Welcome to Portland, Donovan Clingan!

[SlyPokerDog]

Not even close to a good comparison...

If we drafted 3/4th Jokic, I'd consider that a win.

Hell, if Clingan could average half of what Jokic does, I would consider that a win.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Edey made 1st team over Clingan. If Clingan had better conditioning this year maybe he would have passed Edey.

Let us not forget that Edey is almost 2 years older than Clingan.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Just announced- Clingan made All Rookie 2nd team.

You’re late, rookie

 

[crandc]

Mazel tov, Donovan. Try for the sun.

 

[kjironman1]

You’re late, rookie

Now you know you are blocked.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I mean I love what Deni has done in PDX - greatly exceeded expectations.

But losing Bub and whatever happens with that 2029 pick could be a huge loss. Wish there was a way we could've kept that 2029 pick. Celtics and Bucks both look like they could have major issues winning in 2029 and you never even know for certain if we could have a down year, plus how unpredictable the whole lottery can be. That could be a great lottery pick the Wizards get.

19 year old Bub would've been an exiting addition here as well. - although who knows if we would've taken him. But there was Jared McCain, Ware, Kneckt picked right after him which all have nice upside too.

 

[andalusian]

I mean I love what Deni has done in PDX - greatly exceeded expectations.

But losing Bub and whatever happens with that 2029 pick could be a huge loss. Wish there was a way we could've kept that 2029 pick. Celtics and Bucks both look like they could have major issues winning in 2029 and you never even know for certain if we could have a down year, plus how unpredictable the whole lottery can be. That could be a great lottery pick the Wizards get.

19 year old Bub would've been an exiting addition here as well. - although who knows if we would've taken him. But there was Jared McCain, Ware, Kneckt picked right after him which all have nice upside too.

Also, it could be a horrible lottery pick that the Wizards got and Bub would never be anywhere as good as Deni already s, while Deni goes on to become an All-star and finals MVP. I mean, if we play pretend...

Honestly, this kind of post means nothing - there was a guy the FO wanted / targeted - and they went out and got him for what they thought was worth the price. So far, it seems to be working pretty well - and that's all that you can do. They have a plan, it seems like a reasonable one, you now want to see what comes of that plan. There are only so many lottery picks you can have every year and at times, taking a flyer on a young prospect is the difference between being good while accumulating lottery picks or being great (See OKC, SGA).

Not saying that Deni will ever have the impact SGA has, but OKC without SGA is just a nice team, OKC with him are contenders...

 

[crandc]

If Donovan gets a bonus, I hope he gets a better haircut.

 

[kjironman1]

Sorry to side with MM here but I just don't think Clingan is going to be much more than a backup in this league unless he can get a consistent 3 point shot and some kind of moves around the basket.
He's a slow plodding white 7+ foot center that will get destroyed in the playoffs if the team gets there.
Personally I'd be looking at the best bigs available with the 11th pick.

 

[Hoopguru]

Sorry to side with MM here but I just don't think Clingan is going to be much more than a backup in this league unless he can get a consistent 3 point shot and some kind of moves around the basket.
He's a slow plodding white 7+ foot center that will get destroyed in the playoffs if the team gets there.
Personally I'd be looking at the best bigs available with the 11th pick.

If we surround him with shooters it would make a difference. Right now we are one of the worst shooting teams in the league. I think The Block Lobster will develop a decent mid range shot and be tough around the hoop. No doubt, D is his specialty and he's still super young. The think I like about him is his desire for the game and willingness to mix it up down low.

 

[kjironman1]

If we surround him with shooters it would make a difference. Right now we are one of the worst shooting teams in the league. I think The Block Lobster will develop a decent mid range shot and be tough around the hoop. No doubt, D is his specialty and he's still super young. The think I like about him is his desire for the game and willingness to mix it up down low.

