The San Antonio Spurs should’ve featured LaMarcus Aldridge a lot more during the postseason, and they’ll most likely correct that mistake next year. Head coach Gregg Popovich might not have Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili in the lineup when training camp starts. That will be a big adjustment for the Spurs, and they should be prepared for any of their veterans to retire this summer.

They lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games during the Western Conference semifinals, but that isn’t looking so bad considering the Golden State Warriors are currently one game away from elimination.

Aldridge was given a lot of freedom in the postseason, but he wasn’t comfortable carrying the load in the regular season. That is the main thing San Antonio must adjust next year. He and Kawhi Leonard are the future for the Spurs, and their offense must reflect that. The Thunder exposed San Antonio’s age, and Duncan was the primary problem.

Popovich needs to understand that Tony Parker doesn’t have the athleticism to run an uptempo offense anymore, and the Spurs will need to become more of an isolation team. That is where Aldridge’s skills are best represented. He is the type of power forward who likes being in the post, and it will be interesting to watch how the Spurs evolve next season.

Popovich must realize that he has to either adjust his philosophy or change the roster. Duncan will probably retire over the summer, so the team won’t be as unselfish as they’ve been in the past. San Antonio will have to improve in some regard to beat the Thunder next season, because Westbrook and Durant are looking unbeatable at the moment. The Spurs must become different in order for the Western Conference to be in their grasp again, and Aldridge is at the heart of this issue.