Lillard expects Melo, Nurk, and Collins to start

[Scalma]

That’s my ideal lineup as well. Melo is a defensive liability at SF and PF but also creates more mismatches at the three. This also means domination on the boards, which is always so important.

 

[Scalma]

Lemme translate what this means for the second unit

CJ
Trent
Hezonja
Melo
Whiteside

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I feel like the results in Orlando will be seen as a referendum on the feasibility of a Nurkic/Whiteside center pairing, as well as the significance of Ariza (and to a lesser extent, Hood) in the lineup.

Man it hurts to think how much better our chances would be right now with a healthy Hood and an available Ariza!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Lemme translate what this means for the second unit

CJ
Trent
Hezonja
Melo
Whiteside

You think Hezonja will play over Ant and Little?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

 

[BigGameDamian]

You think Hezonja will play over Ant and Little?

Only if they get a positive test.

 

[Scalma]

You think Hezonja will play over Ant and Little?

yeah, that’s not what I’d do, but think that’s what Stotts will do.

 

[Scalma]

We get a replacement if Biggie opts out cough Biggie please opt out cough.

 

[Scalma]

Nurk and Whiteside together? fuck yesssss

 

[Scalma]

What team defense is he talking about? Lolz

 

[Eastoff]

What team defense is he talking about? Lolz

Melo just has to not let the opponent make the 3 ball. He can get beat to the basket because Nurkic and Zach will clean up

 

[blazerkor]

Nurk and Whiteside together? fuck yesssss

I just don't know how we defend the perimeter in today's NBA with those two on the court at the same time... especially if it's with Melo. I like how agile Nurk looks but to think that his lateral quickness and foot speed are good enough to do what Collins can do just doesn't seem realistic to me.

 

[Scalma]

Melo just has to not let the opponent make the 3 ball. He can get beat to the basket because Nurkic and Zach will clean up

yeah I’m fine with Melo at the three. And with so many teams starting guards there, he’s gonna feast on the other end.

 

[BlayZa]

i could see that being the lineup eventually. all comes down to fitness etc

i think everyone gets fair minutes and the chips fall in this lab test of a season end.

 

[Scalma]

I’ve been eyeing this dude for the offseason if we lose Whiteside, but if biggie opts out may as well get a head start and sign him now.



7’4”. G league defensive player of the year. Still only 23.

 

[Hoopguru]

You think Hezonja will play over Ant and Little?

I do. I think Terry believes he hasn't seen the best Mario and he has been on record that he likes how he pushes the ball up court and finds an open player. But, i could very wrong like everyone in here....

 

[Rastapopoulos]

All I can say is I'm glad he's not player-coach.

 

[tykendo]

I know i'm in the minority here, but i think Mario will do just fine, and had been playing better of late before the shutdown. I just don't see Ant and Little as ready. And i like Melo at the 3 as well. If the Bubble goes as plan, i think the Blazers have a very good chance to be a contender.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I think Melo's days of playing the 3 are long gone.
In an ideal world he would graciously accept coming off the bench to be instant offense. But that's never been his MO.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Caleb opts out

https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest...s-out-will-not-join-trail-blazers-nba-restart

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I would also be surprised if Nurk started ahead of Whiteside. I like Nurk's game a LOT more, but Whiteside has played all season and that counts for something. Stotts keeps a pretty stable starting lineup and you'd have to be Dame or CJ to come in and start right off after missing a year.

 

[Scalma]

I would also be surprised if Nurk started ahead of Whiteside. I like Nurk's game a LOT more, but Whiteside has played all season and that counts for something. Stotts keeps a pretty stable starting lineup and you'd have to be Dame or CJ to come in and start right off after missing a year.

Stotts pretty much confirmed Nurk will start, so be surprised. As he should btw. That’s Nurks job.

 

[Scalma]

Evidently Hoard will also be with the team in Orlando. No mention of Moses, so I’m assuming he’s not going.

 

[James lamphear]

The reason Nurk starts because he sits better picks then Whiteside and he better in pick n roll with Dame. If Melo start at the 3 that doesn't bother me if Zach and Nurk sitting behind to defend the goal and plus there not a 3 in the league that can guard Melo if he post up.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Stotts pretty much confirmed Nurk will start, so be surprised. As he should btw. That’s Nurks job.

We'll see, won't we.

 

[Scalma]

We'll see, won't we.

Here’s the confirmation.

 

[Scalma]

 

[blazerkor]

The reason Nurk starts because he sits better picks then Whiteside and he better in pick n roll with Dame. If Melo start at the 3 that doesn't bother me if Zach and Nurk sitting behind to defend the goal and plus there not a 3 in the league that can guard Melo if he post up.

Yeah, I'm with you and Dame. The other options don't seem realistic. Going with Trent at the three with Dame and CJ leaves us pretty undersized on the perimeter plus still not that quick. So we stay kinda slow but a little longer on the perimeter defensively with Zach and Nurk to clean up when guys get blown by. Obviously the Melo option makes us a beast of an offense to cover because Melo can spot up to stretch the floor or be another iso option on the wing, elbow or even the post. As far as starting Nurk and Hassan together, like I've said before I don't think that works because so many if not all teams now have a stretch 4 and I don't think either of our great centers can cover a stretch 4. So I'm hoping Stotts goes with Dame, CJ, Melo, Zach, Nurk, Hassan, Trent, Rio and Ant as our rotation with the first five guys definitely starting. I don't know if we'll see much Nas during meaningful minutes even though he is such a great athlete and energy guy, with great instincts.

 

[Scalma]

What I like about a possible whiteside Nurk pairing is how they compliment each other offensively. Whiteside isn’t a very good screener/playmaker but Nurk is elite. So you play through Nurk/Dame and camp whiteside down low for easy buckets and offensive rebounds. The question is defensively, but whatever Whiteside loses in foot speed he’ll make up with his elite length.

But you can say a lot of the same things about Zach and he’s more mobile, so he’s probably a better fit. Still, I like the option and could make it easier to justify paying him this offseason.

 

[blazerkor]

Here’s the confirmation.

So we see that he's having the same debate that's been going on in here but I really think he'll come to the conclusion that if all are healthy our best starting lineup is Dame, CJ, Melo, Zach and Nurk. Since he is saying that Melo could do the job but he'd need help; I think Zach's versatility defensively is more capable of helping Melo than both Nurk and Hassan just laying back on the low block.