He is what he is. Way too slow to defend multiple positions and he doesn't shoot particularly well. Watching the playoffs this year shows he won't be a player you can play consistent minutes against elite teams.
In my opinion he is a good backup center at best.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He is what he is. Way too slow to defend multiple positions and he doesn't shoot particularly well. Watching the playoffs this year shows he won't be a player you can play consistent minutes against elite teams.
In my opinion he is a good backup center at best.

I respect your opinion. However, I'm also quite sure it's wrong.

 

[kjironman1]

I respect your opinion. However, I'm also quite sure it's wrong.

What part? He doesn't shoot particularly well? He's too slow to defend multiple positions? He's probably a good back up center? Elite teams will play him off the court?

 

[Chris Craig]

He just needs to get in better shape.

 

[wizenheimer]

What part? He doesn't shoot particularly well? He's too slow to defend multiple positions? He's probably a good back up center? Elite teams will play him off the court?

Gobert hasn't been played off the court and he and Clingan have similar 'plodding' games. Gobert has averaged 32.6 minutes over 82 playoff games and he's attempted exactly 1 three in those 82 games (Gobert has never made a three in a game). Now , Gobert has averaged 65% on FGA's over his career while Clingan averaged 54% as a rookie. But, Gobert only averaged 49% on FGA's as a rookie, so that story hasn't had it's final chapter yet

they are about equal as rebounders, although Clingan is much better on the offensive glass. Clingan has flashed more potential as a passer than Gobert ever has. Granted, it hasn't been much but Clingan averaged 2.8 assists/100-possessions; as a rookie Gobert averaged 0.8

I agree that C is a Blazer weakness. But that's because Ayton is such an expensive Dud and Timelord's wheels are broken, not because of Clingan. Again, Gobert has averaged nearly 33 minutes in the playoffs and 31 minutes in the regular season over 12 years and 829 games. I don't see any reason that Clingan couldn't average 28-30 minutes. He averaged 27 over the last 22 games of the season

 

[Wizard Mentor]

What part? He doesn't shoot particularly well? He's too slow to defend multiple positions? He's probably a good back up center? Elite teams will play him off the court?

 

[kjironman1]

Gobert hasn't been played off the court and he and Clingan have similar 'plodding' games. Gobert has averaged 32.6 minutes over 82 playoff games and he's attempted exactly 1 three in those 82 games (Gobert has never made a three in a game). Now , Gobert has averaged 65% on FGA's over his career while Clingan averaged 54% as a rookie. But, Gobert only averaged 49% on FGA's as a rookie, so that story hasn't had it's final chapter yet

they are about equal as rebounders, although Clingan is much better on the offensive glass. Clingan has flashed more potential as a passer than Gobert ever has. Granted, it hasn't been much but Clingan averaged 2.8 assists/100-possessions; as a rookie Gobert averaged 0.8

I agree that C is a Blazer weakness. But that's because Ayton is such an expensive Dud and Timelord's wheels are broken, not because of Clingan. Again, Gobert has averaged nearly 33 minutes in the playoffs and 31 minutes in the regular season over 12 years and 829 games. I don't see any reason that Clingan couldn't average 28-30 minutes. He averaged 27 over the last 22 games of the season

In the Twolves first loss to the Thunder Gobert was reduced to 21 mins on 1-3 shooting for 2 pts.
In the second loss he was reduced to 30 mins on 2-5 shooting for 5 pts. He did get 1 block that game.
In the blowout game he played decent but still was not really the factor for them winning. he played. Came away with 28 mins and 7 points.

All in all Gobert doesn't really make a great case for what Clingan brings.

 

[wizenheimer]

In the Twolves first loss to the Thunder Gobert was reduced to 21 mins on 1-3 shooting for 2 pts.
In the second loss he was reduced to 30 mins on 2-5 shooting for 5 pts. He did get 1 block that game.
In the blowout game he played decent but still was not really the factor for them winning. he played. Came away with 28 mins and 7 points.

