The Portland Trail Blazers are heading into this season with a similar core as the last, but with the absence of the sharp-shooting Allen Crabbe, who shot a blistering 44 percent from beyond the arc last season, good for fourth-best in the league.
Yet the team made a key free agent signing to make up for that problem in veteran marksman Anthony Morrow, who can have a spot in the roster locked down in the next couple of weeks if his shooting stroke continues to show during the preseason.
Morrow only garnered five minutes of playing time in the first game against the Phoenix Suns, but ultimately was able to make the most of Thursday's eight minutes on the floor, knocking down four of his five three-point attempts for 12 points.
“That’s a skill that is always going to be needed,’’ point guard Damian Lillard said of the 32-year-old's three-point prowess, according to Jason Quick of CSN North West. “It just shows why he is still around: He can shoot the ball.’’
Morrow is bound to get more playing time in the Blazers' next three preseason games, facing the L.A. Clippers, the Sacramento Kings, and the Suns again on the road before the regular season tips off.
“Obviously, it helps,’’ coach Terry Stotts said when asked whether Morrow’s Tuesday performance solidified his chances of making the team. “But as I’ve said before, we will talk about him making the team – or whoever – we will talk about the 15th spot in a week-and-a-half or two.’’
The nine-year journeyman is hopeful to make the team, not only to be on a roster by the time the season starts, but because Portland in particular fits the mold of what he does best — shoot the ball.
“I thank God that they reached out to me in summertime. I knew that offense is pretty much tailor made for me, and the way I play,’’ Morrow said. “(Shooting) is what I do, and that’s what I’ve been doing the last nine years and that’s something they said they needed and wanted to give me an opportunity. So I just want to take advantage of it.’’
Morrow has drawn glowing endorsements from the Blazers' All-Star backcourt, with C.J. McCollum following Lillard's comments emphatically.
“I think the first day of camp, I don’t know if he missed a shot,’’ McCollum said. “When he is open, he usually makes it. You can just see every shot he shoots looks good. He’s a shot maker, and that’s something we need.’’
The 32-year-old will compete against other guards like Isaiah Briscoe, Archie Goodwin, and C.J. Wilcox for the final spot in the 15-man roster, a reserve spot that can prove key if shot-making is needed at some point during the postseason.
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