LaMarcus Aldridge Named Most Influential In Oregon Sports After Leaving Trail Blazers

New Spurs F LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE has been named the most influential person in Oregon sports by the Portland OREGONIAN's John Canzano, who wrote Aldridge's July 4 decision to leave the Trail Blazers via free agency "changed everything" for the state's "highest-profile sports franchise." Included on the list are "team owners, team officials, influential players, executives, coaches, community leaders and boosters." Canzano noted the "butterfly-effect of Aldridge's departure caused the Blazers organization to immediately regress into a total rebuild, even if it refuses to say so." Aldridge would have "also been No. 1" if he had picked the Blazers. Nike co-Founder & Chair PHIL KNIGHT takes the No. 2 spot on the list "despite announcing plans to step down." Knight's "fingerprints are everywhere in [the] state, even at Oregon State, although he doesn't like to take credit for it." It will be "interesting to see how Knight's influence shifts (or intensifies) as he steps away from the sneaker operation" (OREGONLIVE.com, 7/24).