Donovan Clingan Not Satisfied with Summer League Debut

Despite not shooting well, Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Donovan Clingan still put forth a decent showing in his NBA Summer League debut, although he might not view it that way.

The No. 7 overall pick shot 1-8 from the field for four points in Portland’s 83-77 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, but he also registered five blocks and 13 rebounds (four offensive) with his massive presence in the paint, showing why his defense was so highly regarded heading into the NBA Draft.

Still, when asked in his postgame media availability what he was happy with about his performance, Clingan had difficulty finding an answer.

I’m hard on myself, I’m gonna say nothing. I feel like maybe, I attacked the glass offensively. I had a couple offensive rebounds that were good, but I gotta rebound the ball better, I gotta finish stronger, I gotta shoot better, and I gotta be an elite rim protector.

Even with the five blocks and 13 rebounds, Clingan’s evaluation of his performance as a rim protector primarily focused on moments he wanted to improve on.

I feel like there was a couple shots around the rim I could’ve had a better contest on, if not blocked. There were some floaters, some paint shots that they made that I’m not happy with, but you just go back, you watch film, you learn from it. And I wish I rebounded the ball a little bit better in that first half, but I was able to figure it out in the second half and do better on that end.

Along with improved rebounding in the second half, Clingan said he also got more used to the fast pace of play as the game went on — a facet of the NBA game he mentioned he was adjusting to after his first Summer League practice.

I feel like it took a few runs to get used to it, but once the second half came along, I was feeling good. I was used to the pace.

However, even when Clingan addressed a positive aspect of his performance, he continued to return to a similar conclusion: He wished he played better.

I wish I still protected the rim a little better, I was able to shoot the ball a little better. I just wasn’t able to find my shot today. I feel like I got stuff more to prove.

Clingan will get his chance to prove himself more soon. The Blazers play their next Summer League game Monday night at 5:30 p.m. PDT against the Philadelphia 76ers. The game will be televised on NBA TV.