NBA Breaking News: Carmelo Anthony Gets Starting Nod In Portland Debut; Twitter Erupts

The highly anticipated return of Carmelo Anthony into the NBA hardcourt just gets more intense as it approaches. About two hours before his debut as a Portland Trailblazer, the 10-time All-Star is said to be taking a starter role and is expected to play around 20 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears.

The 35-year-old Syracuse product officially became a Trail Blazer after he had inked the non-guaranteed deal he was offered earlier in the day. Anthony will wear an odd “00” jersey number after what appeared to be some opposition from Blazers supporters about him wearing his usual no. 7 jersey as it had been worn by former Portland star Brandon Roy.

But his fans immediately showed excitement after learning that Melo will be active for tonight, let alone when they realized that the former 3^rd overall pick in 2003 will be a starter in his debut.

​

Carmelo Anthony last played in the NBA on Nov. 8, 2018, with the Rockets. During his short stint with the team, he still averaged in double figures with 13.4 per game.

The 2013 NBA scoring champion addressed his return to the league on Monday via his Youtube channel. There he said, "I always kept my eye on Portland. It just didn't work out at other times. But now it seems like a perfect opportunity. I just look at that team and say, 'This is what I can bring, this is where I can help.' It can only work if all parties see it the same way."

Coach Terry Stotts and his staff are expecting Anthony to fill the hole on the injury-bugged three-spot of the Blazers who are struggling 14 games into the season. The team is currently at the 12^th spot in the Western Conference and has lost seven of its last 10 games. They are also awful at home, winning only once in five outings.