In the Trail Blazers first two preseason games last week, Portland's depth and versatility did not go unnoticed.
But just how deep and strong is this team?
Think about this, the Blazers will have four talented and very capable big men able to step into the rotation once Zach Collins is healthy enough to play next month.
Download and subscribe to the Talkin' Blazers Podcast
So that’s Collins, with Jusuf Nurkic starting at five and Enes Kanter and Harry Giles backing him.
Not too shabby, huh?
Especially considering the way Gilles has performed. Not only is he an athletic and mobile big with heaps and heaps of potential, he’s also healthy.
Which we know is going to be key for him this season.
Giles has said that he is looking to put his injuries behind him and that his body is feeling good.
Now let’s go back to the bigs’ versatility.
That’s something that excites Kanter and should excite Trail Blazers fans as well.
Kanter likes to think of Portland's centers as the bruisers.
“I said this from day one, I think we’re just going to go out there and bruise people. So I think once we get everything settled it’s going to be fun to watch.”
But he also has another comparison that 90s kids are going to love...
“When they become together, they become a very unbeatable robot,” Kanter said with a big smile. “That’s exactly how we are. With Nurkic’s talent, my talent, and Giles’ talent, and then we’ve got to put Zach and Melo and everybody, now sometimes Derrick [Jones Jr.] at the four, so it’s going to become a very special thing and I’m excited about it.”
So does that mean Nurkic is the red power ranger?
Let’s go with that.
But it’s a great comparison when thinking about how each big man's game is so different from one another.
When they come together, they become unbeatable as Kanter puts it.
Derrick Jones Jr., who will see time at the four this season, also praised the well-rounded depth at center following Tuesday’s practice.
“Nurkic is a beast offensively and defensively,” Jones Jr. added. “And then we’ve got Harry -- he's young. Once he gets the opportunity to go out there and show what he can do, I believe that Harry can shock the world.”
Shock the world? That's high praise.
But if anyone knows the true potential of Giles it would be Jones Jr. The two grew up playing in the AAU circuit and have been good friends since they were 10 years old.
And now...
It’s morphin’ time.