The fallout of LaMarcus Aldridge’s departure from the Portland Trail Blazers continues.
The Blazers have fired assistant coach Kim Hughes, according to multiple reports.
NBA.com was the first to report the news of Hughes’ firing.
The team’s big man coach was in the news this week when a video from a Terra Haute, Indiana TV station surfaced where he said the team “lost LaMarcus Aldridge.”
The firing comes after Aldridge announced his decision this morning via twitter that he would be playing for the San Antonio Spurs.
“People don’t realize, we just went young,” Hughes told WTHI when talking about the vision of the team. “We didn’t publicize it, but we lost LaMarcus Aldridge. It hasn’t been declared yet, but I’m sure he won’t come back. “
Hughes had served as a father figure on Portland’s coaching staff for many players but most specifically, young big man Meyers Leonard.
“He is like a father figure to me,” Leonard told The Columbian earlier this year in a profile about Hughes. “I obviously trust his knowledge when it comes to he game, and teaching me things that i need to know to better myself on the court. But also as a man.”
Hughes was with Leonard in an Indiana gym when he was on the video that later went viral.
Hughes also had a long-lasting relationship with veteran big man Chris Kaman, who helped Kaman grow his game as a young player with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The three of them worked out together last summer at Kaman’s compound in Michigan.
The Clippers were also where Hughes got to know Olshey.
The two were assistant coaches together on the Clippers and Hughes even served as interim head coach for part of one season, while Olshey was running the Clippers.
Hughes coached the team’s big men, which included Aldridge.
Aldridge even credited Hughes with helping him with his free-throw shooting this season, which was a career-best mark of 84 percent.
