There was something unexpected in the lineup when the Portland Trail Blazers faced the Detroit Pistons: Nassir Little shifted into the shooting guard position for 24 minutes of play. According to Jason Quick of the Athletic, the move was made to boost the defense. Following the game, Coach Terry Stotts commented on the shift.
“It was a defensive decision,” Stotts said. “He has length and athleticism to guard perimeter players and he’s shown he can make shots and space the floor. It was something that I thought we should try.”
Stotts says it won’t be the last time that Little takes the court as a shooting guard.