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Carmelo Anthony is set to make his debut with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, but the new veteran signing is expected to help the team right away, as general manager Neil Olshey sees it.
“For us, ‘Melo can be another guy who is a threat,” Olshey told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. “He can change the geometry on the court. He can get to the free throw line late in a game. And he has the poise to handle himself in those late game situations we’ve struggled in.”
The Blazers have struggled in late-game situations, but they have also had see-saw contributions from their role players, lacking a consistent third scorer to help them night in and night out. The backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have been tasked with the bulk of the scoring load, but that hasn't proven enough after a 5-9 start.
Those are only the first layer of issues plaguing the Blazers, who have also lacked the effort to get to loose balls and rebound with the right intensity. Anthony's signing could help them with scoring but most importantly giving the Blazers a dependable presence that will take the pressure of Lillard and McCollum.
While his defense has been questionable in the past few years, Olshey and Portland are willing to take their chances, hoping the signing of this perennial scoring machine infuses a change in spirit for a team that's gotten off to a less-than-desirable start to the 2019-20 campaign.
