LaMarcus Aldridge’s shocking retirement due to cardiac issues is going to create more playing time for other Nets, including Jeff Green. But when Green finally got a chance to speak with Aldridge, it wasn’t as a forward. It was as a friend.

Green had gone through open heart surgery himself back in 2012, one of the few NBA players to come back after doing so. When he found out that Aldridge was stepping away from the game due to an irregular heartbeat, his first – and only – concern was for his friend’s life, not the Nets lineup.

“My reaction? I was shocked at first. But given the situation, I’m happy for him. For me, having gone through heart surgery, health is very, very important,” said Green, who along with DeAndre Jordan and Nic Claxton could inherit more playing time at center. “This basketball life, he did 15 years and a great 15 years.

“For me, it’s about health first. You want to be around for your kids, your family, your wife. I think that’s most important, and you’ve got to take care of yourself first. He made the decision to step away and I fully support him on that.”

Aldridge had actually experienced an irregular heartbeat during his 2006-07 rookie season with the Trailblazers, and was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a rare condition that impacts the natural conduction system of the heart. He underwent cardiac ablation (the insertion of a catheter to restore normal heart rhythm) in 2007, and again before the start of the 2011 season.

After also reporting an arrhythmia in March 2017 while with the Spurs, Aldridge felt an irregular heartbeat during Brooklyn’s April 10 loss to the Lakers. He was hospitalized, missed the games in Minnesota and Philadelphia, and announced his retirement on Thursday morning via social media.

“I talked to him (Thursday). We didn’t talk after the Laker game because I think this episode happened after the game. He had tests ran the next day or that night; but I didn’t get a chance to talk to him when it happened. So I didn’t find out until going into the Minnesota game,” said Green. “I’m just glad that he’s fine. It’s bigger than basketball for me, and for him as you can see. I’m just happy he’s OK, he’s healthy, and he’s around his family. I’m just glad the episode calmed down.

“I didn’t know that it was going to come to what it came to (Thursday). But my thing was is he OK? Is he going to be OK? Yeah, he’s going to be OK. But I didn’t know he was retiring until (Thursday) like everybody else found out. I thought he was going to meet us in Philly, but then it didn’t happen and I found out he was retiring. I talked to him (then). He’s in good spirits. That’s all you can ask for.”

Aldridge retired just 49 points shy of 20,000 in a career that could take him to the Hall of Fame – and should, according to Green. He had seven All-Star berths, six All-NBA nods and is one of just 25 players with 19,000 points and 8,000 boards.

“Although the time was short, we appreciated your leadership,” Nets owner Joe Tsai tweeted. “Once a Net, always a Net.”

While Aldridge played just five games for Brooklyn, and expressed regret that his Nets tenure was too short, Green said the 35-year-old shouldn’t feel he let anybody down.

“No, I’d never say, or put it anywhere near the category of let us down. Especially for me, by being so personal. For me, it’s about health first, making sure he’s ok,” said Green. “I don’t care about basketball at that point; that’s not even in the conversation. For me, it’s about making sure he’s ok as a human, physically, and that he’s just around, to be around his family and being loved.

“That’s what it’s all about for me. I don’t care at all about basketball, when it comes to the health of an individual. When I talked to him it’s how can I support you, I got your back; you need anything, I’m here. That’s what it was. I didn’t mention anything about basketball…in my book he had a Hall of Fame career, and he went out on – for me – on good graces. So, as long as he’s healthy, and he’s breathing, he’s around his family and he’s loved, I’m happy for him and I fully support him.”