Yang Hansen Shows Upside in Trail Blazers’ Win Over Warriors

The Portland Trail Blazers opened their Las Vegas Summer League schedule with a 106-73 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Portland stepped on the accelerator early with turnover-triggering defense and solid finishing in the open floor. With a double-digit lead in hand, the Blazers survived scoring droughts to cruise to a 33-point victory. Rookie center Yang Hansen showcased both his talents and improvement areas in his 23 minutes of action. The No. 16 pick posted 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 5 assists in his debut in red and black.

Here’s an analysis of the Blazers’ key contributors in tonight’s victory.

The Big Fella Has Vision

Yang was deployed as a facilitator for long stretches of Friday night’s contest. Operating from above the arc, he directed traffic, found cutting teammates, and put the ball on the floor when the opportunities presented themselves. It was clear that Yang was comfortable from that position. He played with his head up and looked to pick apart the Warriors’ defense.

Outside of Yang’s passing, there are a few areas that are sure to land on his training schedule in the weeks ahead. He showed his soft shooting touch from the free throw line, but his three-point attempts left a lot to be desired. His lone three-point connection was the result of a bank shot, and I don’t think he called glass. When called upon to screen and roll, he struggled to create space and manipulate the spacing on the floor.

Yang’s defense oscillated between serviceable and liability for the majority of the contest. He struggled with leaving his feet in one-on-one situations. Opponents frequently got him in the air and were quickly rewarded with free throw attempts. On the opposite end of the spectrum, he looked like a true rim protector when rotating to help cut off drives. He had two blocks that resulted from solid footwork and quick rotations.

Overall, I would call Yang’s debut a success. He showcased his passing ability, protected the ball, and recorded a handful of blocks. The big fella played with a smile as large as his wingspan and he wasn’t afraid to mix it up with opponents.

Cissoko & Rupert Set the Tone

Sidy Cissoko and Rayan Rupert played with intensity and purpose throughout the game. Both players rocketed into action and were instrumental in building Portland’s early lead. Yang directed the offense, but Rupert communicated with his teammates on defense. It’s clear that Rupert has spent a significant amount of time with coach Chauncey Billups, absorbing his defense-first mentality. Cissoko displayed athleticism and explosiveness during his downhill drives to the rim. In the paint, Rupert corralled rebounds and fought through taller opponents.

Offensively, Rupert connected on two of his three attempts from beyond the arc. If he can dial in his efficiency on that end, he could find himself in an interesting battle for minutes in training camp. Cissoko’s offense offers a mixed bag. His athleticism jumps off the screen, but he frequently gets out of control and into trouble. Outside of the restricted area, Cissoko was a non-factor tonight.

Best of the Rest

Caleb Love looked like Caleb Love in his debut with the Blazers. After five years of high-level college production, Love showed that he can score in bunches if he gets hot. Love’s ability to create separation for his shot shined, especially when he shared the floor with James Bouknight. Both players had nice moments, but almost all of Bouknight’s attempts came heavily contested. Love, on the other hand, consistently beat defenders with dribble moves and step-backs. While Love’s night was encouraging, it also featured struggles with efficiency. He’s willing to take shots from areas that make analytics junkies scratch their heads.

Outside of the marquee players on the roster, I thought D.J. Carton and Sean Pedulla put together solid stretches. Carton had instant chemistry with Yang, which resulted in two easy layups off of cuts to the rim. Pedulla’s first half was forgettable. However, the former Ole Miss guard bounced back in the third quarter. He was disruptive on defense and connected on a corner three.

Based on tonight’s performances, I wouldn’t be shocked if Rupert’s minutes decrease over the remaining games. Both Carton and Pedulla could see their workloads increase if that is the case.

Moving Forward

The Yang and Blazers return to action on Saturday to face the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30 pm.