All in all Gobert doesn't really make a great case for what Clingan brings.

cherry picking? how about just looking at this year's playoff game log for Gobert...all games



and of course, as long as we're talking about whether or not Gobert has actually been "played off the floor" in the playoffs, or if that's just some shallow urban myth, there are these numbers:





again...his career playoff averages are 32.6 minutes; 12.4 points; 10.7 rebounds. That's kind of the opposite of being played off the floor. And if you're just talking about this year's playoffs, keep in mind that Gobert turns 33 in a month; Clingan just turned 21 at the end of February

 

[kjironman1]

cherry picking? how about just looking at this year's playoff game log for Gobert...all games

View attachment 73821

and of course, as long as we're talking about whether or not Gobert has actually been "played off the floor" in the playoffs, or if that's just some shallow urban myth, there are these numbers:

View attachment 73822

View attachment 73823

again...his career playoff averages are 32.6 minutes; 12.4 points; 10.7 rebounds. That's kind of the opposite of being played off the floor. And if you're just talking about this year's playoffs, keep in mind that Gobert turns 33 in a month; Clingan just turned 21 at the end of February

I still think Gobert hasn’t show much. He played well against the Lakers but other than that hasn’t been a dominant player.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I still think Gobert hasn’t show much. He played well against the Lakers but other than that hasn’t been a dominant player.

It's hard to talk about Gobert, because it's too easy to conflate his value as a basketball player, and his value/($ + resources). The former, he's quite good. The latter, he's atrocious.

 

[wizenheimer]

I still think Gobert hasn’t show much. He played well against the Lakers but other than that hasn’t been a dominant player.

wut? you're gauging by playoff "dominance"? That's not just moving goal posts, it's loading them in a cargo plane and dropping them off in Timbuktu...at night...after drinking everclear. Nobody ever said Gobert was a dominant playoff presence; just that he's been solid and impactful

try this: In Gobert's 82 game playoff career, his PER is 18.6 and winshare/48 is 1.71; those are better than any Blazer last season (other than Timelord). Gobert has averaged 12 & 11 in the playoffs. And he's altered a lot of opponent shots. While he's not Wilt or Hakeem or Duncan, that doesn't mean that Clingan can't be like Gobert

 

[kjironman1]

It's hard to talk about Gobert, because it's too easy to conflate his value as a basketball player, and his value/($ + resources). The former, he's quite good. The latter, he's atrocious.

I agree. I also agree with the statement you made earlier about the center position.
I certainly hope Clingan can get as good as Gobert. That would really be awesome.

 

[kjironman1]

wut? you're gauging by playoff "dominance"? That's not just moving goal posts, it's loading them in a cargo plane and dropping them off in Timbuktu...at night...after drinking everclear. Nobody ever said Gobert was a dominant playoff presence; just that he's been solid and impactful

try this: In Gobert's 82 game playoff career, his PER is 18.6 and winshare/48 is 1.71; those are better than any Blazer last season (other than Timelord). Gobert has averaged 12 & 11 in the playoffs. And he's altered a lot of opponent shots. While he's not Wilt or Hakeem or Duncan, that doesn't mean that Clingan can't be like Gobert

Pretty widely accepted that he doesn’t match well against teams in the playoffs.
If Clingan can give half of what he brings in the regular season I’m good with that.
The point of the original post was that the Blazers should look to help themselves at the center position.
Maybe you don’t agree with that?

 

[wizenheimer]

Pretty widely accepted that he doesn’t match well against teams in the playoffs.

"widely accepted" by who?

Clippers 2017 (injured & missed 2 games; avg 8-7)
Warriors 2017 (avg 16-13)
OKC 2018 (avg 14-11)
Houston 2018 (avg 12-10)
Houston 2019 (avg 11-10)
Denver 2020 (avg 17-11)
Memphis 2021 (avg 17-13)
Clippers 2021 (avg 13-12)
Dallas 2022 (avg 12-13)
Denver 2023 (avg 15-12)
Phoenix 2024 (avg 15-11)
Denver 2024 (avg 10-11)
Dallas 2024 (avg 12-8)
Lakers 2025 (avg 8-10)
Warriors 2025 (avg 10-9)
OKC 2025 (avg 5-6)

for 12 straight playoff series over an 8 year stretch he averaged a double-double. He averaged 17 points twice and 13 rebounds twice. Yes, he appears to be slowing down based upon the small sample size of the OKC series and the earlier series this season, but he's essentially 33. There are 12 years separating where Gobert is and where Clingan is

bluntly speaking, the notion that Gobert has ever been 'played of the floor' in the playoffs is myth. There might have been a game, here or there, where his matchup was bad and he was replaces for a quarter. But over the course of 15 playoff series in 9 years, no team has forced him to the bench.

