“Wanted to prove that I am a leader” MVP Trendon Watford reacts to Portland Trail Blazers winning 2022 Summer League
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Trendon Watford with the MVP award
The New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers squared battle in the championship game in front of a packed Thomas & Mack Center on the last day of Summer League in Las Vegas. Both teams had a 3-1 record going into the championship game, but the Trail Blazers defeated the Knicks 85-77 to win. Trendon Watford of the Blazers, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists, was chosen MVP of the final game. The Blazers had previously won the Summer League championship in 2018, making this their second time doing so.
The MVP award from Sunday’s NBA Summer League championship game victory against the New York Knicks belonged to Portland Trail Blazers forward Trendon Watford. Watford finished with a winning total of 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block. He made 7 of 15 field goal attempts and 3 of 6 long-range attempts. After going undrafted in 2021, the 21-year-old initially signed a two-way deal with the Blazers. On November 14, he made his NBA debut.
Trendon Watford’s journey to becoming the Summer League MVP.
Former LSU player Trendon Watford is starting to establish himself as a professional after being undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft. When Watford signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers last summer, the deal was changed to a normal contract in February, giving Watford a shot. He may get more opportunities this year after guiding the Trail Blazers to the NBA Summer League championship in Las Vegas after appearing in 48 games with 10 starts as a rookie. Watford was chosen as the championship game’s unquestionable MVP after helping to stop the Knicks’ comeback that reduced a 15-point fourth-quarter lead to seven points.
He averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists at LSU last season while shooting 48 percent from the field. Watford really developed as a playmaker over the course of the season, and he was able to make comparable plays more frequently during the combine. Coach Will Wade thinks there is a lot of hidden potential at the next level because of the versatility he presents as a switchable three, four, or maybe five man at the next level. Trendon Watford will now wait suiting up for the regular season in the hopes of impressing the Trail blazers coaching staff.
The NBA presented the Summer League champions with championship rings in addition to trophies for the first time in the history of the league. You could see the players’ enthusiasm as they all hurried to collect their awards when the Trail Blazers were given their rings. It’s a lovely gesture on the part of the league to give Summer League champions rings, and it’s probably going to become a tradition moving ahead since it serves as a reminder of these young players’ achievements.
The Blazers were able to easily finish the game behind Watford and Brandon Williams, securing their second summer league championship and the rings that now go along with it. Head coach Chauncey Billups will have to focus on molding young players like Shaedon Sharpe, Williams, Watford, and Walker if Portland wants to drastically boost its potential. Trendon Watford did his share in Las Vegas to demonstrate why he should keep playing a supporting role in the frontcourt.
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Irvin Philip
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