In the pregame press conference before the Portland Trail Blazers’ Friday preseason finale against the Utah Jazz at the Moda Center, head coach Chauncey Billups praised rookie center Donovan Clingan’s rebounding and rim protection. Then Billups compared the 7-foot-2, 280 pound center to Bambi, the baby deer from the Disney cartoon.
It wasn’t a slight at Clingan, who goes by the nickname of Cling Kong. It was a surprisingly accurate visual describing how the 20-year-old is still filling out his massive, lanky frame.
“He’s like a deer, he’s like a Bambi. His limbs are just going everywhere,” Billups said about some of Clingan’s offensive touches.