Donovan Clingan didn’t do much offensively in his Trail Blazers Summer League debut but the former UConn center showed off his defensive prowess, Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report notes. Clingan had 13 rebounds and five blocks while altering numerous other San Antonio shots.
“I thought he was awesome,” Portland Summer League coach Jonah Herscu said. “I thought he protected the paint. His size really impacts the other team at the offensive end.”
The lottery pick was less impressed by his outing than his coach was.
“I feel like there were a couple shots around the rim that I could have contested better or blocked,” Clingan said. “There were some floaters they made that I’m not happy with. I wish I’d rebounded the ball a little bit better in the first half.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. isn’t guaranteed a rotation spot with the Timberwolves but he had a solid showing in his Summer League debut. Shannon, selected with the No.27 pick, played with force and physicality while racking up 25 points. “I was just proud of how he handled the game, managed it. He took great shots; he didn’t force anything,” Summer League coach Chris Hines told The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. “But one of the things that I loved about him was he competed on defense.”
- The Jazz‘s decision to offer restricted free agent Johnny Juzang a four-year contract shows that they are looking within the organization to round out the roster, Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune writes. There are better players on the free agent market than Juzang, Larsen notes, but the Jazz feel he can play a spot role. They filled Juzang’s two-way slot with Taevion Kinsey, who played last season for the G League Salt Lake City Stars.
- Christian Braun is the logical successor to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — who left for Orlando as a free agent — as the Nuggets’ starting shooting guard, but he’s not taking that for granted, according to Bennett Durando of the Denver Post. “We have a lot of similarities, I think,” he said. “Defensively, kind of being pests. Offensively, we both fit alongside Nikola (Jokic). And it’s the reason we were brought in. I was brought in to play with those guys, and so was he. … I think I’m gonna do a great job the same way he did a great job. And I’m excited for that. I’m excited for the opportunity to, like I said, go out and earn it.”
TWolves showing they had a great draft with Dillingham and Shannon Jr.
Dillingham will get to okay back up to Conley who is an awesome vet for him and then long term obviously the plan is for him and ANT to be this amazing duo.
Shannon Jr late in the first is a steal tho, he’s definitely got a bright future in this league and he’s proving to teams he should’ve gone higher.
He might not get many minutes as a rookie on a win now side but I could see him beating out Minnott and earning himself a bigger role as the season plays out.
As for Clingan, don’t think he’s going to put up crazy numbers as a rookie, that’s not his game. He’s going to be a really good defender and play his part of offence but he’s not going to be grabbing the headlines especially in the Blazers overloaded front court. They really need to ship out Ayton and let Clingan get the minutes.
Wonder how desperate the Pelicans are to move Ingram? Ayton for Ingram?
Wiggins, GP2 and draft picks??
To Toronto for Bruce Brown and bits?
Johnny Flynn has returned in different body
Can somebody please explain. Why In the hell did 2 different Gms Decide to pick 7’2(& over)players in the top 10. When those type of players are unplayable in the playoffs?! Also can somebody explain the difference between those guys and tacko fall??
Tacko Fall is a great athlete. However, he’s not nearly as skilled or has the BBall IQ of either of these guys. They helped get their teams to the NCAA championship for a reason. You don’t do that by making a lot of mistakes.
As for the NBA, the era of the big man is slowly returning again. Just look at Jokic. He’s already won a title. Would you call him a liability in the playoffs?
He’s not that fast, so it’s understandable why he wasn’t drafted until the second round.
However, his skill and BBall IQ, along with toughness dwarfs all that. Edey has a combination of that as well.
Sometimes, all it takes is the right coach or the wrong coach to determine how effective a player can be. Why do you think so many college players have dramatically better stats in the NBA?
Part of that is 48 min, bigger bodies, and the wider spacing. The other is the generally superior coaches who can optimize their players’ talents.
Less skill than Clingan?! You just made that up because he had a way better fg% in college. So one player is slowly bringing the big man position. Yet this season the Cs won a ring without an elite post player. Edey & Clingan wouldn’t even be able to stay on the floor for more than 5 minutes in an NBA playoff game.
Huh? Essentially, I implied both Clingan and Edey were very skilled. Big men are on the rise.
What a Lucky casual. Big men are on the rise again. So 7’3 Kristaps is not the Celtics Center …
Jokic, Joel E etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc all dominate the midgets.
This era is about watching each other shoot 3s but I hope this garbage era is almost over. C’s and PF’s get all the hate and no consideration because they don’t switch onto a guard the opposing PG or whoever along with launching 12 3’s a game. SF pretending to be PF’s and C’s. I bet Ewing would have liked to shoot some 3s. Stop doing the switching crap. Every team plays the same.
Tired of these 6’8,6’9,6’6,6’4 etc etc midget C’s. I don’t want to hear about wingspan when the bigger C’s are ragdolling those midget C’s around.
I am glad I know every era ever and ever player. I know all the true knowledgeable basketball fans in here. I see so many casuals too. Benboy is right
Just because you like this era of watching each other shoot while playing no defense, dribbling, crying, flopping, overpaid, overrated etc etc Garbage Ball doesn’t mean you are right.
Can’t wait to see Edey post up Draymond Green.
This era would lose to every other era ever (This era could beat the early 50s players). Remember too Bill Russell is the late 50s.
Exactly. I prefer more variety. The game is more interesting now with more low post scoring coming in.
I only mentioned Edey as an example, since I’ve seen him more. Plus, his stats in college are similar to the great big men of the past.
I’m sure both Edey and Clingan will be eating up these skinny defenders. All they need is a good push or hook shot and they’re unguardable in today’s 6-10 centers league.
A prophet for this lost generation. Bring back handchecking abd other rules from when men played the game.
KP isn’t an elite post player & how many games did he play in the finals ?! Why are you getting emotional ? I simply asked a simple question and I am a casual even though I have played professional basketball lol. It’s funny out of 30 teams you were only able to name 2(I’ll give you 3 with KP lol) guys yet you “casuals” seem to believe that the big man position is coming back. Don’t get me wrong those 2 will have some great games , but the NBA is fasts af. Let’s see if they will be able to stay healthy and compete.