguish it would cause fans. I think he did this for two reasons. One, Olshey might pull off a miracle and sign the people necessary to get the Blazers over the hump, unlikely as that might be; and two, teams pursuing him would be clearing cap space andnotpursing other free agents, giving the Blazers a better shot at signing the players necessary for a quick rebuild.

谎言是一个谎言告诉欺骗的意图e, and I don't believe there were any outright lies told by anyone, just half truths; very carefully worded of statements surrounding Aldridge's free agency. Olshey hadnotbeen officially informed that LaMarcus wasn't coming back, because you don't get that until the free agent officially selects the team they're going to play for. "Just tell them it's not true. You and I know where we're at", is also a true statement. LA had not officially told Olshey he wouldn't be coming back, and had given the parameters required for his return if Neil could pull off the requisite miracles. Unfortunately the one shot available, Monroe, chose to sign with the Bucks instead.

The narrative I choose for this off season is similar to the breakup of a long marriage where the love has died, but the couple in question don't hate each other. Both involved are still wanting love, unwilling to settle for like, and both realize that the other won't make them happy . I have no doubt that Aldridge likes and respects the Blazers' organization, Paul Allen, Neil Olshey, and Terry Stotts. I have no doubts that the feelings are mutual coming from the Blazers, but in the end they need to part ways to be able to move forward. Much like a divorce, one can mourn what was and what might have been, but at the same time be relieved that it's over and optimistic for the future.

I'm sorry to see LA go, but I have no ill will towards him. He did what he felt was best for him, and I can't fault him for that. I'm happy to have had him for as long as we did, and wish him nothing but the best. As I've been writing this, Manu Ginobili has announced he'll be back for the Spurs and David West has taken a pay cut from 12 million to the league minimum to play in San Antonio. Looks like the Spurs are back to being favorites for a title again. I hope LaMarcus gets the title he's looking for. Unless the road for said title goes through Portland. If it does, I hope his backside isn't too sore from the spanking the Blazers will lay on him with a series sweep. Good Luck LA.