Aldridge makes All-NBA Third Team

LaMarcus Aldridge may not have made the All-Star team this year, but by season’s end, he found himself in even more exclusive company. The NBA announced today that the Trail Blazers power forward was selected to the 2010-11 All NBA Third Team.

Aldridge averaged career highs of 21.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.16 blocks per game this year, earned Western Conference Player of the Month honors for February and was twice named conference Player of the Week.

“It is great to see LaMarcus rewarded for all of his hard work and effort,” Blazers general manager Rich Cho said in a release. “He took his game to another level this year. Not only did he have an outstanding season, but he also emerged as our leader and one of the best players in the league.”

Aldridge became the first Blazer to score at least 36 points in three consecutive games, doing so from Feb. 7-13. He posted a career high 42 points in a win over the Bulls just six days after posting a then-career high of 40 vs. the Spurs.

Aldridge becomes the sixth player in franchise history to earn All-NBA honors, joining Bill Walton (1976-78), Maurice Lucas (1977-78), Jim Paxson (1983-84), Clyde Drexler (1987-88, 1989-92) and Brandon Roy (2008-10).

Miami forward LeBron James, Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, Orlando center Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Chicago guard Derrick Rose were named the 2010-11 All-NBA First Team by a panel of 119 sportswriters and broadcasters.

L.A. Lakers forward Pau Gasol, Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, New York center Amar’e Stoudemire, Miami guard Dwyane Wade and Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook received All-NBA Second Team honors.

Joining Aldridge on the All-NBA Third Team are Memphis forward Zach Randolph, Atlanta center Al Horford, San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili and New Orleans guard Chris Paul.