This is exactly what I was talking about....how could ANYBODY be excited for ANY of these players. Just don't get people on here. Be pumped for next year!
I'm not a fan of the Clingan pick as even if he realizes his potential lumbering bigs don't have much value in today's NBA. Will have even less value in the next 10 years. But there wasn't any prospect I was that fond of on the board so I'm not real upset over missing on any of them. Would've much preferred to get the picks San Antonio got with their trade of #8, then not do the Avdija trade and take a rookie at #14.
As has already been said. he was probably the best player available. I still think Ron Holland was the player they wanted but obviously was not available so they took what they got Clingan. This was all about a failed tank again. Purposely losing gets you what you get.
The one thing missing in all of that is the scoreboard at the end. Clingan was on the TEAM that won. He played in the SYSTEM that won the national championship.
Here is a point of view you may be interested in. Everyone i talk to in my personal circle. We are talking people who are simply fans and watch the team when they can. They are interested in what happens enough to know what pick the Blazers had and who they picked but they don't spend hours every days on a Blazer site. All of them are happy with this pick. He is a good kid from a solid family that has won a bunch in college and is a position of need for this team. The only people I hear anything negative about this pick from are people who spend countless hours talking about a sub par draft that pretty much everyone knew was going to produce a role player at pick #7. Clingan is exactly who he is. A decent back up caliber center that may eventually grow into a serviceable big that gives a team 20-30 mins a night depending on the situation and injury status of the team. Blazers have been incredibly small for years. They at least just got a bit bigger.
I remember that the Blazers once took a player because he had a good game vs Kareem while in college. Of course, LaRue wasn't the college player of the year two years in a row. I do wonder if Eday would've done that in his sophomore year vs a sophomore Clingan or how he would have done if Clingan has 2 more seasons of growth behind him. It'll be interesting to see the two battle going forward.
Clingan at best is a limited role player, and an archetype that doesn't have value in today's NBA. A useful role player does have a bit of value though, but it just feels pretty underwhelming to get that in the lottery as well as a result of all the losing last year. Its just such a crappy draft with no great alternative options that even though I would've made a different pick - I'm not too upset with it.
I'd expect Edey will have much better stats the first part of next season - he's a much older experienced player and he is the clear primary option at center for the Grizzlies. Clingan will be behind Ayton who plays big minutes. Clingan may not even be in the rotation at all to start the season, especially if Timelord is healthy. 4 years from now who looks better? Yeah these two will be linked so it'll be interesting. If I had to bet I'd wager both will be useful backups but very situational as they will both be played off the floor for most of the minutes in the playoffs. Now I am a much bigger fan of Clingan over Edey as he at least can fit into standard NBA drop coverage defense. Edey is such a unique player he will need his team to structure their offense and defense exclusively for him. Along these lines he probably has higher bust potential, he could end up like Boban where even with great per36 stats it just doesn't make sense to redesign so many of a teams schemes for a limited backup.
im thinking more Steven Adams type of player. In weak draft I’m ok with a player who will be enforcer down low. Ayton has the offense but never been known as a great defender. Will we regret this pick possibly if someone slid down that ends up being great but just as likely teams that’s drafted higher than us might end up regretting not picking him. Picking him at 7 seems like a good spot had we traded up and used future first to get him would have me question this pick more.
Yes, Clingan was on the TEAM that won. A team that could have 4 players drafted from that roster and had 2 of the top 7. Versus a team that had one player and a whole bunch of scrubs that will never sniff a draft. I'm not high on either player, but one totally dominated the other regardless of what team won.
Valid Point. Believe me I was not against getting Edey. I just didn't think Clingan was going to be there at 7. I was hoping for Holland at 7 but that was not to be. Not sure I pick Edey before Clingan? For most they agree with this pick. Does Clingan's game translate to the NBA better than Edey? I'm not sure on that either? All that being said. I hope Clingan can contribute and the Blazers made the correct choice?
Since 2008, the only underclassmen to post >22% DRB%, >10% BLK%, and >14 BPM are Anthony Davis, Chet, and Clingan.
I view this pick as a good long term play. Obviously without massive internal improvement this team is not on the verge of becoming a contender in the near future and certainly no one in the 2024 draft class was going to change that. Clingan will have a few seasons to develop both his body and game in backup minutes before the Blazers might be good again and by that time they'll be at the cross roads with Ayton contractually. If Donavan has developed into a serviceable Big by then (likely IMO), Ayton wont have the team over the barrel as their only decent 5. Management will have options on how to best move forward and move the other one to address roster needs. I love having a Big who excels at the traditional big man stuff. Guarding the rim, rebounding & relentlessly setting picks will always play especially alongside a penetrating PG like Scoot. Clingan has decent hands too which should make them a good P&R combo. Following pick #6, Clingan was the name I was hoping to hear. STOMP
