Portland Trail Blazers beat writer Jason Quick has reported that Carmelo Anthony will start at the three and that Hassan Whiteside will be on the bench.
Local beat writer Jason Quick of The Athletic was able to catch up with some members of the Portland Trail Blazers recently, where he was updated on a likely starting five for the NBA resumption in Orlando.
Quick talked to two key stakeholders of this Blazers team, Terry Stotts and Damian Lillard.
The first surprise is that Carmelo Anthony is likely locked in to play the three. Melo has never been a plus NBA defender, even in his younger days, so to see him switch over to guarding the best wing threats is a surprise.
Recap of Zoom session with Blazers coach Terry Stotts: 1. Caleb Swanigan's status for Orlando is in doubt. 2. He is considering using Nurkic and Whiteside at the same time; 3. He is confident Melo can play the 3 because of team defense
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) July 1, 2020
The other quote from Quick will also lead back to the above statement by Stotts. Because of the return of Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic, it seems that Stotts is confident in Melo at the three.
I still have significant concerns for his ability to guard the faster wings, Melo won’t be able to do it. He is a four at this point in his career, and if he is out guarding perimeter players, then there will be severe deficiencies in the three-point shooting defense.
Although the rim protection may be better with Collins and Nurkic paired together, the prospect of Melo allowing penetration from the opposition who then kick to shooters, this doesn’t fill us with confidence.
I would have preferred they started Gary Trent Jr at the three. Though he is only six-foot-five, he is a muscular 210 pounds, and he wouldn’t have allowed penetration by the quicker wings like Paul George. Yes, he isn’t as strong as Melo, but the post defense isn’t as important as it used to be, and it’s easier for Collins and Nurkic to help down low than try to stem the flow of drives on the perimeter.
It is positive, though, that they will look to likely start Collins with Nurkic. Nurkic’s passing and potential floor stretching ability combined with his defense. The same with Collins. Great defense with shooting ability and solid passing.
The rim protection, rebounding, and defensive accuracy will be significantly better at the four and five than when Hassan Whiteside and Melo started in those positions in the regular season.
The Blazer’s defense will overall be better than it was before, but the starting 1, 2, and 3 are obviously of concern. Let’s hope that Trent gets lots of minutes with these guys to balance out the offense only approach of our guards and small forward.