Meyers Leonard on offense

[Sinobas]

I think the Blazers should start giving Meyers more opportunities in the offense. He's reportedly a great shooter in practice, and has made shots in games. When he gets the ball at mid range, no one comes out to defend him. Why not let him shoot more?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

if they are gonna lose every night, i wouldnt mind nards getting 15 shots a game

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I think the Blazers should start giving Meyers more opportunities in the offense. He's reportedly a great shooter in practice, and has made shots in games. When he gets the ball at mid range, no one comes out to defend him. Why not let him shoot more?

I agree. Let him learn on the job a bit more, ala Dame.

 

[jlprk]

This will be great. We'll be the only NBA team whose PF and C both think of themselves primarily as shooters.

 

[blue9]

I'm actually on-board with the idea of Meyers shooting from 15'. I don't know how he is as a passer, but if he can pass well then being able to drag opposing Cs out of the paint with his jumper should really open up the paint for cutters. LMA is a bad passer, so his ability to hit the jumper (at only a 42% clip) doesn't really open up any offensive avenues...and he's not exactly dragging any defenders out of the paint. But a C who can shoot AND pass opens up all sorts of offensive options.

And yeah - this is a developmental season, so I wholeheartedly agree that Meyers should be allowed to play through his mistakes and should be afforded more opportunities in offense. He's definitely rough in the post, so I understand not running plays for him down there right now...but at some point this season we need to start letting him develop in game situations, not just practice.

 

[Eastoff]

I'm actually on-board with the idea of Meyers shooting from 15'. I don't know how he is as a passer, but if he can pass well then being able to drag opposing Cs out of the paint with his jumper should really open up the paint for cutters. LMA is a bad passer, so his ability to hit the jumper (at only a 42% clip) doesn't really open up any offensive avenues...and he's not exactly dragging any defenders out of the paint. But a C who can shoot AND pass opens up all sorts of offensive options.

And yeah - this is a developmental season, so I wholeheartedly agree that Meyers should be allowed to play through his mistakes and should be afforded more opportunities in offense. He's definitely rough in the post, so I understand not running plays for him down there right now...but at some point this season we need to start letting him develop in game situations, not just practice.

I seem to recall him being a fairly good passer from the key.

 

[Blazinaway]

Meyers is gonna get playin time at this stage based upon his rebounding and D and shot blocking. Frankly he's been a bit disappointing for me on this end so far, he seems easily pushed around and often out of position to get rebs, seems to mis-time his jumping as well. With this athleticism I think this will improve and overall I still like his skill set.

 

[magnifier661]

Meyers is gonna get playin time at this stage based upon his rebounding and D and shot blocking. Frankly he's been a bit disappointing for me on this end so far, he seems easily pushed around and often out of position to get rebs, seems to mis-time his jumping as well. With this athleticism I think this will improve and overall I still like his skill set.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I thought he was drafted because of his toughness, rebounding and defense. The offense is a plus; but only until the fool learns on the defensive end more.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I thought he was drafted because of his toughness, rebounding and defense.

You thought wrong. He was drafted based on his size, athleticism and potential. He was not a dominant rebounder or defender/shot blocker in college. He's just as raw, probably more raw, on defense as offense. It looks like no one has ever tried to teach him basic defensive fundamentals - that he skated by based on his size and athleticism. In the NBA, he's playing against guys just as big and athletic, but more skilled. He definitely needs a LOT of work on his basic defensive skills. At least on offense he can dunk and has a soft touch on his jumper. He needs a lot of work on both ends of the court.

The good news is he has the size, athleticism and basic skills to be above average at both ends. The bad news is it will take him a while to get there - if ever. I think he will get there, but it's going to take about three years before he will become an above average NBA starting center. The additional good news is he will only be 23 at that time. Patience everyone, he's a work in progress.

BNM

 

[Blazinaway]

You thought wrong. He was drafted based on his size, athleticism and potential. He was not a dominant rebounder or defender/shot blocker in college. He's just as raw, probably more raw, on defense as offense. It looks like no one has ever tried to teach him basic defensive fundamentals - that he skated by based on his size and athleticism. In the NBA, he's playing against guys just as big and athletic, but more skilled. He definitely needs a LOT of work on his basic defensive skills. At least on offense he can dunk and has a soft touch on his jumper. He needs a lot of work on both ends of the court.

The good news is he has the size, athleticism and basic skills to be above average at both ends. The bad news is it will take him a while to get there - if ever. I think he will get there, but it's going to take about three years before he will become an above average NBA starting center. The additional good news is he will only be 23 at that time. Patience everyone, he's a work in progress.

BNM

no probs with being patient, and I agree with the "3 years"

 

[blue9]

I agree with all of that - his defense is quite bad. But all I'm saying is that since we suck this season playing him 10+ mpg isn't going to have a negative impact on the end result of the season (lotto). And while we DO need to focus on his development during practices, actual game-time is probably just as valuable, if not more valuable - you always hear about how actual game play can't be simulated in practices.

 

[jlprk]

He'll hold his position better next year after gaining 15 pounds of solid muscle this summer.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I want to see him in a lot more P&R's.

Watch Nash/Amare when he was a rookie and that's how they should be developing the Lillard/Leonard combo.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

I wonder what Greg Oden on Defense thinks about this?

 

[Boob-No-More]

I wonder what Greg Oden on Defense thinks about this?

He's probably thinking: "I wonder how much it would cost to transplant his knees onto my body".

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

Leonard was great in the first half vs Brooklyn. Had 12 points at the half and was severely outplaying Lopez. But then we stopped going to him and he didn't score again.