Nate McMillan and LaMarcus Aldridge are two highly successful people.
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A changed Aldridge: Blazers’ unassuming forward blossoms into an impact player
LaMarcus Aldridge was in the midst of a comfortable night on Jan. 9 when his cell phone rang.
With his television tuned to the Cleveland-Boston basketball game, Aldridge was extended on his couch, his feet outstretched on an ottoman, when he looked at who was calling.
PRIVATE NUMBER, the phone flashed.
“That can mean one of two people,” Aldridge said. “Jay Jensen or Coach.”
As he reached for the phone, he was certain it was going to be Jensen, the Trail Blazers’ athletic trainer. Instead, it was Nate McMillan, the team’s coach, who this season had made a habit of initiating spur-of-the-moment conversations with his third-year power forward.
Much like his other talks with Aldridge, usually done in one-on-one film sessions, McMillan’s phone conversation that night included a visual aide. The prop was the television and the Cavaliers-Celtics game. The point was how Aldridge could dominate a game like Cleveland star LeBron James was that night, when he excelled at both ends of the floor.
He asked Aldridge if he was watching the game, which was early in the fourth quarter.
“Yeah, I’m watching it,” Aldridge said.
“Nah, are you really watching it?” both recall McMillan saying.
“Yeah,” Aldridge said. “LeBron is killing them for 30points.”
“Well, you aren’t really watching it, then,” McMillan said.
Aldridge was confused. He asked McMillan what he meant. That’s when McMillan — who spent the past three summers harping defense to James while serving as an assistant with the U.S. Olympic team — drove home his point.
He pointed out to Aldridge how James was impacting the game both offensively and defensively. Yes, everyone would notice his 38 points scored that night, but equally important were his seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks.
A light bulb might as well have popped above Aldridge’s head.
“I told him, ‘You are right, I wasn’t watching it that way,’” Aldridge said.
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A terrific piece about the healthy relationship which exists when neither party involved has the WRONG attitude about life.
Nate McMillan was not afraid to tell someone that, in his opinion, what the other party was thinking and seeing for himself that night was in fact incorrect.
i.e. You aren’t really watching it, then.
LaMarcus Aldridge … without getting upset, or angry, or dismissive, or rude, etc. … although HE WAS CONFUSED … took the time and had the AWARENESS to ask Nate McMillan a clarifying question, in return.
i.e. He asked McMillan what he meant.
It was THEN that McMillan DROVE HOME HIS POINT.
i.e. He pointed out to Aldridge how James was impacting the game both offensively and defensively.
It was THEN that the light bulb popped on for Aldridge.
i.e. I told him, ‘You are right, I wasn’t watching it that way.’
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In general, it’s a 5-step process during which both parties NEED to do their respective part.
Part 1 - The first party which sees what’s really there, hiding in plain sight, NEEDS to be, both, fearless and helpful.
Part 2 - The second party which is looking at the same thing but is initially confused by what’s being offerred up by the first party NEEDS to be open-minded, curious and humble enough to ask a clarifying question.
Part 3 - The first party NEEDS to Drive Home His/Her Point.
Part 4 - The second party NEEDS to be respectful and aware enough to recognize and acknowledge the correctness of what it is s/he has just heard or seen, brought to light for their mutual benefit.
Part 5 - Both parties agree to move forward … either in the same roles OR through an exchange places.
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Afterall … How challenging can THAT really be? 
