The Portland Trail Blazers have dominated the bubble’s news cycle with birthday parties and Skinny Melo, but perhaps nothing has incited more conversation than the potential frontcourt pairing of Jusuf Nurkic and Hassan Whiteside. Playing one traditional center isn’t a guarantee anymore, let alone trotting out two seven footers who rarely shoot from beyond the short midrange.
Nonetheless, comments from players and coaches gave it merit.
Jusuf Nurkiu0107 says he expects to play some minutes at power forward, presumably alongside Hassan Whiteside at center.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) July 3, 2020
Stotts says "in all likelihood" Melo and Nurk will start.