Lineup change offers three-guard look

PORTLAND — Change came early to the Portland Trail Blazers’ starting lineup this season.

After hinting during a Friday morning shootaround that he might shake things up, Blazers coach Nate McMillan followed through with the tease just before his team tipped off against the San Antonio Spurs at the Rose Garden.

McMillan decided to insert point guard Andre Miller in Portland’s starting lineup.

The move was not a shock.

Miller was the Blazers’ main offseason acquisition, and the 10-year veteran said after signing with Portland that he joined the team expecting to start.

However, what was a mild jolt was McMillan’s decision to insert Miller in place of small forward Martell Webster, instead of point guard Steve Blake.

At the core of McMillan’s decision was his desire to maximize Miller’s potential.

“Getting Andre with that first group — I’d like to see more,” McMillan said.

McMillan said the Blazers might stick with Miller and Blake in the starting lineup for the next two weeks. He stated that he consulted Portland’s upcoming schedule — which includes a home game Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves followed by a five-game road trip — before making his decision.