Dec. 31--He sat for 11 consecutive games during one stretch this season, the time on the bench forcing Cole Aldrich to take stock of his game.
Aldrich has delivered for the Clippers when they needed him the most.
The 6-foot-11 reserve center played in his sixth consecutive game and posted yet another productive stat line across the board during the Clippers' 122-117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
Aldrich had seven points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 14 minutes, 27 seconds.
"It's getting more comfortable with the guys that are out there," Aldrich said. "We've really amped up our defense on our second unit and that's helped us win some big games."
When he wasn't playing, Aldrich had to get in the gym and get in extra work.
He wanted to make sure he was ready whenever Coach Doc Rivers called his name.
"It's tough," Aldrich said. "The biggest thing is making sure is to get in every day, running, doing all that you need to do just to stay in shape. So when game time comes, you just be ready. It's not easy, but it comes with the territory."
Aldrich has become the Clippers' third big man, a role that has become more important now that Blake Griffin is out with a partially torn left quad tendon.
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