BLAZERS Report: Aldridge making most of time not on court Wednesday, October 18, 2006 By BRIAN HENDRICKSON Columbian staff writer PORTLAND -- LaMarcus Aldridge still feels he's developing, even though the No. 2 overall pick in last summer's NBA Draft has yet to step onto the court this preseason. The 6-foot-11 Trail Blazers rookie is still rehabilitating from shoulder surgery performed last summer. He just started taking mid-range jump shots this week, and while he was originally expected to return in late November, the Blazers are not currently placing a time frame on his return. Aldridge said he has learned to appreciate what he can learn while not playing. "I'm just paying attention, trying to learn everything I can from the other guys, so when I come back, I'm able to pick it up faster," Aldridge said. "I think in order to be a good basketball player, you have to understand the system, you have to know the plays and know your players. And I think by me watching I have a chance to do all those things at one time." Aldridge knows from prior experience how much development can occur during rehab. After missing the final 15 games of his freshman year at Texas with a hip injury, Aldridge used the time off to develop a hook shot and correct the mechanics on his jump shot. It resulted in a blockbuster sophomore year in which he averaged 15.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks and was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. "I've already been through it once, so I know how to be patient," Aldridge said. "I know if I don't rush it I'll be better in the end. I'm just trying to learn everything I can right now and try to get stronger." Magloire's start an experiment Blazers coach Nate McMillan said he started Jamaal Magloire at center against Golden State in place of Joel Przybilla Tuesday night to see if the Blazers' size is capable of disrupting a smaller, quicker team like the Warriors. "If they're (Magloire and Randolph) going to play together, these are the type teams we'll have to face," McMillan said. "They have the quickness, we have the size, and are we able to take advantage of our size? Or does that speed cause some problems with this type of lineup." Warriors center Troy Murphy and power forward Mike Dunleavy are both non-traditional players for their positions. Both are mobile and have deep range on their jumpshots, making them difficult defensive matchups. So McMillan said he needs to explore ways for the Blazers to take advantage of those players' lack of size. Still status quo for Miles Darius Miles continued to rehab his surgically repaired right knee this week, and McMillan said there is still no timetable for his return. In fact, McMillan won't say if he expects Miles to be ready for the season opener. "Like I've said earlier, with Darius and LaMarcus and Raeford (LaFrentz), they're not ready to play," McMillan said of the three injured Blazers. "The focus is to get the guys on the court ready to go. ... My focus is really not on those guys until they're ready to come back." Miles has yet to run this fall, and McMillan said there has been no discussions about working him into one-on-one drills -- considered one of the first steps for returning to practice. McMillan said Miles has only participated in shooting workouts and weight training, and agreed that it was a sign that Miles is not close to returning. http://www.columbian.com/sports/localNews/10182006news68491.cfm --

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