Trail Blazers veteran Carmelo Anthony has slimmed down in anticipation of playing more often at small forward during the restart, according to Royce Young of ESPN. Anthony has mainly played power forward in recent seasons but with big men Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins returning from injuries, Anthony is making an adjustment by shedding weight.
“I kind of challenged myself to get down to that weight where I feel comfortable with playing the 3, comfortable running around and utilizing things I can do within our system from playing the 3,” the Trail Blazers forward said. “That was a big motivation for me to come back at that exact weight, or around that weight, 230, 235. I haven’t seen 230, 235 since early, early in my career.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Nuggets rookie center Bol Bol could make his NBA debut during the team’s seeding games, Mike Singer of The Denver Post speculates. Numerous Denver regulars have yet to practice in Orlando. Bol will participate in three upcoming scrimmages and then might see action in the seeding games, mostly out of necessity. Bol has impressed during practices in Orlando, Singer adds.
- Mike Conley has endured some rough patches during his first season with the Jazz but the veteran point guard feels like he’s settled in, Tony Jones of The Athletic notes. “It feels like I’ve played a full season already,” Conley said. “I’ve had a chance to build chemistry with my coaches and with my teammates. I haven’t had any questions about plays or my role. I have a clear picture on what to expect.”
- South Dakota forward Tyler Hagedorn has been interviewed by the Timberwolves, Darren Wolfson of KSTP tweets. Hagedorn isn’t listed among ESPN’s top 100 prospects but the 6’10” Hagedorn did shoot 51.4% from long range as a senior.
If Bol Bol’s projected to receive minutes, one that indicate a shift to power forward for Plummer and small forward for Grant? Otherwise, Denver would be overloaded in the frontcourt and short in guard play
How can a guy be 6’10”, shoot 50% from 3-pt and average 18 PPG and not be in the ‘top 100’ prospects list!? haha I mean I understand how, but I’m just saying he could be a serious sleeper pick with those attributes should he be drafted (or sign as an UDFA next year)
A lot goes into it. He’s older, he played in a small conference. And he’s not much of a defender at the 4/5 spot. With the athletic freaks playing those 2 spots now a days. He will get exposed on D every night. And from what I’ve seen of him. He’s not a great rebounder either. So ur drafting a guy who can shoot/score. But not do much else.