Rip City Project reflects on the runner-up Summer League Blazers

Joe Chambers, contributor

I was very impressed with Caleb Swanigan helping the Blazers dominate in the Summer League. He became one of four rookies to average a double-double in SL.

He was the player to watch for the Blazers over Zach Collins, who everyone got excited to watch.

Swanigan impressed with his rebounding. Showing off in the Summer League will not go unnoticed by the coaching staff.

I was very pleased with the Trail Blazers performance. Making it to the championship against the Los Angeles Lakers shows potential in our young guys.

Jake Layman looked really good, along with Swanigan and Collins pre-injury. This is what Blazers fans wanted to see: Portland’s youth showing off; what an impressive performance it was.

What I liked most was the fact that they played as a team, not caring about their personal stats. They got the W which mattered the most.

Jacob Swanson, opinion

It would be easy to pencil Caleb Swanigan in as the most impressive player from the Trail Blazers’ summer league roster. He was a candidate for league MVP, and deserves some recognition.

The player most impressive on the roster, however, is one from whom little was expected. Nick Johnson exceeded expectations.

He shot the lights out, going 8-13 from downtown, which was wholly unexpected based upon the fact that he never shot higher than 39 percent for a season with Arizona.

It’s just 13 shots, and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but Johnson could be a good player in the G-League for the Blazers if he chose that route over a spot overseas. He’s a gritty defender and impressed in Las Vegas.

I don’t think this Summer League team had any world-beaters on it, with Collins unimpressive and outside of Swanigan, a pronounced lack of upside. Johnson showed a little something, in a league consumed by the long ball.

Minh Dao, analysis

The Blazers had a very impressive Summer League where we got a glimpse of our draft picks, and some free agents that are vying for an NBA gig.

Portland’s two first round picks both got to step on the court, but it was unfortunate Zach Collins’ time in Vegas was cut short (due to injury).

On the other hand, Caleb Swanigan impressed with a Summer League First-Team spot. Averaging 16-11 on 43.8%, he showed he belongs in the league.

The Blazers made the final, although they were not the most talented team on paper, they proved they had the chops as a lower seed.

Other contributors included Jake Layman, R.J. Hunter, Jarnell Stokes, Nick Johnson and Antonius Cleveland.

The one player that could have a sneaky chance at the 15th roster spot (which requires a Pat Connaughton waiving) is Jorge Gutiérrez. The final spot may prove to be too expensive (luxury tax bill) or they may leave it vacant for a lopsided trade.

However, Gutierrez offers a skillset where Portland could use the depth. He was the only player on the SL team who handled the ball, controlled the tempo as a floor general, and created for others.

Hunter (11.1 ppg on 36.6%) and Johnson (6.9 ppg on 43.5%) are shoot-first guards and the Blazers have enough guys who chew up the usage (Lillard, McCollum, Crabbe, Nurkic, etc).

Moving forward, let’s hope Collins and Swanigan continue to work on their game before they head into camp. These two are at the forefront in terms of importance.

And if there are fans out there still fretting over summer league play, I’ve got one thing to say: Josh Selby was the 2012 Co-MVP with Damian Lillard. Summer League doesn’t matter.

Ty Delbridge, contributor

I loved what I saw from the Trail Blazers in Summer League. They played some good basketball on both ends of the floor. The 16th seed in the tournament beat higher seeds playing much better than they were coming in.

Even without Zach Collins and Pat Connaughton the Blazers it made to the championship game, surprising many.

I thought Caleb Swanigan put the team on his back with his play, hustle and leadership. The guy just wants to win, no matter the situation and I love that.

Guys I haven’t seen play much like Jorge Gutierrez, Antonius Cleveland, and R.J Hunter played really well and helped their chances of landing a contract with another team.

I don’t usually watch every game of Summer League, but this year the Blazers had me hooked.

The guy I was most impressed with was Jarnell Stokes. He is in his third year and last played for the Denver Nuggets. Stokes is a 6’9″ PF, and became the starter next to Swanigan when Collins went down with his injury.

He put up 13 points, 7.6 rebounds,1.3 steals and shot 67% from the field this summer.

In the tournament he had a 16-point, 17-rebound game, and a 22-point, 15-rebound game. Jarnell was a beast in the paint, and along Swanigan, seems to grab every rebound.

He was the 2016-2016 D League MVP and sure showed why this summer. I hope he can land a contract, maybe even with the Blazers as a 15th man.

Isaiah De los Santos, site expert

The Summer Blazers came, they saw and almost conquered them all. Coach Jim Moran did a fantastic job with the young guns, earning praise along the way.

Caleb Swanigan showed up and showed out. I doubted him coming out of the draft, because of his height, but he makes up for it with an NBA-sized body and impressive basketball IQ.

Jarnell Stokes should find an NBA home somewhere. Jorge Gutiérrez would be a good bet for any team looking for a backup point guard.

My favorite player by far, though, was Antonius Cleveland. I didn’t know of the wing before I wrote about his signing, but from that point on I got deeply invested.

With the Pat Connaughton injury, his playing time got a bump, which only helped him show his array of skills. I hope he finds an NBA home, and if a roster spot opens, I’d hope he gets a look from Portland.

Speaking of roster spots, Connaughton and a wildly unimpressive Summer League. His injury didn’t help the situation, although it did help Portland win more games. I can’t imagine he’ll be on the team by July 25, when his contract may or may not be cut.

I really missed Zach Collins on the floor. Even though he didn’t have impressive double-double games like Swaniagn, he showed promise defensively.

Next: Draymond Green starts unnecessary beef with Lillard

I doubted him coming out of the draft, too, but Summer League is not the place to judge a player.

Just because Swanigan excelled and Collins struggled, it doesn’t mean this forecasts the rest of their NBA careers. Give them a season (more like two or three) before you sing their praises or write them off.