Path Blazers’ Duop Reath not forgotten in middle competitors

Deandre Ayton is the Portland Path Blazers departure middle. Robert Williams III and rookie Donovan Clingan will face off for minutes behind Ayton.

After which there may be Duop Reath. The second-year middle, who at age 27 earned his first NBA contract and made 20 begins in 68 appearances out of necessity. He finds himself relegated to a little bit of a again seat with the addition of Clingan and the return of Williams, who solely performed six video games final season resulting from a knee damage.

Nonetheless, he has one trait that the opposite three cannot contact on: taking pictures three-pointers.

That ability, alone, may earn Reath a couple of minutes right here and there within the last yr of a two-year deal.

“It’s the group benefit,” Reath stated. “Everybody is sweet at what they’re good at. (Clingan) is big. Wonderful rim protector. You’ve gotten me, who can stretch the ground slightly. Everyone seems to be simply completely different. So the coach can use no matter he wants that day.

Reath averaged 9.1 factors and three.7 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per recreation. He shot 46.1% from the sector and 35.9% from three-point vary. Defensively, Reath struggled, which was to be anticipated for a rookie who, at 6-foot-9, is at a dimension drawback on the inside at occasions.

Though his pick-and-pop expertise assist considerably alleviate his defensive shortcomings, Reath stated he spent the summer time, which included taking part in within the Paris Olympics for Australia, engaged on the adverse facets of his recreation.

“I’m simply sustaining what I used to be doing right here earlier than,” he stated. “I am ensuring I proceed to shoot the ball effectively and enhance defensively. Bounce again, attempt to enhance in that space as effectively.

Billups made a degree at media day to not pass over Reath when requested in regards to the prime three facilities.

“He clearly had a extremely good yr for us final yr and had an excellent summer time,” Billups stated.

Adequate to interrupt the rotation?

Billups will wrestle to seek out sufficient minutes for his prime three facilities with 48 minutes obtainable. He talked about taking part in two collectively right here and there. Reath could be one of the best candidate for energy ahead, given his taking pictures. However he wants to indicate Billups that his protection deserves to be on the sector.

“I really feel like I’m getting higher,” Reath stated. “Studying. Clearly final yr was my freshman yr. I simply must get used to the spacing and issues like that.