That approach has evoked comparisons to Rasheed Wallace, the Detroit Pistons' forward.

"Baby 'Sheed," Aldridge said. "That's what everybody calls me."

Aldridge has helped Portland reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003 with a shot he began developing in 2005 as a Longhorn freshman while recovering from a season-ending injury to his left hip that required surgery.

Hoping to reconstruct a balky release, Aldridge launched shots while sitting on a stool.

He was injured on Jan. 15, 2005 . He underwent surgery on March 1. For more than two months, beginning in mid-February, Aldridge worked on his shot while sitting down.

The stool was his idea. He credits Longhorn coach Rick Barnes for the technique.

"He said, 'If you are gonna do it, let's work on your form,'" Aldridge said before the Blazers faced the Spurs Wednesday. "'Let's get it up high.'"

From mid-February until the Longhorns finished their season a month later, Aldridge would arrive at the practice court at least 30 minutes before his teammates. He would remain after most of them left for the day. First Aldridge tried sitting on a box. He soon switched to a stool. He would start out shooting two or three feet from the basket, working his way back to near the three-point line.

"He would do that every day, for the entire practice," Longhorn strength coach Todd Wright said.

Barnes recalled the sessions as an example of why Aldridge, 23, is widely regarded around the NBA as a future all-star.

"He's one of the most mature kids, if not the most mature, I've ever had," Barnes said. "I shouldn't call him a kid. He's not. He's always been disciplined and analytical."

Aldridge left school in 2006 after his sophomore season, when he averaged 15 points and 9.2 rebounds.

He was selected by Chicago with the second pick of the draft and sent to Portland in a trade that included the No. 4 selection, Tyrus Thomas of LSU.

Portland coach Nate McMillan told the Oregonian newspaper in 2007 that he noticed Aldridge's determination during a pre-draft workout.

"I thought we went hard, and the other guys we brought in to work out with him, they died," McMillan said. "After it was over boom, they bolted. LaMarcus, he stayed after and continued to work out."

Aldridge, now in his third season, produces 18.4 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. He has averaged 22.6 points and 9.4 rebounds in the last 10 games.

He scored 35 at Oklahoma City on April 3, also snagging 18 rebounds, with Barnes in the building watching.

The 240-pound Aldridge initially used his perimeter shot, offensive rebounding and fast-break dunks as weapons of choice in the NBA.

He has since become more reliable at driving and posting up inside.

Aldridge converted 10 of 13 shots during a 95-83 victory in San Antonio Wednesday. His first five field goals were perimeter jumpers, the best shots available because the Spurs paid Aldridge the respect of using two defenders against him around the basket. In the third quarter he shook loose to make four shots inside.

McMillan predicted before the game that Aldridge's recent success would induce opponents to double-team him.

"Then he'll have to make another adjustment," McMillan said. "He'll have to learn how to pass out of the double team, learn to make those reads, very similar to Tim (Duncan)."

Even as a work in progress, Aldridge has provided enough to help Portland, the second youngest team in the NBA, make it back to the playoffs.

The Blazers are considered earmarked for long-term success with a nucleus of Aldridge, 24-year-old all-star guard Brandon Roy and second-year center Greg Oden. That's providing the oft-injured Oden can spend a lot more time on the court than he has so far.

McMillan envisions Aldridge becoming a dominating player at both ends of the court.

"You are talking about a guy who can shoot the ball, who can post up, who shoots free throws well," McMillan said. "A guy who can run the floor, a guy who can guard inside, who can guard the perimeter, who can rebound, who blocks shots.

"Once he puts it all together, he can really control games."

Aldridge smiled when a reporter relayed that assessment to him.

"Well, we're on the same page then," he said. "That's always good."

mrosner@statesman.com; 445-3958