On this week's episode of the Blazer's Edge podcast, host Danny Marang is joined by Nekias Duncan of basketballnews.com (and follower of all things Miami Heat) to talk about: the Trail Blazer's offseason acquisitions; specifically former Miami Heat wing Derrick Jones Jr, the impact that Robert Covington could have on the Blazers, a changing and possibly more aggressive Portland defense, how the rotation could shake out, where Portland sits in a loaded Western Conference and more!

Intro 

Nekias Duncan on the show!

Opening Comments

Thoughts on Derrick Jones Jr getting the MLE 1:30

Who Does DJJ remind you of? 3:30

What will DJJ's primary role be in Portland? 5:45

DJJ is the best athlete Portland has had in two decades 7:30

What are the drawbacks of DJJ - what will keep him off the floor? 9:00

Do you believe he can continue to add to his game? 10:30

Do you think DJJ is going to have the work rate to maximize his potential? 13:30

Does coming to Portland unlock anything for DJJ? 14:30

How good are DJJ's hands - can he go catch it anywhere? 17:00

Thoughts on the addition of Robert Covington? 18:00

Will Portland get more aggressive defensively this year? 19:00

Is Covington a floor raiser or a ceiling raiser? 22:00

Portland has added a lot of bigs, is this the way to go? 24:00

Portland has real versatility now - can they mix & match? 26:00

Is Covington more of a 3 or a 4? 27:00

What's the best starting lineup Portland could roll out with everyone healthy? 28:00 

Does Portland need to add another ball handler? 31:00

The Blazers have a 2nd generation behind the starters 33:00

What do you like about Harry Giles and his fit in Portland? 34:00

How much should Giles play? 38:00

The return of Carmelo Anthony 41:00

What will Melo's role be this season? 42:00

Who is left out of the rotation in the frontcourt? 46:00

After the early free agency period, where do the BLazers fall in the Western Conference? 48:00

Have the Blazers done enough to make a Western COnference Finals run? 50:30

How the Western Conference is shaping up; Luka Doncic, Chris Paul to the Suns 53:30

What would Portland have to do to be a no doubt contender? 54:30

Closing comments

Outro

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices