Keeping It Heel
Fansided

2019 NBA Draft: Nassir Little looks to bring versatility to the Trail Blazers

By Alec Lasley

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Nassir Little poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the 25th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Nassir Little poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the 25th overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dunks against the Iona Gaels during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. The North Carolina Tar Heels won 88-73. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dunks against the Iona Gaels during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. The North Carolina Tar Heels won 88-73. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Offense

Is this the new wave of the Golden State Warriors?

Just like them, the Trail Blazers have built their winning roster around Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, imitating that of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, and Nassir Little may fit the role played by a former Tar Heel as well, Harrison Barnes.

The Trail Blazers were in desperate need of a wing to play off of their fantastic backcourt and Little steps right into that role. Though offensively still raw, he does a lot of good things that coaches can’t teach.

Little’s motor and athleticism are what will get him early minutes immediately. Right now, the Blazers have just Evan Turner and Moe Harkless under contract for next season on the wing and Little’s upside far surpasses that of Harkless and Turner.

With small ball becoming the next great lineup in the NBA, Little will be able to play a stretch-four, but still has the versatility to play a Draymond Green type small-ball five in a few settings.

As of now, the Trail Blazers have far more true bigs than small ball forwards.

Though making just 26.9 percent of his threes a season ago, he has a relatively smooth shooting stroke and a lot of his shots seemed forced last year and off of the dribble.

The best part about Little’s fit with this lineup is most of his shots will most likely come off of rebound putbacks. Last year, the backcourt duo of the Trail Blazers took nearly 40 percent of the team’s total shot attempts.

With Little’s 6-foot-6 and 220-pound frame, he became a physical specimen doing such last year at Carolina, averaging nearly two offensive rebounds per game.

It comes down to Little sticking to what he can do best on the offensive end, and that is getting offensive rebounds and outmuscling smaller wings in the paint, using his athleticism to dominate the boards.

From a team that ranked third in the NBA in offensive rebounds a season ago, if Little can make that his niche, he will be hard to take off the floor.

Home/UNC Basketball