Donovan Clingan is making waves in the NBA as a formidable rim protector, even in an era dominated by Victor Wembanyama, who is setting new standards for defensive prowess. As March wraps up, Clingan's name is increasingly mentioned among the league's elite defenders.
Could he be one of the top five rim protectors? Maybe even top three?
The idea is gaining traction.
Clingan's stats speak volumes. He averaged 2.5 blocks per game in March, following a solid 2.3 blocks per game in February.
His season average stands at 1.7 blocks per game. Importantly, the Blazers boast the fourth-best defensive rating in the league post-All-Star break, underscoring Clingan's significant impact on a legitimate defense, not just a team chasing blocks in garbage time.
From the outset, Clingan showed promise as a defensive anchor. Blazers fans quickly saw the scouting reports come to life.
Although it took some time for him to secure regular starter minutes-a common journey for rookie centers-his influence was evident from the get-go. His rapid development into a top-tier defender comes as no surprise to those following his career closely.
When discussing the league's best rim protectors, names like Chet Holmgren, Rudy Gobert, and Evan Mobley naturally come up. They all have strong cases, with resumes to match.
But after these big names, who else can claim a more significant impact around the rim than Clingan? Myles Turner has seen a dip in his dominance, Isaiah Stewart sets the tone in Detroit but doesn't match Clingan's overall defensive prowess, and Ryan Kalkbrenner, while promising, is still developing.
Leaving Clingan out of the "top five rim protector" conversation seems more of a stretch than including him. His block rate might have dipped slightly, but his reduced foul rate shows a shift towards smarter, more consistent defense. Clingan is not just holding his own; he's becoming a cornerstone of the Blazers' defense.