Leonard admits he's pressing

[Boise Blazer]

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/leonar...ews-wont-turn-away-3-point-contest-invitation

When the locker room opened for media entrance after the Portland Trail Blazers destroyed the Utah Jazz 130-98 last night at the Moda Center, Damian Lillard was seen giving instructions.

“Next time, just slam it down. Every time,” he said.

He was talking to Meyers Leonard.

With a 38-point lead heading into the final quarter, Leonard and other seldom used reserves received a healthy dose of playing time last night.

On his first scoring opportunity, Leonard beat his man, super-long Rudy Gobert, down the court and it appeared he had an easy dunk when Thomas Robinson finally found him up-court.

Instead of going straight up, Leonard pump-faked, allowing Gobert time to get back. He then proceeded to get a shot off only to see Gobert swat it away. Leonard is too athletic to allow anyone to force him into second-guessing athletic finishes at the rim. He should win most of the battles, and his point guard wanted him to know that.

“I shouldn’t have shot-faked it. I should have went up with it,” Leonard admitted post-game. “Just like Dame said, I got to go up strong with those.”

Leonard clearly looked out of sorts in his stint, which is natural for someone who has only appeared in four games this season and the last contest he participated in was a Nov. 27 match against the Phoenix Suns.

Last night in 12 minutes of action, he was 0-for-three from the field: the Gobert block, an easy put-back layup at point-blank range and a floater in the paint that rolled around the rim before coming off. Leonard is a better player than that.

“It’s just that I press on myself probably a little too much,” Leonard said. “Being nervous about not making mistakes and wanting to prove myself when I have the chances. I just need to kind of relax out there and play my game.”

When you’re out of the rotation for long periods of time, often confidence is the first thing that starts to waver for numerous reasons.

It could be that you start to believe that the coaches have lost faith in you. It could even force you to start losing confidence in yourself. Leonard insists confidence isn’t the issue and just attributes his outing to trying to play impossible, error-free basketball.

“It doesn’t have a lot to do with confidence,” Leonard said emphatically. “It’s just a feel for the game and pressing a little too much on myself to not make mistakes. I had moments where I did pretty well. I had a couple times where I didn’t make the right play. It is what it is. Hopefully I’ll continue to get some chances.”

Leonard, however, did register six rebounds and a block during his stint. He even had a nice bounce pass to Thomas Robinson from the top of the key that led to a foul. The night wasn’t all bad for Leonard, but he and his teammates know that he can do better.

“I just have to continue to prove myself to the coaches, the vets and to the rest of team that I’ll come everyday and work as hard as I can,” he said. “Hopefully when I get in the game, I’ll prove myself.”

 

[magnifier661]

He plays scared and it's what bothers me the most. He has the physical ability to take it up strong, yet he worries about getting swatted or hurt. If you want to earn minutes, they put yourself out there. Put your body on the line and be the player you should.

 

[Strenuus]

You must be pressing really hard if you're missing from 15 inches from the from.

The only thing he's pressing is his eyes closed when a player comes near him.

Regardless, the guy is still really young. So, lots of room for growth.

 

[e_blazer]

That bounce pass to Robinson was sweet. Hope he gets some more minutes...if only because it means the Blazers are blowing somebody out.

 

[Further]

I feel kind of bad for the kid. But my big problem is whenever he opens his mouth he talks about offense. I know he is capable on that side of the court and given time should be pretty good. But on the defensive end is where he should be concentrating. When he speaks he should should discuss what he's doing to improve on the Defensive end.

 

[HailBlazers]

He plays scared and it's what bothers me the most. He has the physical ability to take it up strong, yet he worries about getting swatted or hurt. If you want to earn minutes, they put yourself out there. Put your body on the line and be the player you should.

He's scared of messing up, not getting hurt

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

He needs to get turnt up.

hoop fam

 

[Further]

That bounce pass to Robinson was sweet. Hope he gets some more minutes...if only because it means the Blazers are blowing somebody out.

Agreed that pass was sweet, even if Robinson messed it up. Also, loved how he was constantly trying to set picks for the guards, but most of those could have been fouls on Meyers.

I really think he needs to get some burn to learn, grow and keep his confidence up, and since he's not going to get much time in PDX barring injuries, I really think he's a great candidate for the d-league.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Did he go to big man camp? Honestly on instagram it looked like he spent all summer strength training and hanging with his girlfriend and not playing basketball.

hoop fam

 

[BBert]

Leonard is not the only basketball player to ever miss a layup. I've seen the best players miss gimmees and it's not uncommon for players to miss on repeated putbacks. Yes he's pressing. Yes he's thinking too much But he's trying. Yes he still has a lot of growing up and growing into the game to do. He's a project. I expect zero from him this season, and I hope we have more blowouts so he can get more court time.

 

[Hobbesarable]

He plays scared and it's what bothers me the most. He has the physical ability to take it up strong, yet he worries about getting swatted or hurt. If you want to earn minutes, they put yourself out there. Put your body on the line and be the player you should.

A lot of the game is instinctual. This is a big part of the problem for Leonard.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

A lot of the game is instinctual. This is a big part of the problem for Leonard.

Yep, the only natural instinct he seems to have is to play like a wuss.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Does pressing mean sucking in Illinois?

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Meyers looked decent last year, he's scared of losing his job at this point. I think we should support the young fella, he's one of ours. I'm glad to see dame is being a leader and coaching him.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I find it pointless to even discuss a player's performance when he has only played in 3 blow out games. Those minutes are very misleading.

