Why? One of Pop’s favorite players of all time is LaMarcus Aldridge that’s the guy Ayton reminds me the most of.
Pop hated Aldridge for his first few years in San Antonio and wanted to unload him. They had a meeting and repaired their relationship and were good from that point on. I really don't think I'd put much stock in Aldridge being Pop's favorite player or one of his favorites. I've never seen anything that suggests he's a favorite of Pop. Most I can find is about their disputes and patching things up.