Popovich was right in his depiction of free agency as a needless dog-and-pony show -- midnight phone calls and meetings, overdone recruiting pitches, fancy presentations about branding and image and all the bells and whistles that Pop and the Spurs have long stood steadfastly against. In Aldridge, Popovich found a kindred basketball spirit, a 29-year-old who is serious about the game, dedicated to his craft and inquisitive beyond his years.
At a time on the NBA calendar flooded with flash and dash but often devoid of substance, Popovich found a willing dance partner who cared about the same things. In San Antonio, it's all about basketball and legacy, and it just so happened that those were the two most important things to Aldridge, too.