Aldridge pledges $1,000 a point vs. Spurs for Japanese relief efforts

Spurs Nation will have at least one reason to hope that LaMarcus Aldridge has a big game against the their team Friday night in Portland, while still  rooting for a Spurs victory.

Aldridge has joined NBA standouts Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Rose of Chicago and Al Horford of Atlantafrom their Friday games to Japanese relief efforts from the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Direct Relief International announced the initiative, which will provide medical care for those affected by the disaster. Direct Relief created the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund in partnership with the Japanese American Citizens League.

“When disaster strikes we are all on the same team,” Rose said in a statement. “Right now we’re all pulling for the people of Japan.  Through the good work of Direct Relief International and other organizations in this country, we need to step up and help however we can.”

Its a noble cause that we should all endorse.

And considering that Aldridge ripped  the Spurs for 40 points in his last game against them on Feb. 1  — with Tim Duncan in the lineup — the relief efforts might get a big contribution from the former University of Texas standout after Friday’s game.