I would agree it's probably fair to question the Clingan-->Gobert comp at this point. Gobert is a 4 time DPOY. That's elite talent

 

[e_blazer]

"widely accepted" by who?

Clippers 2017 (injured & missed 2 games; avg 8-7)
Warriors 2017 (avg 16-13)
OKC 2018 (avg 14-11)
Houston 2018 (avg 12-10)
Houston 2019 (avg 11-10)
Denver 2020 (avg 17-11)
Memphis 2021 (avg 17-13)
Clippers 2021 (avg 13-12)
Dallas 2022 (avg 12-13)
Denver 2023 (avg 15-12)
Phoenix 2024 (avg 15-11)
Denver 2024 (avg 10-11)
Dallas 2024 (avg 12-8)
Lakers 2025 (avg 8-10)
Warriors 2025 (avg 10-9)
OKC 2025 (avg 5-6)

for 12 straight playoff series over an 8 year stretch he averaged a double-double. He averaged 17 points twice and 13 rebounds twice. Yes, he appears to be slowing down based upon the small sample size of the OKC series and the earlier series this season, but he's essentially 33. There are 12 years separating where Gobert is and where Clingan is

bluntly speaking, the notion that Gobert has ever been 'played of the floor' in the playoffs is myth. There might have been a game, here or there, where his matchup was bad and he was replaces for a quarter. But over the course of 15 playoff series in 9 years, no team has forced him to the bench.

I would agree it's probably fair to question the Clingan-->Gobert comp at this point. Gobert is a 4 time DPOY. That's elite talent

At this point, I’d say that it’s less of a comparison than an aspiration. Donovan has the size, rebounding and shot blocking instincts that make it a reasonable thing for him to build his game in Gobert’s model.

 

[Hoopguru]

Im more concerned about Shaedons three and the teams overall shooting, then Clingans game right now. If Shae wants to be an all star in this league he better become a more consistent shooter. He's going into his 4th year and this team is still one of the worse shooting teams in the league.

 

[Kell]

Man some of you sure don’t know what letting the cake bake looks like… calling him a career backup when he only just finished his rookie season. I think he will continue to grow as a player as he matures into a grown man. What is he 20? Give the kid some time to learn the pro game and get another year or two of NBA weight training and professional recovery treatment.

Really don’t get the doom and gloom chicken little bs around here.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Sorry to side with MM here but I just don't think Clingan is going to be much more than a backup in this league unless he can get a consistent 3 point shot and some kind of moves around the basket.
He's a slow plodding white 7+ foot center that will get destroyed in the playoffs if the team gets there.
Personally I'd be looking at the best bigs available with the 11th pick.

Do you think Clingan will be a better player than Nurkic?

Give him 3-4 more years, and I think he'll do it easily.
Better rebounder, better shot blocker, better 3pt shooter, better at the pick n roll, higher BBIQ.

Nurk is slow, white, and plodding.

Clingan looks, IMO, better than Nurk. Still rough, still young, but better.

 

[Blazinaway]

Im more concerned about Shaedons three and the teams overall shooting, then Clingans game right now. If Shae wants to be an all star in this league he better become a more consistent shooter. He's going into his 4th year and this team is still one of the worse shooting teams in the league.

Not taking as many stupid 3's as he does would be a good start, being selective would be nice to see, no reason he can't learn that if he wants to

 

[Hoopguru]

Not taking as many stupid 3's as he does would be a good start, being selective would be nice to see, no reason he can't learn that if he wants to

We will soon find out....