LaMarcus Aldridge rebuffs reports he's unhappy in San Antonio

Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge has heard the reports that he's unhappy playing second fiddle to Kawhi Leonard and the speculation that he might not finish the season in San Antonio.

He isn't buying into it.

"I talk to [coach Gregg Popovich] daily and he's always telling me that I'm doing great," Aldridge said Thursday on the Jim Rome Show.

"[I'm] trying to be a more of a leader. He's put me in positions where I can be more of a leader. As long as the guys here aren't saying bad things to me. All my teammates have said nothing but great things to me."

Aldridge, 31, chose the Spurs in free agency in 2015 after nine years with the Portland Trail Blazers and four All-Star appearances. He was a hot commodity and he was expected to be a building block for the future. Thursday, he was asked if he's happy in San Antonio one year after choosing to sign.

"Yeah, for sure I am," said Aldridge. "We made history last year [by going 40-1 at home, matching an NBA record]. They've incorporated me into the family. Try to make me one of the big pieces.

"I'm winning. Of course I'm happy. That's why I don't buy into the rumors. I feel like I do my job here and I feel like I've done everything that they've asked. That's why I haven't bought into the rumors."