{"id":167939,"date":"2025-11-26T08:00:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T13:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=167939"},"modified":"2025-11-25T23:53:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T04:53:11","slug":"donovan-clingan-is-proving-he-is-the-blazers-franchise-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/11\/26\/donovan-clingan-is-proving-he-is-the-blazers-franchise-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Donovan Clingan is Proving He is the Blazers’ Franchise Center"},"content":{"rendered":"

Center is one of the toughest positions to play in the NBA because of all the responsibilities. Donovan Clingan<\/a> has become the Portland Trail Blazers’ franchise center with ease, shining in Tiago Splitter’s system. With Clingan’s potential, it is hard not to see him being one of the league’s top defenders.<\/p>\n

Donovan Clingan is Proving He is the Blazers’ Franchise Center<\/h3>\n

The Portland Trail Blazers have a long history of failed centers. They might have had Bill Walton<\/a> as a franchise cornerstone in the 1970s, but he quickly faded away. Walton was a superstar who led Portland to its first and only NBA title in 1977.<\/p>\n

Since then, the Blazers have had rotten luck with their centers. They selected Sam Bowie<\/a> one pick before Michael Jordan<\/a>, and they chose Greg Oden<\/a> one pick before Kevin Durant<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, it looks like the tables have turned because they have found the Blazers’ franchise center. Donovan Clingan, who the Blazers drafted seventh overall last year, has cemented himself as a future star<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Picking the Blazers’ Franchise Center is Easy<\/h3>\n

The Blazers gambled by selecting Yang Hansen<\/a> in the 2025 NBA Draft. He is not the finished product yet, but he does have the potential<\/a> to be a top offensive center. However, that might have messed up the long-term rotation.<\/p>\n

Clingan looks ready to be the Blazers’ starting center for the next decade. He fits what they want to do, as he is a monster in the paint. Clingan is not the offensive talent that Yang is, but he is infinitely better at the other aspects.<\/p>\n

\n

Donovan Clingan over the last 6 games:<\/p>\n

14.3 PPG
12.3 RPG
3.0 APG
2.0 BPG
53.3% FG
38.1% 3P
26.5 MPG pic.twitter.com\/uxIP8O8ET0<\/a><\/p>\n

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 25, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n