The Trail Blazers defeated the Knicks on Sunday to win the 2022 Las Vegas Summer League championship, winning the contest 85-77. Portland was led by Trendon Watford, who finished with 19 points and was named the championship game MVP.
In addition to his 19 points, Watford also recorded seven rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block, shooting 7-of-15 from the floor. The Blazers finished 4-1 during summer league play and also received a strong performance from two-way player Brandon Williams (22 points) in the final game.
There’s more from the Northwest Division this evening:
- Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe interviewed new Jazz coach Will Hardy, who recently joined Utah after serving as an assistant with the Celtics. Hardy reflected on his experience with Boston, which included a successful trip to the NBA Finals. “It’s not lost on me that what our guys in Boston did on the floor is a huge reason why I had an opportunity to get this job,” Hardy said. “I think sometimes we can get a little bit full of ourselves as coaches thinking we’re the reason, and I think we’re a part of it. We have a role in the team, and the success of last year, I think the coaching staff had a part of that. But the players and what they did in between the lines and their winning … that’s a huge reason I got this job. So I feel very fortunate for the year in Boston for a variety of reasons.”
- Mike Singer of the Denver Post examines how Nikola Jokic‘s super-max extension become a family reunion this summer. Jokic was joined by Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth and other staff members in his home country of Serbia before signing the extension.
- The Timberwolves are hoping Rudy Gobert can help unlock the best version of D’Angelo Russell next season, head coach Chris Finch said, as relayed by Chris Hine of the Star Tribune. Hine and Finch also discussed a variety of other topics, including what the offense will look like, how Finch wants to see Jaden McDaniels grow, and more.
Damnn Trendon Watford got a ring before Dame
Shaedon Sharpe too
With depth
Wolves are going to win more games than Mavs and Nuggets
I’m inclined to agree. The Mavs will need to adjust to life without Brunson and it will take time for Wood to adjust to the Mavs. And the Nuggets will probably play it safe with Murray and especially Porter, so I’d expect some B2Bs missed on top of the expected rust.
So Jokic, without MPJ or Murray, and company finish 2 games ahead of Wolves.
Now lets say 85% MPJ and Murray to account for restrictions.
So that is a difference that Rudy Gobert closes? Basically that Rudy>Murray+MPJ at 85%+2 games.
Ant better improve a lot because I don’t think most people would take Gobert over Murray AND MPJ, much less argue that he will improve a team more than those two combined.
Poor Coach Hardy is having team dismantled before his eyes. Gotta be tough on any coach much less a 1st year one. Although, I would hope he knew before accepting that it was going to happen.