{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Let the 2020-21 training camp battles begin!","video":"_yGnB8SnTrFS","thumbnail":{"uri":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/short_form_video/hero/PortlandDefense120820_1920x1080.jpg","alt":"Portland knows it has to improve on defense this season","title":"Portland knows it has to improve on defense this season"},"credit":"Getty Images","published":1607458445,"caption":"

With training camp underway at the Trail Blazers practice facility, the standout players of the next couple of weeks will soon be talked about with expectations put on certain individuals early on.

Between the new additions of Robert Covington, Derrick Jones Jr., and Harry Giles and figuring out how Carmelo Anthony and Rodney Hood fit in the new-feel Blazers, Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts and his staff are going to be extremely busy, to put it lightly.

Here is a look at five roles to be determined in the coming weeks...

"},{"title":"The Sparkplug: Gary Trent Jr. vs. Rodney Hood","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/RodneyHood_GettyImages-1183255324.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607459180,"caption":"

As Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts has already hinted the Blazers starting lineup will look like this to start the season:

Damian Lillard
CJ McCollum
Derrick Jones Jr.
Robert Covington
Jusuf Nurkic

With that, who should Trail Blazers fans expect to be the biggest burst of energy to come off the bench?

Most fans remember when Will Barton came off the bench to be a shot in the arm for Portland back in 2013, while last season, it was Gary Trent Jr. who brought the energy, specifically on the defensive end.

Trent Jr. was the bulldog that fans fell in love with last year.

As for Rodney Hood, he has said ahead of this season that after returning to the court following his torn Achilles injury, he has a new perspective.

Having a fresh perspective coming off the bench could mean a whole lot as far as wanting to be that sparkplug that every successful team needs.

Plus, fans will never forget when Hood jumped off the bench and literally skipped into the Blazers-Nuggets second round playoff series game in quadruple overtime.

The Blazers got enough energy from Hood to bring them back to life.

His fresh legs, along with his confidence and the trust from his teammates helped the Trail Blazers secure a quadruple overtime game with a 140-137 victory over the Denver Nuggets on May 4, 2019.

Here’s to more skipping coming off the bench!

"},{"title":"The Wiley Vet: Carmelo Anthony vs. Robert Covington ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/CarmeloAnthony_USATSI_14855350.jpg","credit":"","published":1607459217,"caption":"

Now let’s just pause here for a moment…

Carmelo Anthony is the ultimate wily veteran in the league and the Blazers are grateful to have had him re-sign this season.

But we can look at this veteran role as a potential split role position. The young Trail Blazers can go to Melo for day-to-day NBA life questions and so much more. The future Hall of Famer is still going to be the go-to mentor and one of the biggest leaders off the court, but now – Robert Covington can enter that scene as well.

While Melo can continue to teach and bring the veteran leadership on and off the court, along with the elite isolation play on offense, Covington is going to bring his defensive-minded experience and skills to help out the young inconsistent defenders on the current Blazers roster.

Zach Collins, Anfernee Simons, and Gary Trent Jr. have all discussed how they’re eager to pick Covington’s brain on how he became a top 3 and D player in the league.

Having more than one extremely knowledgeable veteran, not to mention still having Damian Lillard as a top-notch leader, will be a big key to Portland's success this season. Despite big man Pau Gasol not playing last season with the Blazers due to a foot injury, he still brought championship pedigree that can’t be matched. It's always important to have superior mentors on the roster.

"},{"title":"The Cobra: Robert Covington vs. Derrick Jones Jr. ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/RobertCovington_GettyImages-1228444333.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607459394,"caption":"

A cobra strike is what the Trail Blazers were missing last season.

Portland’s inconsistent defense is what Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. are looking to turn around this season.

Will it be Covington’s elite 3 and D play or Jones Jr.’s dunks and D that could be just what the doctor ordered?

Either way, heading up defensive assignments will be a welcomed addition.

Both players have the physical gifts to strike at any moment defensively or slash through the lane on the other end.

The two will battle it out for who brings the most versatility this season, that’s for sure.

"},{"title":"Consistently... but with inconsistent playing time: Zach Collins vs. Anfernee Simons ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/ZachCollins_GettyImages-1264905239.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607460415,"caption":"

With an extremely deep roster, there could be a few players who don’t always see the floor on a consistent basis. Two such players could be Zach Collins and Anfernee Simons.

Collins is slated to make his return in mid to late January following surgery on his left ankle. As the Blazers ease him back into the rotation, he will most likely come off the bench and may continue to run with the second unit throughout the year.

Last season, in just 11 games played, Collins averaged 7.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 26.4 minutes per game.

Now with the frontcourt depth, Collins’ minutes could definitely be decreased especially when he returns to action and the Blazers most likely ease him back into the rotation.

But no matter what Collins is going to give maximum effort, especially in defending the rim.

The nice thing about Collins is his versatility. He could see time at both the four and the five this season.

As for Simons, he may not see the floor as much as he did last season after averaging 20.7 minutes per game, but having another year under his belt will be key. He will look to be the consistent offensive spark the Blazers need off the bench and with his comments early in training camp about his focus on defense, he could be a more valuable second unit piece this year even with seeing less time on the court.

"},{"title":"The Closers: Will Melo be on the floor when it matters? ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/CarmeloAnthony_GettyImages-1263045011.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1607460501,"caption":"

Coach Stotts has already mentioned his starting lineup to begin the year, but per usual, he also stated that starting doesn't matter -- it’s who finishes the games.

During the NBA restart, Carmelo Anthony was a starter and also came up big down the stretch. He showed that he could still bring that clutchness that all teams need. So even though Melo is going to transition to a bench role this year, it doesn’t mean we won’t see him out on the floor when it really matters.

Anthony could definitely close out games, especially if there is a favorable matchup for him or if he’s having himself a game. Coach Stotts has been known to keep players in the game if they have the hot-hand or have come up big on the other end of the court.

Just imagine witnessing Dame Time and Melo Time this season on any given night.

That sounds nice, doesn’t it?

"}]}

Five Trail Blazers roles up for grabs ahead of the 2020-21 season