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Trail Blazers: A Committee Approach at Center Coming?

By Steven Dewald

April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich (45) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich (45) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Trail Blazers have a stable of capable big man at their disposal, which should lead to a lot of varying looks in the coming season.

The Trail Blazers have four talented players that are capable of manning the center position, which makes many fans wonder how they will all be utilized. Portland has been a franchise that has struggled with frontcourt depth for decades, so this is a fairly new question for the organization. Look for Terry Stotts to mimic the approach of two of the most successful teams in the Western Conference. Both the Spurs and Warriors use a committee like approach to maximize the effectiveness of their big man rotations.

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The Warriors are capable of throwing several different looks at their opponent and most of those changes start with the center position. Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli (now with the Trail Blazers) served as classic rim protectors. Marreese Speights served as an effective pick and pop option that also wouldn’t hurt your rebounding on the defensive glass. Draymond Green is one of a kind, as he possesses both game changing offensive and defensive abilities. This approach allowed Steve Kerr to dictate the playing style in almost every contest the Warriors entered.

Greg Poppovich has also successfully used the committee approach for San Antonio’s center position. Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge, David West, and Boban Marjanovic made up a talented and flexible post rotation for the Spurs in 2015-16. None of the above players dominated the minutes at center, which goes to show that flexibility is driving today’s NBA.

Oct 30, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) talks to teammate LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tim Duncan (21) talks to teammate LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Mason Plumlee, Ed Davis, Meyers Leonard, and Ezeli will all provide the Trail Blazers with varying skills. Plumlee will continue his no-nonsense approach while providing excellent passing in the process. Davis will provide athleticism defending the pick and roll and continue to attack the boards. Ezeli will finally provide Portland with a defensive presence capable of altering every shot that comes into the paint. Stretching the floor for the offense will fall into the hands of the newly re-signed Leonard.

Expecting one of Portland’s big men to rise above the others might be a stretch in the upcoming season. Instead, one should expect the effectiveness of each player to rise significantly. On top of the added flexibility, injury insurance will be another welcome luxury for the Trail Blazers.

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On paper it appears that Stotts has a logjam at center, but expect a coach of his expertise to maximize the talent at his disposal. As the Warriors and Spurs have displayed in recent years, being able to attack your opponent’s weaknesses is key. Rotational flexibility is instrumental in exploiting those weak spots.