 

[Hobbesarable]

He looks completely lost on defense every time he's out there.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

After everything I've seen of Leonard, I can't say I really have any hope than he turns out to be a decent NBA player. He doesn't do anything right.. I've said it before and I'll say it again, that dude barely knows how to play basketball, and he doesn't seem to have a mindset to improve.

 

[MickZagger]

If I was a veteran on the Blazers I'd confiscate his xbox from him. Way too much call of duty, not enough focusing on basketball.

 

[Sinobas]

Leonard needs to go to the d-league right now. Let him get some confidence playing inferior competition. I still think he's never ever going to be a center in this league. He's a shooting PF. He has the physical ability to score inside and be a decent defender at the 4 but doesn't have it upstairs yet.

I don't understand why the Blazers are trying to force him to be a center. It's like trying to force LA to be a center.

 

[StumptownHoliday]

Unlike a lot of you guys, I'm not down on Leonard. Two things succeed in the NBA: highly skilled players who know their roles and incredibly athletic freaks. Players who combine those (LeBron, KD) become all-time greats. Meyers is the latter in spades. He really just needs time and nurturing. I think you guys will see a great player in a few years. He's only 20, yo.

 

[Carlito]

God I can't wait till he's traded or cut. He's the new Nolan Smith.

Translation... Garbage

 

[RR7]

Meyers looked decent last year, he's scared of losing his job at this point. I think we should support the young fella, he's one of ours. I'm glad to see dame is being a leader and coaching him.

Scared of losing his job? He lost his job. That's gone. What we should see is him playing pissed off, with a chip on his shoulder fighting to get his job back. Obviously, I have no idea what happens in practice, but we've had foul troubles, and just poor showings in some games from Freeland and Robinson, and Leonard has never been inserted in those games, which makes me guess he isn't really doing that in practice. Nothing to be scared of at this point.

 

[MickZagger]

Unlike a lot of you guys, I'm not down on Leonard. Two things succeed in the NBA: highly skilled players who know their roles and incredibly athletic freaks. Players who combine those (LeBron, KD) become all-time greats. Meyers is the latter in spades. He really just needs time and nurturing. I think you guys will see a great player in a few years. He's only 20, yo.

I actually agree.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Unlike a lot of you guys, I'm not down on Leonard. Two things succeed in the NBA: highly skilled players who know their roles and incredibly athletic freaks. Players who combine those (LeBron, KD) become all-time greats. Meyers is the latter in spades. He really just needs time and nurturing. I think you guys will see a great player in a few years. He's only 20, yo.

I don't think he's as much of an athletic freak as you do, or at least not in a way that will make him succeed in the NBA. He doesn't jump abnormally high, he's not a quick jumper at all, and he isn't very strong either. He's pretty darn fast running down the court, but he can't do anything good on either side, so what's the point?

Oh and he just looks awkward when he runs and jumps. Freakishly athletic people shouldn't look awkward. He really does move like a big white stiff.

 

[MickZagger]

I don't think he's as much of an athletic freak as you do, or at least not in a way that will make him succeed in the NBA. He doesn't jump abnormally high, he's not a quick jumper at all, and he isn't very strong either. He's pretty darn fast running down the court, but he can't do anything good on either side, so what's the point?

Oh and he just looks awkward when he runs and jumps. Freakishly athletic people shouldn't look awkward. He really does move like a big white stiff.

Drains free throws like they're a given, has good passing abilities (exampled by his dime to T-Rob last night). He jumps a lot higher than most 7 footers outside of Javalle McGee and DeAndre Jordan. He'll be fine. It just seems popular to be a skeptic right now. Guys develop differently.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Drains free throws like they're a given, has good passing abilities (exampled by his dime to T-Rob last night). He jumps a lot higher than most 7 footers outside of Javalle McGee and DeAndre Jordan. He'll be fine. It just seems popular to be a skeptic right now. Guys develop differently.

Hahaha, okay.

If anyone watches Meyers Leonard and sees potential to be a good player, they are delusional.

JUST WATCH HIM, HE'S TERRIBLE.

It really is that simple and obvious.

 

[MickZagger]

Hahaha, okay.

If anyone watches Meyers Leonard and sees potential to be a good player, they are delusional.

JUST WATCH HIM, HE'S TERRIBLE.

It really is that simple and obvious.

Well if VanilGoril says so....

 

[Further]

He could turn out well, but it's not going to happen this year. D-league, where he can get the concentrated coaching and actually play in games.

 

[Strenuus]

He could turn out well, but it's not going to happen this year. D-league, where he can get the concentrated coaching and actually play in games.

Is it just me, or is the D-league just for show when it comes to development and using it to make people better when they aren't getting PT up here? It seems they wait for months to do anything. Just send Leonard down there. Is there some clause in contracts or something? Even if you have to, send Lauderdale up here. He's been playing good down there. He can fill the spot or whatever. Never understood how the hell that works. Leonard needs to be down there more than he needs to be up here. That much is true.

 

[Further]

Is it just me, or is the D-league just for show when it comes to development and using it to make people better when they aren't getting PT up here? It seems they wait for months to do anything. Just send Leonard down there. Is there some clause in contracts or something? Even if you have to, send Lauderdale up here. He's been playing good down there. He can fill the spot or whatever. Never understood how the hell that works. Leonard needs to be down there more than he needs to be up here. That much is true.

We can't bring him up without cutting somebody, but we should be sending our youth down there more often. A year ago they changed the system so that the coaches in our dleague team use the exact same plays, so it would be more beneficial to blazers sent down, but they still hardly ever use it. I think it's considered a demotion and is embarrassing to the blazers sent down, but it should be looked at as a chance to earn playing time once you return.