Picture Credit: Twitter
The Portland Trail Blazers became the 2022 NBA Summer League champions beating the New York Knicks 85-77 in the title game with a combination of persistent and effective defence with a high-energy offence full of alley-oops and dunks.
After a slow first quarter, Portland Trail Blazers took control in the second quarter, with Colbey Ross, Craig Randall and Jabari Walker making key three-pointers and erasing the Knicks lead in moments. Soon the Rip City asserted their dominance in the last 24 minutes but New York guard Quentin Grimes was the lone ranger fending off the Portland attack. But the Rip City held their own and won the 2022 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Steve Hetzel, who served as head coach for Portland’s summer league team, was extremely proud of his team. He said: “Our staff did a great job preparing them, getting them ready. They were committed from Day One. They wanted to win this thing, so they came here with a mission and executed it. I’m proud of them.”
Colorado Rookie Jabari Walker had an incredible Summer League as he averaged 12.4 points while shooting 63 per cent from the field, 43 per cent shooting from three with 9.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals in 22.0 minutes He talked about his journey in the tournament and the victory.
He said: “This just shows how much work we put in over the summer, shows we have a good, young core right now,” said Walker. "I don’t believe I should have went 57th, I keep preaching that. I just feel like I’m slept on and I just want to go out there the prove that. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder.”