Hands off our Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge is spending his offseason in Texas working out. Turns out he's also mixing in charity events at bowling alleys with other world-class athletes.

I spotted Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson chatting with Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge last night.

Oh, how I wish this was evidence that there was a possibility that the Mavs could manage to pry Aldridge away from Portland. But it's not. Donnie and Aldridge, a Seagoville native and swell guy, were just shooting the bull at Cowboys tight end Jason Witten's SCORE Foundation 2008 All-Star Bowl.

"It was all spares and strikes," Aldridge said of the conversation.

I imagine the Mavericks would love to bring in a talented, homegrown guy like LaMarcus, but it ain't going to happen. The Blazers are in the position to get some serious payback against the Mavs, and Aldridge is a big part of that.