Game Thread 2025 SL GAME #2 - BLAZERS VS GRIZZLIES - JULY 12, 2025 - SATURDAY - 7:30 PM - ESPN 2

[blazerkor]

Our drafting busts are well-known to us.

Yeah but did you know in 2017 we drafted Zach Collins instead of guys like Bam Adebayo, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and OG Anunoby. Then just seven picks later we drafted Caleb Swanigan (RIP) in front of guys like Kyle Kuzma, Derrick White, Josh Hart and that's just the guys we passed on in the first round. In the second round of that draft Isaiah Hartenstein was taken with the 43rd pick.

I bet you forgot all about that... actually I'm betting you might still remember that one too.

 

[Everything Beagle]

Yeah but did you know in 2017 we drafted Zach Collins instead of guys like Bam Adebayo, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and OG Anunoby. Then just seven picks later we drafted Caleb Swanigan (RIP) in front of guys like Kyle Kuzma, Derrick White, Josh Hart and that's just the guys we passed on in the first round. In the second round of that draft Isaiah Hartenstein was taken with the 43rd pick.

I bet you forgot all about that... actually I'm betting you might still remember that one too.

I guess what I meant is it’s funny that, on a blazers forum, a blazers fan mentions another team has a bad reputation in the draft and another blazers fan pipes up with "Never forget Portland is worse" which like yeah yeah the time-knife we've all seen it.

 

[Natebishop3]

We picked Meyers at 11

Meyers had a much longer career than this guy lol

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't ever get this sentiment. Let the dude hoop. He isn't dominating at this level or anything so if he's feeling good get him reps.

I know we look at SL as a lesser product to the real NBA because it is but his team got blown out buy the Hornets SL squad last summer so this definitely is a step up in competition for him. If he does play and get injured you'll probably be mad about it but again I say let the young dude hoop.

I don't ever get mad at our coaching staff about injuries when young guys are getting needed reps. If we overplay guys, sure then there's a reason to get mad when they get injured but Yang has only put in 48 minutes over two games and our next game is Tuesday. He'll get plenty of rest and practice between now and then.

Sounds like you're making a case to cancel summer league all together.

I'm not worried about Yang getting injured, at all. He's our 3rd string center.

I think Summer League is dangerous. More dangerous than just some pickup games. You have a bunch of desperate scrubs who are playing reckless to try to impress the GMs and scouts. He had a couple games. I saw what I wanted to see. Mail it in.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Baby Sabas

Wasn’t that Nurkic nickname for a short time when he started as a Blazers?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

We picked Meyers at 11

He was born and drafted to be a star....

...in country music.

He sucks at that, too.

He should stick to online gaming (oh, wait...).

 

[kjironman1]

We don't play Wednesday

They do Thursday vs Houston. The Tournament actually starts after Thursday. The Blazers obviously are not the only team playing and are not really the draw to Summer league. On Wednesday Dallas plays @5 pm vs Philly.
Now if the Blazers can actually win the next two games they might be playing Friday and Saturday.
The reason I'm even going is because of the tournament my nephew is playing. That runs Thursday- Sunday. So really I'll be watching basketball for about 6 days straight.

 

[kjironman1]

I seriously doubt he'll be in the rotation. Great summer league player though!

Might make the Remix.

 

[inconceivable]

They do Thursday vs Houston. The Tournament actually starts after Thursday. The Blazers obviously are not the only team playing and are not really the draw to Summer league. On Wednesday Dallas plays @5 pm vs Philly.
Now if the Blazers can actually win the next two games they might be playing Friday and Saturday.
The reason I'm even going is because of the tournament my nephew is playing. That runs Thursday- Sunday. So really I'll be watching basketball for about 6 days straight.

if im not mistaken pacquiao is fighting on saturday the 19th. in his prime atmosphere in vegas is electric on fight night

 

[kjironman1]

Yang is going to motivate Clingan

Clingan does not need motivation. Kid is solid through and through. Works hard every day on and off the court.

 

[kjironman1]

Goddamn announcers don't even understand how stretching a bought out contract works. They think Dame has to wait for his money on the stretch schedule instead of just getting his money as it was originally agreed to. SMH

That depends on if he plays again and for how much. They are correct that he will have to wait a little longer for his money in that instance. If he just sits for 5 years he will wait.
You are correct though. He ain't going to sit and he will play and get paid.

