Blazers' Backcourt a Team Concept

[Steve Smith]

There is no prescribed formula for how Portland Trail Blazers coach Mike Dunleavy handles his point guard situation. He openly contends it's a matter of instinct, based upon game situations.

 

Damon Stoudamire starts, and depending upon how he plays, will generally get the bulk of the minutes. The 1995-96 NBA Rookie of the Year is primarily looked upon to score. Greg Anthony, in his ninth season, is the defensive-minded backup who will sometimes be called upon to finish what Stoudamire started.

 

Last season, Dunleavy elected to use Anthony in certain key fourth-quarter situations down the stretch, as the coach preferred to go with his hunches rather than rely on numbers and tendencies.

 

"There's been a lot made of that, but it's really about nothing," Dunleavy said. "There both quality point guards. Damon's probably a little bit more offensive-minded and Greg's probably a little more defensive-oriented, so depending a lot of times on how the game is going, I'll go with one or the other down the stretch."

 

In 59 games, Stoudamire is averaging 12.7 points and 5.3 assists in in 30.5 minutes. Anthony has played in all 63 games for the Blazers, averaging 6.9 points and 2.6 assists in 19.2 minutes.

 

"It's just about winning," Anthony said. "Our games complement each other. Damon's more of an offensive force, he can do more things offensively. I just try to stabilize things on the defensive end."

 

A similar situation exists across the board in Portland. The Blazers are two-deep at virtually every position, and Dunleavy will often go with who's hot or fits a particular matchup need. Steve Smith is often spelled by a younger Bonzi Wells. Scottie Pippen, considered one of the finest defensive forwards in league history, is not above taking a rest. Portland's second unit, which consists of Anthony, Wells, Detlef Schrempf, Brian Grant and Jermaine O'Neal, would make a formidable starting five.

 

"It all has to do with what group's going good, what guy's going good, what we need," Anthony said. "Mike makes those decisions and we just abide by them."

 

What makes the situation more amicable is both Stoudamire and Anthony share a mutual respect for each other. Last Tuesday against New Jersey, Stoudamire returned to the lineup after missing one game with a leg injury. Dunleavy played Stoudamire all 12 minutes of the first quarter. After the period ended, Anthony was the first player to greet Stoudamire and ask him how he felt.

 

"I like Damon a lot and I have a lot of respect for him," Anthony said. "He's a really good person. "Now he's starting to fall into his role."

 

And Anthony's there to back him up.

 

STEVE...@TISCALINET.IT