Clingan, the towering 7-foot-2 center picked seventh overall in the NBA's June draft, showcased his defensive prowess, living up to the hype surrounding his former Connecticut star status. In his 27 minutes on the court, Clingan pulled down 13 rebounds and swatted away five shots, making his presence known in the paint. However, his much-anticipated shooting touch was notably absent. He managed to score only four points, hitting just one of his eight field goal attempts, including missing all three of his three-point shots, and picked up five personal fouls.
The game had its highlights, with Alex Reese leading the Blazers with 16 points. Second-year forward Rayan Rupert had a solid performance, contributing 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting, along with six rebounds and five assists, despite committing six turnovers. Fellow second-year forward Kris Murray chipped in with nine points, two assists, and two rebounds. Forward Justin Minaya also made an impact with 12 points and four steals, showing his defensive capabilities.
On the Spurs' side, guard Stephon Castle, the No. 4 pick in the draft, was the top scorer of the game, racking up 22 points on 8-of-21 shooting, though he also had five turnovers. The Blazers started slowly, trailing 28-18 at the end of the first quarter and 51-31 at halftime, and they struggled to catch up throughout the game.
Blazers summer league coach Jonah Herscu reflected on the game, describing it as "a tale of two halves." He acknowledged that the team started off poorly but began to play more cohesively in the third quarter. "I thought we came out; they were the aggressor in the first half. I thought we’ve started to play in the right way in the third quarter," Herscu said. Indeed, the Blazers outscored the Spurs 46-32 in the second half, with Rupert scoring 11 of his points after halftime and Minaya adding eight points.
Herscu highlighted the team's resilience, saying, "I think we fought our way back. Obviously, in the fourth quarter, we gave ourselves a chance. So, I really liked the fight. We got to clean up, obviously, the turnovers and their offensive rebounds. But I liked a lot of what we did." The Blazers' 18 turnovers were a significant issue, with 11 coming in the first half, during which they shot just 31.6% from the field. The Spurs, despite committing 24 turnovers, managed to grab 15 offensive rebounds, leading to 17 second-chance points, compared to the Blazers' nine offensive rebounds and two second-chance points.
Clingan's performance was a focal point of the game. The Blazers have high hopes that he can develop into a more formidable offensive player than he showed in his debut. During his two seasons at Connecticut, Clingan averaged 13 points on 63.9% shooting, indicating his potential. However, on Saturday, he struggled to find his rhythm, missing three shots in the first quarter and not making his first and only field goal until the second quarter. At halftime, he had just two points on 1-of-7 shooting, with seven rebounds and two blocked shots. He didn't attempt a shot in the third quarter and took just one in the fourth, though he did manage to block two more shots.
For Blazers fans, there's a lot to be optimistic about despite the loss. Clingan's defensive skills are undeniable, and his offensive game is a work in progress that will benefit from more game experience. As the summer league progresses, there will be ample opportunities for Clingan and the rest of the Blazers' roster to showcase their talents and improve their performance.
The game served as a reminder of the intensity and unpredictability of summer league play. The young players are still finding their footing, and every game is a learning experience. For Clingan, Reese, Rupert, Murray, and Minaya, the takeaway from this game will be to focus on their strengths, learn from their mistakes, and continue to build chemistry as a team.
So, while the Blazers didn't come out on top, the fight and potential displayed in the second half give a glimpse of what could be a promising future. As Coach Herscu aptly put it, cleaning up turnovers and improving on offensive rebounds will be key areas to address. With the right adjustments and continued hard work, the Blazers' summer league journey has only just begun, and there’s much more to look forward to.
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