Rookie Impresses Blazers In Debut

Jermaine O’Neal brought down the house in the Portland Trail Blazers’ first summer-league game.

He was whistled for an offensive foul and was slow getting back down the court, so Frank Butter of the French national team figured he had an easy dunk at the other end.

But somehow, O’Neal recovered and pinned the shot against the backboard. Jaws dropped, including those of the summer league officiating crew. There was no whistle, and the Blazers’ bench roared.

O’Neal was modest about his debut Friday night, in which he had 13 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots during 25 minutes of play. O’Neal, 17, was Portland’s first choice in last month’s NBA draft

“I could have done some things better, but it was OK,” O’Neal said.