Could Leonard be better than Lillard in a few years?

[B-Roy]

Just got me thinking. I know Lillard is the showpiece at the moment, but after watching Stotts play Leonard for the 3rd quarter run and the entire 4th, I can't help but be impressed with Leonard's pure athletic ability. Lillard is like Roy but I wouldn't be surprised if Leonard becomes the "Aldridge" like piece in a few years and surpasses him. He's obviously got a ways to go, but he's young, hard working, and the coach seems to have a lot of confidence him.

 

[Tince]

My guess is that if Leonard is better than Lillard down the road it would most likely because Lillard had injury issues not because Leonard improved that much! Hope I'm wrong though!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

No, Leonard is white.

 

[THE HCP]

Nic will be better then both!

 

[3RA1N1AC]

if leonard develops some offense he might be a beast, hes def got the size

 

[TripTango]

Nic will be better then both!

Yes. Except for the games when he is much, much worse.

 

[Further]

I don't know, but there is a ton of room to grow and his natural abilities make me excited. But what is nice about our players is they seem to fit very well together. So if they can be kept together and all continue to improve, this team could be one of the best in the future.

 

[Natebishop3]

No, I don't think so. I don't think he'll even be an All-Star with the way the NBA changed the ballots. I think his ceiling is Tyson Chandler, which is not bad at all, but I think Lillard could be one of the best point guards in the league.

 

[julius]

It's possible. I want to wait until their rookie years are over with before i get too deep into prognosticating here.

I'm still not a super confident Blazer fan when it comes to youngins'

 

[MickZagger]

That low catch alley oop he made in the clippers game is something not many 7 footer can do. He's got soft touch at the line too which will translate to a smooth jumper

 

[Natebishop3]

That low catch alley oop he made in the clippers game is something not many 7 footer can do. He's got soft touch at the line too which will translate to a smooth jumper

I was expecting more from him on the defensive side though... hopefully that will develop over time.

 

[MickZagger]

He had a couple nice blocks. He leaves his feet on fakes too soon. You don't need to do that when you're 7'1"
"

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

He's not nearly getting enough P&R opportunities.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Could he? Sure, I guess. Will I bet the kids' college savings on it? No, I wouldn't.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Could he? Sure, I guess. Will I bet the kids' college savings on it? No, I wouldn't.

was waiting on this response, FENCE SITTER!

 

[Sinobas]

I don't think he will be. But I think he could be a DeAndre Jordan type, with better passing/shooting.

 

[MickZagger]

He could be a dwayne schintzius type minus the mullet and better at basketball.

 

[Natebishop3]

He could be a dwayne schintzius type minus the mullet and better at basketball.

You just wanted to get the street cred for mentioning Dwayne Schintzius.

 

[BrianFromWA]

to be fair, it's hard to be worse at basketball than Dwayne and still get paid for it. Nolan's close, though.

Schintzius's last year---PER of 0.7, ORtg of 65 in 16 games. Eesh.

HCP still has his rookie card, though.

 

[MickZagger]

Alright maybe a Greg Kite type, but better at basketball.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

i see him as an oldyn polynice type with a better crossover

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Tyson Chandler who can score. Marcin Gortat-like.

So a 14-16pts and 10-11 rebs prime if he gets his act together.

 

[Natebishop3]

Tyson Chandler who can score. Marcin Gortat-like.

So a 14-16pts and 10-11 rebs prime if he gets his act together.

Eh... I don't know..... those numbers are definitely All-Star worthy and I'm not sure if I see him putting those up. But if he does, yay for us.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Eh... I don't know..... those numbers are definitely All-Star worthy and I'm not sure if I see him putting those up. But if he does, yay for us.

Yeah, that's why I said "if he gets his act together". He already has the athleticism and mobility that most big men don't have. So it's a big if but a worthy if.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah, that's why I said "if he gets his act together". He already has the athleticism and mobility that most big men don't have. So it's a big if but a worthy if.

I think the biggest problem will simply be finding touches. With Lillard, Batum, and Aldridge, there won't be a lot of other shots to go around.

 

[HailBlazers]

Lillard's shot is too money. Leonard would have to reach Gasol status.

 

[julius]

am I the only one who is genuinely pissed when Lillard misses, not because it means the Blazers didn't get points, but because I expect him to make it every time?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

For me, every miss seems to kick me out of the game and make me realize "Oh yeah, he's just a rookie. He'll get better with experience." Because yeah, he seems so poised out there most of the time, you just expect he'll pull a make out of his hat.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I think that Batum takes more ill-advised shots than DL.

 

[Natebishop3]

am I the only one who is genuinely pissed when Lillard misses, not because it means the Blazers didn't get points, but because I expect him to make it every time?

I think Lillard is genuinely pissed when he misses, not because it means the Blazers didn't get points, but because he expects to make it every time.