Injuries may be a blessing in disguise

[rasheedfan2005]

I agree we should see more of Claver. However, it looks like I am the only guy that think Meyers is the guy that will be the ball player given the time and coaching.

no way, im a belieber

 

[MarAzul]

That just explains how much BGD provides to this forum

Lighten up on the guy Mags. But I agree, I would trade many for PapaG including all of Nate.

 

[Natebishop3]

Lighten up on the guy Mags. But I agree, I would trade many for PapaG including all of Nate.

hahaha

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Freeland has more than proved himself. He is a core piece IMO.

I didn't expect him to put up an elite DRtg (100.2) and grab as many rebounds as he has - 12 RPG as a starter.

He should be the primary PF/C backup and playing at least 25 MPG.

He's at the age where bigs are just entering their prime and really is a great example that bigs take longer to develop. After his first year I didn't think he had much of an NBA future. Now he's easily our best defensive player.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'd trade him for mixum or papaG

Yeah no.

 

[PDXFonz]

Freeland has more than proved himself. He is a core piece IMO.

I didn't expect him to put up an elite DRtg (100.2) and grab as many rebounds as he has - 12 RPG as a starter.

He should be the primary PF/C backup and playing at least 25 MPG.

He's at the age where bigs are just entering their prime and really is a great example that bigs take longer to develop. After his first year I didn't think he had much of an NBA future. Now he's easily our best defensive player.

Great post. I want to add that I don't think he had much chance to develop overseas at all. He never had coaches to work with in the offseason and was basically on his own to improve. unfortunately I don't think his ceiling is much higher

 

[riverman]

Great post. I want to add that I don't think he had much chance to develop overseas at all. He never had coaches to work with in the offseason and was basically on his own to improve. unfortunately I don't think his ceiling is much higher

Actually he works with his euro big man coach every offseason so he did and does get input from his time overseas. I watched him shut down Nene in the world competitions one game. He's always had the skills, just not the instincts for the NBA tempo until last season.

 

[jlprk]

It was well-publicized here how the Blazers sent over an assistant coach a couple of times per year, to watch him play in games and update his workout/skill regimen for his Euro coach to follow to prepare Freeland for the NBA.

 

[BBert]

Injuries got Meyers some minutes last night. That worked out pretty well. If any player on this team needs minutes to develop, it's Meyers.

 

[blue9]

Freeland has more than proved himself. He is a core piece IMO.

I didn't expect him to put up an elite DRtg (100.2) and grab as many rebounds as he has - 12 RPG as a starter.

He should be the primary PF/C backup and playing at least 25 MPG.

He's at the age where bigs are just entering their prime and really is a great example that bigs take longer to develop. After his first year I didn't think he had much of an NBA future. Now he's easily our best defensive player.

Bingo. Freeland is the biggest surprise, IMO. After all the Euros we've drafted over the past decade I never expected him to stick. But the work he put in between his 1st and 2nd seasons made all the difference in the world. And this year his offense seems to be rounding into shape. I think he's our Nick Collison!

 

[PDXFonz]

Actually he works with his euro big man coach every offseason so he did and does get input from his time overseas. I watched him shut down Nene in the world competitions one game. He's always had the skills, just not the instincts for the NBA tempo until last season.

That's not in line with the quote from Freeland that I read. Unfortunately the article is not available anymore. My best guess is that the Blazers were sending a coach over just prior to his coming to Portland (1-2 years). Either that or the article I read was bogus... Regardless, I am having trouble finding any articles that state the Blazers had been sending coaches overseas to monitor freelands development. I would appreciate if one of you remembers a source and could share it!

I'd also like to point out that sending an NBA coach over to help form a regiment for Freeland is in no means as beneficial as being able to work 1-on-1 with an NBA coach every day.

 

[Blazersfan161]

Impressed by Leonard performance

 

[BBert]

Meyers is still a kid. A simple, somewhat immature, kid. Who seems like he wants to do well.

It's going to be a while before Meyers becomes "grizzled".

In fact, I have a hard time imagining what a "grizzled" Meyers would look like. LOL

I'm rooting for him.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Meyers is still a kid. A simple, somewhat immature, kid. Who seems like he wants to do well.

It's going to be a while before Meyers becomes "grizzled".

In fact, I have a hard time imagining what a "grizzled" Meyers would look like. LOL

I'm rooting for him.

I think a grizzled Meyers starts looking like Stotts in the face... *shudder*

I wish he'd kept the mustache.

The number of things Meyers has to work on is shrinking steadily. Not fouling and learning to block shots are big but they're pretty much all that's left. Meyers is more aware on the court and doesn't wander around. He gets to his spot, and he hits his shots. These are Good Things™.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Meyers is still a kid. A simple, somewhat immature, kid. Who seems like he wants to do well.

It's going to be a while before Meyers becomes "grizzled".

In fact, I have a hard time imagining what a "grizzled" Meyers would look like. LOL

I'm rooting for him.