Donovan Clingan Appreciation Thread (2 Viewers)

[wizenheimer]

He's already very easily in that range, IMO. This assumes either no improvement, or everyone else below just improves more?

yeah, if I was to construct tiers of C's off the top of my head:

1st Tier - Jokic, Wemby

2nd Tier - Adebayo, Holmgren, Sengun, KAT (Embiid disqualified by availability)

3rd Tier - Clingan, Zubac, Gobert, Allen, Duren, Sabonis

I'm sure I'm probably forgetting somebody

there isn't a big difference between that 2nd tier and the 3rd tier either. So, pretty easily, in my mind at least, Clingan is already in the top-10. It's wild that Wemby, Duren, and Clingan are all 22; Clingan is the youngest

I'm also not buying the narrative that Clingan will be "played off the floor". The same tired narrative was always applied to Gobert. Guess what: in 13 seasons, Gobert has averaged 30.7 minutes in the regular season; and 32.4 in the playoffs. When C's can rebound, protect the rim, and intimidate shots in the paint like Gobert and Clingan, they won't be played off the floor. Personally, I think Splitter keeps Clingan on the bench a little too much at times

 

[julius]

Ouch. Almost like some kind of abrasive toilet compound, huh? Comet, that's it, comet! Tell me, why could DC could not look at Shaw's finishing at the rim to at least see what he can adopt or try? Anyway.

Same reason he can't look Wembys footwork and the way he attacks the rim. It's way out of his skill set and ability.

Shaq was unique and probably not only outweighs DC by 100 lbs but he was as strong as a small planet.

DC has neither of qualities

 

[tlongII]

Same reason he can't look Wembys footwork and the way he attacks the rim. It's way out of his skill set and ability.

Shaq was unique and probably not only outweighs DC by 100 lbs but he was as strong as a small planet.

DC has neither of qualities

Oh I think DC is plenty strong enough and he’s only going to get stronger over the next 4-6 years.

 

[Chris Craig]

Oh I think DC is plenty strong enough and he’s only going to get stronger over the next 4-6 years.

Really, it's learning how to use his strength.

My biggest issue with him, is his inability to close out on shooters on the perimeter or even sometimes an opposing player taking a jumper.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Really, it's learning how to use his strength.

My biggest issue with him, is his inability to close out on shooters on the perimeter or even sometimes an opposing player taking a jumper.

This subject is tough for me. I mean, how many of the top centers are good at it? I can think of 2. (Victor, Bam) Although there are probably a few more.
But do teams really want their shot blockers that far away from the basket? Kind of defeats the purpose of having a rim protector in the game.

I do agree he could be more aggressive at times, closing out on guards who get in the paint and shoot a step back jumper....but thats nit picking on my part.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Well yeah. Thats the comp of his ceiling. You think he has maxed out his talents in year two?

If you’ve paid attention, I think he’s exceeded his ceiling

 

[julius]

Oh I think DC is plenty strong enough and he’s only going to get stronger over the next 4-6 years.

He'll probably get stronger, but for him to model his game after Shaq is unrealistic.

 

[wizenheimer]

He'll probably get stronger, but for him to model his game after Shaq is unrealistic.

I think Clingan could plow thru Chris Dudley easily...that's pretty Shaq-like

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think Clingan could plow thru Chris Dudley easily...that's pretty Shaq-like

You hate to see white on white crime like that

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

If you’ve paid attention, I think he’s exceeded his ceiling

Then you had a very low bar.
But that's irrelevant to whether he will continue to improv to be better than Gasol or not, no?

Year two. I expect more improvement, especially in decision making, hands, and to a lesser degree, footwork.
I think the only thing that will hold him back is potential injuries. (Knock on wood)

 

[Pinwheel1]

Then you had a very low bar.
But that's irrelevant to whether he will continue to improv to be better than Gasol or not, no?

Year two. I expect more improvement, especially in decision making, hands, and to a lesser degree, footwork.
I think the only thing that will hold him back is potential injuries. (Knock on wood)

I had a pretty low bar for him. I was fine with the pick. I was hoping for Matas Buzelis before the draft, but once we traded for Deni, I didn't care as much. He has exceeded my expectations.

 

[wizenheimer]

He has exceeded my expectations.

"I'll take 'Something Wizenheimer's Ex-Wives Never Said' for $400, Alex"

 

[Quatro44]

Interesting find from NBA reddit. Also maybe the Blazers should have kept Coward, oh well.

 

[blazerfan11]

Interesting find from NBA reddit. Also maybe the Blazers should have kept Coward, oh well.

Won't know for awhile until the Orlando unrestricted first-round pick is used one way or another. And maybe the two 2nd round picks.

Memphis gave that up to get the 11th pick Coward, plus the 16th pick (Yang).

 

[THE HCP]

Interesting find from NBA reddit. Also maybe the Blazers should have kept Coward, oh well.

I don’t remember reading any posts on here from people upset about Coward not staying. Maybe I missed all of those?

 

[Quatro44]

I don’t remember reading any posts on here from people upset about Coward not staying. Maybe I missed all of those?

Oh I am sure someone here mad about trading it for Yang. It’s water under the bridge now.

 

[MickZagger]

Really, it's learning how to use his strength.

My biggest issue with him, is his inability to close out on shooters on the perimeter or even sometimes an opposing player taking a jumper.

Mine is finishing strong. You’re the biggest guy on the floor. Finish with purpose. Grab. Collect. Flush.

 

[Chris Craig]

Mine is finishing strong. You’re the biggest guy on the floor. Finish with purpose. Grab. Collect. Flush.

He has to learn how to play through the contact. He gets hit going up and loses the ball or puts it up too soft because of that. Then he looks to the refs for a whistle. He's in Portland, he needs to give that up.

We have seen moments where he goes into the paint full force and throws it down with authority. Opponents move out of the way. We need more of that.

 

[twobullz]

I feel like if he has the ability to get a few free steps he can power it up, but really struggles to go straight up and dealing with contact.

 

[blazerfan11]

Clingan is Shooting the 3-pointers like Deni isn't! Maybe Avdija should just pass it out instead of taking them himself. He's the best on the team at driving and scoring/getting fouled. Do that instead.

Look at Toumani, Donovan, Scoot, Matisse, and Jrue. Just the kind of shooting Deni needs from his teammates, make use of it!!

5 a game at 25% is silly.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Clingan led the entire NBA in total rebounds!