Donovan Clingan Continues to Blossom For Portland Trail Blazers

Over the final two weeks, the Portland Trail Blazers have had a variety of outcomes of their 4 video games. All 4 contests have been determined by double digits with 24-point and 54-point losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets, together with 16-point and 15-point wins over the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns.

For this prolonged stretch with few Blazers video games being performed due to the All-Star break, Blazer of the Week honors go to massive man Donovan Clingan.

Clingan averaged 17.3 factors, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and a pair of.3 blocks per sport over the past 4 video games. He has been completely unimaginable across the basket as a rebounder and rim protector, however he has additionally proven a newfound consistency scoring across the rim in current months. His growth right into a high-level beginning heart has given the Blazers a brand new risk on offense as well as to his means to anchor the protection.

In addition to his means to shut out possessions on the glass, Clingan has additionally proven a tremendous means to prolong offensive possessions with offensive rebounds. He averaged 4.5 offensive rebounds this week as well as to his work on the defensive glass. These further possessions are extraordinarily worthwhile for a Portland group that finds itself twenty eighth within the NBA in each area aim and three-point proportion.

As a second-year participant Clingan has already proven huge strides in his sport that undertaking nicely for his future within the NBA. His enhancements from the three-point line undertaking him as a man ready to make that shot persistently at round league common. This week he made 8 of his 17 makes an attempt from deep, good for 47.1% from distance. His hesitation when discovering himself open has dropped considerably. One of its largest benefits from there to this point is the novelty of the risk. Opponent respect for that shot has not caught up to his talents fairly but. Once that hole closes and he’s guarded from distance, it’ll stay to be seen if he could make the shot whereas answered. However, for now his means to make open threes is a large boon for Portland’s offensive rhythm, making him a risk as each a curler and a popper after setting screens.

This week’s honorable point out is Scoot Henderson.

Henderson averaged 13.8 factors, 3.8 assists and a pair of.5 rebounds per sport over the four-game stretch. It was not essentially the most spectacular week of his profession statistically, however it was promising after such a protracted absence with an damage. He performed 21.8 minutes per sport off the bench and had his minutes restriction lifted popping out of the All-Star break. Scoot’s explosiveness and playmaking talents are clearly nonetheless there, he simply wants to refine them a bit to maximize his skills. The effectivity left some to be desired as he shot 41% from the sector, however 40.9% from deep. All-in-all, it was an excellent first couple video games from Henderson. He has one other degree he may attain, however the early returns are every little thing followers may have hoped for.

Which Blazer impressed you essentially the most this week? Let us know within the feedback beneath!