Clingan could be a defensive anchor. Elite instincts at 7’4” and moves really well - even if his feet are a bit clunky.
I don't think it is so unlikely. Spurs have won 5 of their last 13, victories over Indiana. Phoenix, OKC, Nets and Warriors. We just need to do our part by losing out and I think we would have a chance.
Although if it got down to the last game of the season, Pop might decide that was enough of building a winning culture and go for the loss.
I'm sure some teams, likely including us, will have both in for workouts on the same day. Let them play some 1 v 1 and then let them play 3 v 3 since then NBA is a team game. I was pretty damn sure that JR Rider was the best one on one player in basketball at some point but that dude didn't understand playing on a team. All of that said, I like the fire from Buzelis and if we can back it up and outclass Risacher in workouts leading up to the draft then good for him.
OK, first of those five posssible wins for Spurs, beat Jazz. Now only two games seperate them from Portland. Entirely possible to catch them unless Pop goes to tank mode. And he might. Nobody wants to drop out of top three, which all have same lottery odds.
I’m going by what he’s likely at with shoes. He measured 7’3” without shoes last summer: https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uc...e/donovan-clingan-huskies-height-18424366.php “Donovan Clingan measured 7 feet, 3 inches tall without shoes this past summer, but he'll continue to be listed at 7-2 on the UConn men's basketball roster during the 2023-24 season.”
The Portland- Charlotte game could be comical with both teams wanting to lose. I don't see any other wins for Charlotte except maybe the last game if Cleveland sits everyone, and that is a long shot. The Blazers have 3 possible wins.... Charlotte, Washington, and maybe the Warriors if they want to go all in on that one.
They don't list measurements with shoes anymore, but luckily every prospect has to measure now so we'll see!
I am a big believer in Karma, except in sports where it does not seem to happen much. SA is example #1
Watching Edey play again, right now. Dominant performance. I truly think it's going to be difficult to contain him. Much of the stuff he does here, he'll be able to do in the NBA. His strength and his size is difficult to go up against, even for NBA 7 footers. His weakness is on defense, with drop coverage on pick and rolls. But even then, with adjustments and smart thinking, coaches and players can mitigate for that, especially if Portland finally acquires wing/forwards that can play defense (and score too)......which this draft does possess. Fyi, here are Zach Edey's 2023 Combine Numbers: Lane agility test: 11.37 seconds In terms of moving back and forth, this makes him faster than Steven Adams, Demarcus Cousins, Nikola Vuvecic, Jarrett Allen, Greg Oden (and KD by default). 3/4 court sprint test: 3.45 seconds Here, he's faster than Cousins, Lopez, and comparable to Claxton, Oden, Vuvecic, Adams. Essentially, with regard to straight line speed, he is fine and quite quick for a center. And this was recorded before he lost 20lbs, mind you. I really honestly wouldn't overthink Zach Edey. Using that Warriors pick on him is worth it.
