1-4 Record, But Diallo Dominates
Hamidou Diallo "the Younger" rose above the rest in Summer League
Fresh off a season which saw him garner Most Improved Player attention, Hamidou Diallo "the Younger" absolutely wowed everyone who tuned in to watch Portland's Summer League games. A jaw-dropping 36.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks on 52.4% shooting, 44% behind the arc. Defensively, he stopped 93.1% of drives, forced 2.4 turnovers, and had a 0.95 PA/SF while only coughing up 1.4 turnovers a game himself.
"That's the type of outing you love to see," grinned Blazers head coach Dwayne Wade. "Obviously he won't be putting up those kind of crazy numbers in the regular season, but it's still damned impressive and it was a real treat for all of us to watch."
Unfortunately for the Portland fanbase, the team itself went 1-4 in Summer League, with the starting lineup featuring two second round picks, this year's #3 overall selection, and a free agent former 2nd rounder who is just fighting to pick up a second contract after not having played a minute of CSL basketball since he was drafted by the Cavaliers in 2026.
A look at the Blazers' other players
Jaylen Hoard
11.6 points, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks on 44.6% shooting, 25% from behind the arc. With Diallo the Younger playing Hero Ball and no one else able to get the #3 pick the ball in good spots, his shooting numbers were lower than originally projected. He also played third fiddle to the Star and the Free Agent.
Defensively the numbers looked lackluster, too - 87% drive stop rate, 1.17 PA/SF - albeit with an impressive 2.4 TOFC to tie his perimeter-mate for the team lead. For a player who was supposed to be a Day 1 excellent defender, the statline initially looks alarming... until you consider the broader context.
"Ham and Jaylen were the only two decent defenders on the whole Summer League roster and the kid's only 20 years old," said an observer. "So you've got those two trying to guard everyone by themselves, because no one else is worth a bucket of warm spit. That means he's going to be the one getting caught guarding an elite offensive player and he'll take those lickings. Things will get better, especially as he builds up his body to adjust to the CSL schedule over the next few years.
Adam Woodbury
5.2 points and 8.4 rebounds on 54.2% shooting. Woodbury came in with a boarding reputation and he duly delivered on that. As expected, he was an absolute trainwreck everywhere else and it's expected Portland will continue to eye up alternatives in free agency for a backup big man.
Finn Delany
The sophomore who played 13.3 minutes in 59 games his rookie year as a 2nd rounder had a surprisingly solid Summer League - 9.4 points and 2.2 assists to 0.6 turnovers while shooting 6 of his 7 FGAs from 3 point land and connecting on 40% of them for a 64.7% True Shooting mark. Defensively he stopped 90% of drives, had a 1.03 PA/SF ratio that was better than what one might expect.
"He's in the real conversation for getting major minutes this season," remarked one team insider. "Whether that's as a hybrid forward off the bench or whether he gets a crack at the starting lineup, we're not entirely sure yet. But we love his upside and fit in our setup."
Jack Salt
Somehow averaged 10 points in 12 minutes. Everyone was amazed at his 60.6% shooting and 0.8 blocks and 0.6 steals. 31.6% Usage Rate, +19.9 NET. 0.93 PA/SF. Will at least force a conversation over who should be the backup between him and Woodbury if there's no free agency action forthcoming.
Elmo shrugs all around at Salt's weirdly wonderful Summer League.
Blazers Summer League Review
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- emplep7
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Re: Blazers Summer League Review
No idea why Diallo and some other players were still eligible for the SL, but it takes away from the younger guys showcasing themselves. Would have liked to see what Hoard could do with more of the offense running through him instead of Diallo.
- Ocons
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Re: Blazers Summer League Review
I was afraid this would turn into the new version of the Hobgoblin trash and here we are.
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Re: Blazers Summer League Review
I wonder if you're cashing in a bit too early on the core. Diallo, Hoard, and Birutis is a nice core, but not a championship core.
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Re: Blazers Summer League Review
Some dirty numbers. I'm really happy for Diallo.. he seems to have found a home in Portland after the early shooting concerns. Turning out to solid 2-way player.
Golden State Warriors
Kris Dunn | PJ Dozier | Ding Yanyuhang | Kevon Looney | Chimezie Metu
Devonte Graham | Nimrod Levi | Tariq Owens | Johnny Hamilton
'23: 34-48 (5-8 as GM)
'24: 40-42, 1st Round Exit
'25: 50-32, Championship Round Loss (4-3)
'26: 48-34, 1st Round Exit
'27: 44-38, Missed Playoffs
'28: 39-43, 1st Round Exit
'29: 57-25, Championship Round Loss (4-2)
'30: 48-34, Conference Finals Loss (4-1)
Kris Dunn | PJ Dozier | Ding Yanyuhang | Kevon Looney | Chimezie Metu
Devonte Graham | Nimrod Levi | Tariq Owens | Johnny Hamilton
'23: 34-48 (5-8 as GM)
'24: 40-42, 1st Round Exit
'25: 50-32, Championship Round Loss (4-3)
'26: 48-34, 1st Round Exit
'27: 44-38, Missed Playoffs
'28: 39-43, 1st Round Exit
'29: 57-25, Championship Round Loss (4-2)
'30: 48-34, Conference Finals Loss (4-1)
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Re: Blazers Summer League Review
This. Diallo was drafted ages ago how come he is playing?
Congrats to season 16 ASL champion SoulKey. For the Swarm!
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Re: Blazers Summer League Review
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