Carmelo Anthony is expected to make his Portland Trail Blazers debut over the next week. The former scoring champion had remained unsigned until he inked a pact with Portland, with the team's star duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum having reached out to Anthony upon his signing. McCollum notes that he was keeping a close eye on the former New York Knicks star:
“He looks like he's changed his body a little bit,” McCollum said. “Started lifting more on his legs, his lower half. He was dunking this summer. He doesn't usually dunk, so that's how I knew he was feeling good. I don't know if it was because of the work or because he's been off or a combination, but he looked like he had new life, more bounce in his step.”
Anthony last suited up as a member of the Houston Rockets on Nov. 8, 2018, the final contest of what was a tumultuous 12-game stint with the franchise. Now 35 years old and entering his 17th NBA regular season, how large the workload that the Blazers toss at him remains to be seen. But with Portland needing an offensive infusion following their rocky 5-8 open to the year, Anthony could be relied upon to spark a group that made it as far as the Western Conference finals last season.
As for a full-circle story, Anthony won't be able to suit up Monday when the Blazers take on the Rockets. The team has five more games remaining on its current road trip and it's expected that Anthony and his changed physique are to meet the club during it.
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