The Portland Trail Blazers registered an impressive opening-night win against the Phoenix Suns yesterday evening. The starting five for Portland in their first game were Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan. According to a recent article by Jason Quick of The Athletic [subscription required], not only are those five set in stone early on, Blazers Head Coach Micah Nori also knows the balance of his rotation.
Quick quotes Lillard praising Nori for his decisiveness and clear communication. Among the passages, Quick cites Nori himself saying the Blazers will go 10-deep in the early season:
Nori says he intends to play 10. The starting lineup will be Lillard, Morant, Toumani Camara, Avdija and Clingan, with reserves [Jrue] Holiday, Scoot Henderson and Williams. The ninth player figures to be defensive-minded and hustle-oriented Sidy Cissoko, and the 10th player will likely rotate between wing Vit Krejčí, forward Micah Potter and forward/center Branden Carlson.
Most coaches use nine players during the season and eight during the playoffs, but Holiday said a 10-man rotation speaks to the Blazers’ talent and can lead to more energetic shifts.
“You can have maybe shorter bursts where you have a lot more energy and don’t get as tired,” Holiday said. “I think it builds trust throughout the team knowing that you have 10, 11 guys who are going to play. We have depth, and I think that’s something that we should use if we have it.”
If the Suns result is any indication, it appears Nori is both reaching and organizing his players successfully. Let’s see how those plans play out!
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