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Eurobasket 2013: Victor Claver Has Been Ineffective for Spain, Just Like with the Portland Trail Blazers


Victor Claver Blazers Eurobasket

Craig Mitchelldyer – USA Today Sports Images

Victor Claver finally played his first season in the NBA last year after being selected near the end of the first round in the 2009 NBA Draft. The 6’9” small forward had the opportunity to be one a bright spot on an otherwise dismal bench unit for the Portland Trail Blazers, but the 25-year-old really failed to deliver for Rip City.

Claver appeared in just 49 games for the Blazers last year and was a part of one of the worst benches in the league. He averaged just 3.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 16.6 minutes per game while shooting only 39.2 percent from the floor and just 28.7 percent from the field.

Say what you want about Claver, but at least he is consistent with his ineffectiveness, as he has shown through two games with Spain at Eurobasket 2013.

In a blowout victory against Croatia on Wednesday, Claver didn’t do much at all to help the effort aside from grabbing a few rebounds. He finished the day with zero points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 21 minutes of play. Moreover he shot 0-3 from the field and failed to get the foul line even once.

He was a tad more effective on Thursday as Spain was upset by the hometown Slovenia team, but that’s obviously not saying much. In 28 minutes on the floor, Claver amassed only three points, six rebounds and one block on just 1-5 shooting from the field and 1-2 free-throw shooting.

Claver has solid physical tools and looks the part of an NBA player, but it’s becoming pretty clear that he might not be able to carve out a role in the league. There’s only so many chances a team can give a player that doesn’t produce much and with this Blazers team drastically improving their bench, Claver might be one of the odd men out.

Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google and like his Facebook page.



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