Damian Lillard raised eyebrows at the start of training camp when he said he expected to start together Ja Morant in Trail Blazersbackcourt this fall. How Jason Quick of The Athletic writes, head coach Mika Nori hasn’t set his lineup in stone yet and admits it would probably make more sense to start Jrue’s holiday along with Morant or Lillard for defensive purposes.
Still, the new head coach, whose contract with Portland is guaranteed for just one season, will have to consider the personalities of his stars, not just their approach on the court. Between them, Morant and Lillard have started 1,225 of 1,227 career games, and it’s unclear how either would react to being benched. While Morant told reporters last week that he “wouldn’t have a problem” with a bench role, Norrie admitted he wasn’t sure the former Grizzlies star would actually feel that way.
“From the outside, I think he’ll do great with it.” Nori told Quick. “Inside…I don’t know.”
Norrie said both Morant and Lillard will “probably” start in the team’s preseason opener on Wednesday. However, while insisting his contract status won’t affect his decision, the Blazers coach also told Quick he doesn’t want to take the path of least resistance if it’s not the right move for the team.
“What we don’t want is because Jrue might not care about starting and say, ‘Well, Jrue’s going to be the best at it, so don’t start him.'” – said Nori. “But other than hearing your name (in the introductions), who cares? I’d rather play when it matters: late in the game. I don’t care about a 6-4 basket; I care more about a 112-110 bucket, honestly.”
While the Morant/Lillard backcourt could pose problems for the Trail Blazers on the defensive end of the court, the duo is optimistic about their offensive form.
“It’s fun” Morant said he would play alongside Lillard Sean Haykin of The Rose Garden Report (Link to substack). “There’s so much space with Dame. You all know what a shooter he is. But it also creates for everybody else. Drive and shoot, guys have to go out there and lock down. So we’ve both gone the unselfish way to learn each other’s games, but we still have to be ourselves. That’s what it takes. We just have to be very intentional when we have the ball and then understand the other guy who’s off.
We have more from the Western Conference:
- Having suggested at the start of training camp that three spots in the WarriorsThe starting line-up is displayed nearby Stephen Curry and Draymond Green (story via Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area), head coach Steve Kerr with tabs Al Horford, Brandin undergroundand a beginner Yaksel Landeborg to fill those holes in Sunday’s preseason opener. Kerr isn’t ready to use the same group in the regular-season opener, but explained that he likes how the trio fits. “Really good size, good game” he said (Link to video on Twitter via ESPN’s Anthony Slater). “… Spacing from Al. All three guys — Al, Jaxel, BP — can hit the three, but also play. So it’s a good, well-balanced lineup.”
- Brooke Lopez became Clippers‘ starting center after Ivitsa Zubak was traded to Indiana last season, but there’s no guarantee he’ll reclaim that role this fall. Isaiah Jacksonwho is back to 100% after tearing his Achilles in November 2024, worked out with Los Angeles’ first team during training camp and said Saturday that he thinks he’ll end up in the starting lineup, according to Clippers reporter Ohm Youngmisuk (Twitter references). Although the head coach Tyrone Lue not yet a starter, he said he likes Jackson’s approach at point guard Darius GarlandYoungmisuk adds.
- After his three All-Star seasons from 2019-21. Ben SimmonsHis reputation took a hit and he faced questions about his performance after being held out in Philadelphia and several years marred by past problems. however, The necklaces head coach Doug Christie spoke fondly of what Simmons brought to Sacramento’s camp, praising his leadership and competitiveness, for Frankie Cortoschelli of Sactown Sports. “Nothing I Read Was True” – said Christy. “I really enjoy being around the kid. He talks. He likes basketball. He likes to coach and he’s special.”