 

[kjironman1]

if im not mistaken pacquiao is fighting on saturday the 19th. in his prime atmosphere in vegas is electric on fight night

Really? Wow so much going on. There ain't no way I'm going to see it all. I want to see Criss Angel mindfreak at some point but every time I go to Vegas I'm swamped and there just isn't time.

 

[kjironman1]

He's a pretty bad rebounder given his height, footwork, touch, etc.

It's going to get worse the minute he is playing against real NBA players. If you think Ayton was bad just wait.

 

[kjironman1]

I don't think Yang was going to play more than one more game is my guess.

Are they trying to keep him from getting injured? There is not a player out there that they should be protecting at this point.

 

[kjironman1]

We are already out

Why do you think that? Last time they won the championship they were 3-1 going into the playoffs. Points count in this tournament.
Granted SA, OKC, Kings and T-wolves are undefeated but the Raptors are +44 and Suns are +19

Blazers are +11.5

With a few losses and if the Blazers could win their next two and add to their points they can get in.

 

[kjironman1]

Nah, he needs the conditioning

Conditioning and experience. He's getting work in. Against players that are working for contracts. He's getting exposure at this level when half the nation never heard of him.
Why on earth would they sit him? Are they afraid he going to get hurt? If he's that frail then find out now.

 

[kjironman1]

I think Summer League is dangerous. More dangerous than just some pickup games. You have a bunch of desperate scrubs who are playing reckless to try to impress the GMs and scouts. He had a couple games. I saw what I wanted to see. Mail it in.

Because we see injuries at a level higher than anywhere else? Sorry but i don't see it.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Are there any real point guards left? I remember the day where PG’s job was to creat shots for teammates and make the game easier.

I actually liked Booknight (Sp?) better than I like Love at least offensively. Love was a chucker last night

 

[Hoopguru]

After watching Yang for two games I feel he's got some talent but not yet strong enough has a hard time posting up in summer league. His ability to position for rebounds isny great yet. I know its summer league and he's just 20 so it will be a few years before he's a factor, imo.

 

[Everything Beagle]

Wasn’t that Nurkic nickname for a short time when he started as a Blazers?

Before he stopped trying out there yeah

 

[Everything Beagle]

After watching Yang for two games I feel he's got some talent but not yet strong enough has a hard time posting up in summer league. His ability to position for rebounds isny great yet. I know it’s summer league and he's just 20 so it will be a few years before he's a factor, imo.

Never judge a young player until they’re 23

 

[Everything Beagle]

Clingan does not need motivation. Kid is solid through and through. Works hard every day on and off the court.

I’m sorry I accidentally implied he needed motivation. I meant it as a positive only. They’re going to make each other better.

 

[kjironman1]

I’m sorry I accidentally implied he needed motivation. I meant it as a positive only. They’re going to make each other better.

They certainly can motivate each other. Yes they both have qualities that each of them can build upon.

 

[Hoopguru]

Never judge a young player until they’re 23

Not judging him just my ignorant evaluation. You're so right about these young players coming in at 18-20, it stakes a few years to even see what they are made of and how talented they may be..

 

[Strenuus]

Lol its summer league. It doesnt matter.

 

[Everything Beagle]

Lol it’s summer league. It doesnt matter.

It’s fun to watch our players.

 

[wizenheimer]

I was thinking about that too..... it's insane how good the top.... what.... 300 players are? How is there such a huge gap in skill between the guys on an NBA roster and the rest of the known world?

I'd think the 'top' is probably quite a bit less than 300. Quite a few starters are marginal; so are a lot of rotational players. But even those marginal players would totally dominate a city league game

still hard to get my head around 4-5 year deals for 200-300M

 

[wizenheimer]

That depends on if he plays again and for how much. They are correct that he will have to wait a little longer for his money in that instance. If he just sits for 5 years he will wait.
You are correct though. He ain't going to sit and he will play and get paid.

the stretch provision does not alter contracts. It only alters the cap-impact of said contracts. IIRC, the only method for altering existing contracts is the buy-out provision

Milwaukee waived Dame but still has to pay him according to the contract schedule: 54M next season; 58M the season after

 

[SheedSoNasty]

It’s fun to watch our players.

You should know that “our” doesn’t apply to Stren.

 

[wizenheimer]

Are there any real point guards left? I remember the day where PG’s job was to creat shots for teammates and make the game easier.

I actually liked Booknight (Sp?) better than I like Love at least offensively. Love was a chucker last night

Love was an inefficient chucker in college too. Over 5 seasons, 38% on FG's; under 33% from the college 3 point line; and a TS mark under 51%