After being out of the league for a year, Carmelo Anthony has found a new home. The Portland Trail Blazers has decided to take a chance on the veteran. Although the Blazers are in need of a boost, this move comes with a ton of speculation. Will Melo finally be changed? Can the Blazers actually find a way into the playoffs with three high-volume scorers possibly in the same lineup? How will the Blazers be affected by this move? Can Melo bounce back after a couple of disastrous seasons?
Carmelo Anthony: Projecting His Impact on the Trail Blazers
Where Can He Thrive?
It is still unclear whether or not the Blazers will have Melo come off the bench. Melo seems to be a changed man and willing to accept a different role at this point in his career. Most likely, he is best suited for the second unit.
Having him in the same lineup with the other two stars, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, would be a repeat of the Oklahoma City Thunder days with three ball-dominant players in the lineup. As the sixth man, Melo can still get a healthy amount of scoring opportunities. All while providing a key role on a struggling Blazers squad. It will be an intriguing second unit consisting of Anfernee Simons, Anthony Tolliver, and Kent Bazemore being led by Anthony.
Can the Carmelo Anthony Signing Actually Benefit the Blazers?
There is a lot of “what ifs,” in this scenario. We have already discussed whether or not Melo will come off the bench or not. The key for Portland will be utilizing him correctly. However, Melo needs to carry his weight as well. Do not forget, he is on a non-guaranteed contract. If that means taking a back seat to Jusuf Nurkic and possibly even Zach Collins to go along with the star duo of Lillard and McCollum, then he needs to be willing to accept that role.
He can still be effective in the NBA if he learns to accept his role. A great example is the resurgence of Dwight Howard on the Los Angeles Lakers. Howard has accepted his role off the bench. If Melo does this, then we could see the Blazers bounce back and sneak back into the postseason race. This signing alone will not win a title for Portland, but it sure will spice things up for their lack-luster start.
Final Thoughts on Melo and the Blazers
This is a polarizing signing for many reasons. For some Blazers fans, the sentiment seems to be “look at our start, if there was ever a time to shake things up and get Melo, it’s now.” For others, they feel as if Melo had his chance and does not deserve another. Regardless, the Trail Blazers knew they had to do something as they are one of the biggest disappointments so far this season. Anthony may not improve the defense, but it should give the Blazers an extra offensive punch. Not to mention, if Melo embraces his role as a potential sixth man, then the Portland bench will also be bolstered. For now, the dynamic between Anthony and the Portland Trail Blazers will remain a mystery until we see him in action in a Blazers jersey.
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