Meyers Leonard-Hybrid?

[Pinwheel1]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ers_meyers_leonard_embracing_hybrid_role.html

Interesting comments from Dame

 

[BBert]

Yep.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

That's a fantastic pull quote by Dame. If Leonard can turn into a baby Channing Frye, he'll have a career ahead of him.

One thing I was impressed with at fan fest was Leonard's outlet passes; he threw like a quarterback and nailed the receiver both times.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Especially given our current roster I have zero problems with this. Maximize the talents he has for now and let him grow and expand his game if he skills allow. Confidence is so huge with guys like him

 

[Rastapopoulos]

More bad news for T-Rob.

 

[Pinwheel1]

More bad news for T-Rob.

Yeah it is going to be interesting how it all plays out. You have Meyers who can pop from the outside and you have TRob who goes strong after every rebound, and you have Joel who can do a little of both. All backing up LA.

And technically you have Claver who is not like any of them... Lot of options.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

A Kaman-Leonard combination works offensively, but defensively?

 

[illmatic99]

Offense offense offense. I don't care what he gives us on O, when he can't do shit on D. Dude swats at players as if he's 6'1 and not 7'1, and has no instincts whatsoever. He had a TOTAL of 5 blocks all season last year. Come on, Terry/Dame. Where should the focus be?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

A Kaman-Leonard combination works offensively, but defensively?

Kaman's a decent defender; he's one player who has given Dwight trouble in the recent past.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Offense offense offense. I don't care what he gives us on O, when he can't do shit on D. Dude swats at players as if he's 6'1 and not 7'1, and has no instincts whatsoever. He had a TOTAL of 5 blocks all season last year. Come on, Terry/Dame. Where should the focus be?

The focus should be on maximizing player output. Say what you like about defense; if the weapon is offensive, use it offensively.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Offense offense offense. I don't care what he gives us on O, when he can't do shit on D. Dude swats at players as if he's 6'1 and not 7'1, and has no instincts whatsoever. He had a TOTAL of 5 blocks all season last year. Come on, Terry/Dame. Where should the focus be?

We have been bitching about the lack of scoring on the second team for at least two years and it's not even important? I think the point of the article is that they are acknowledging he is not a defensive center, so they might as well utilize him in a way that he can help. Put him in the game with a center who can play defense and let him shoot the open 8-15 footers and help spread the floor.

 

[BBert]

Especially given our current roster I have zero problems with this. Maximize the talents he has for now and let him grow and expand his game if he skills allow. Confidence is so huge with guys like him

This. Work on his strengths first. Fill in with new skills after. Eventually Meyers can be a stonger, more effective low post player than Channing Frye, and probably shoot the ball just as well.

 

[noknobs]

Good for Leonard, he'll make a great 3rd string PF/C behind TRob and Freeland.

 

[magnifier661]

It will be nice if he can evolve into that type of player. Sometimes having that "stretch 4" on the offensive end; especially if we are trying to give Dame room to operate.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

I think it is better to utilize a player for the skills they have instead of trying to turn them into players they are not. If Leonard was close to being a serviceable center it would be debated. Do not see minutes though as PF is already covered.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Yeah there is a big difference between improving, and moving up on the depth chart. He is still 4th string at PF behind LA, TRob, and Joel. (IMO) but it's still a positive that he is developing in case of massive injuries or trades.

 

[blue32]

That article references Meyers with good hands... Nope, no way. Not from what I've seen the last couple of years.

A 7'1 stretch four is not what this team needs.... but whaaaatever, make him look good and trade bait that sob.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I'm pro-Meyers right now. I'm hoping we keep him for vet min instead of releasing him when his time is up.

 

[RoyToy]

If he's shit defensively I don't want him on the court

 

[Sinobas]

I'll believe it when I see it. So far, I've seen 0 improvement out of Meyers, only suckage.

 

[ShareTheRock]

Maybe being a stretch four will also help hide is glaring defensive weaknesses as he will be playing other jump shooting forwards.

 

[Reep]

Improved Meyer lemon

 

[Hobbesarable]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ers_meyers_leonard_embracing_hybrid_role.html

Interesting comments from Dame

Embracing end of bench role is more likely.

I'd rather see TRob and Freeland ahead of Meyers in the regular rotation.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Embracing end of bench role is more likely.

I'd rather see TRob and Freeland ahead of Meyers in the regular rotation.

That's exactly where they are right now, but I'd like to see them continue to earn it. Freeland is steady and serviceable, but you give up a lot offensively when he's in the game. He showed significant improvement from his rookie year to second season, but at 27, I'm not sure if he has much upside. Robinson is a bundle of energy and athleticism, but still very mistake prone and lost in the half court game. I want to see all three continue to push each other in practice and compete to earn the limited back up minutes.

Internal competition is what's going to drive the young guys on our bench to improve. Robinson, Leonard, C.J. and Will all have yet to come close to reaching their potential. Some will, some won't. I'm glad we have multiple young players competing for minutes. May the best men win!

BNM

 

[Pinwheel1]

Embracing end of bench role is more likely.

I'd rather see TRob and Freeland ahead of Meyers in the regular rotation.

I don't think anyone is debating that.

 

[Fun in the Sun]

The funny thing is he was drafted for defense.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Frankly, I don't think that's funny at all!

The funny thing is he was drafted for defense.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The funny thing is he was drafted for defense.

Funny thing is, he was the third best DRtg on the team last year behind LA and TRob. Rebounds almost exactly like LA, too.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

A Leonard Hybrid, eh?

Anyone wanna guess who I morphed him with?

 

[jlprk]

If our 3s, Batum (.361), Wright (.342), and Claver (.167), continue to be 3-point journeymen, I can see Stotts playing Leonard regularly at the stretch-3, but it might make Crabbe bolt.