Meyers Must Go

[Orion Bailey]

I predict Meyers Leonard breaks out next season and helps us win 50 games.

Mark it now... I said it. We are keeping him and he will make the difference next season.

 

[SIeepwalker]

No way he gets a Super Max.

I didn't write "million"

 

[Sinobas]

Meyers has physical defensive limitations. He has slow reactions. His body is too big relative to his wingspan. Opponents can exploit his deficiencies when the games matter most. Even if he shows improvements during the regular season he will be a liability against better teams in the playoffs when opponents can scheme for him.

His offensive shooting isn't as helpful as his percentages suggest because of his slow release. He can't get off many attempts. Even shooting 37.7% 3's he had a PER of 11.4; terrible for an offensive player. Ed Davis and Plumlee have PER's of 18.7 and 16.9. Harkless with his exceptional defense (which PER ignores) has a PER of 13.4. Last year when Meyers was shooting an unreal 42% threes he had a PER of 14.8; below average and inexcusable for an offensive player.

Meyers has horrific moves inside the free throw line, on offense or defense. He commits dumb fouls. He doesn't get loose balls. He doesn't hustle. All his moves are slow and predictable on both ends. He will take minutes away from other players with greater potential.

Meyers Must Go!

Yes, this is basically it. The game doesn't seem natural to him. He has a good set shot, but he doesn't seem comfortable taking it unless he is wide open and has plenty of time, and that doesn't happen very often. It's like saying DeAndre Jordan is an offensive weapon because of his great FG%.

I would keep him on board as a 3rd string situational player.

 

[Sinobas]

But I know Stotts likes Meyers out there for floor spacing, because the opponants have to respect his shooting. But if we want to play that kind of ball, we need to get an upgrade over Meyers....like Ryan Anderson.

 

[Reep]

IMO, we haven't seen his ceiling. Slow learner as it were, but the kid works hard. If he could get that baby hook down I'd love to keep him around.

I agree with this, but also do not want to overpay him. I love what he could be, but fear what might happen if he gets a big contract. Early in the season he seamed to love the Dame and Meyers as leaders of the team label. But, he liked the attention more than the actual leadership. Meyers needs to be hungry for a few more years. If he isn't, then I'm not sure he will ever become what he could be.

 

[Sinobas]

I agree with this, but also do not want to overpay him. I love what he could be, but fear what might happen if he gets a big contract. Early in the season he seamed to love the Dame and Meyers as leaders of the team label. But, he liked the attention more than the actual leadership. Meyers needs to be hungry for a few more years. If he isn't, then I'm not sure he will ever become what he could be.

I don't buy into that perpetual "potential" BS. We've all seen how that usually plays out. Meyers has been a pro for 4 seasons.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I predict Meyers Leonard breaks out next season and helps us win 50 games.

Mark it now... I said it. We are keeping him and he will make a difference next season.

FIFY.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I see him as quite a bit better than Bargnani in all respects. The similarity is they're both 7' and shoot a lot of 3pt shots. Bargnani isn't even close to being the athlete that Meyers is. And Leonard is much more of a presence on defense.

I would keep him as long as his salary is reasonable. $10M is probably reasonable.

Well, Bargnani signed a 5 year/$50 million dollar contract extension with Toronto on July 8, 2009. If Bargnani was "worth" $10 million per year in 2009 (he wasn't - what a dumb ass move by TOR), Leanard at $10 million per year would be a steal in 2016 with the much higher cap.

There was a time when 8-figure contracts were reserved for superstars, or at least quality starters. Those days are so 2009. These days, with the cap expected to be around $90 million, a lot of role players/rotation guys are going to crack $10 million per year. He may not be worth it, but I suspect some GM is going to look at Meyer's age, size, athleticism and ability to shoot the 3 and spread the floor and throw ridiculous money at him. By ridiculous, I mean anything that averages out to over $12 million per year over the life of the contract. Honestly, given what Bargnani got 7 summers ago, I'd be surprised if Meyers didn't get an offer in the 4-year/$60 million range. Many GM's still salivate over size, especially if it can also shoot the 3.

BNM

 

[Trackjack]

We need to sign Myers so he can piss of Cousins so more. The One I can Myers if Neil gives you Qaulify offer sign it that way it give you another year to show your worth the big money plus you can be UFA next year and there more money out there next year.

 

[BlayZa]

Well, Bargnani signed a 5 year/$50 million dollar contract extension with Toronto on July 8, 2009. If Bargnani was "worth" $10 million per year in 2009 (he wasn't - what a dumb ass move by TOR), Leanard at $10 million per year would be a steal in 2016 with the much higher cap.

There was a time when 8-figure contracts were reserved for superstars, or at least quality starters. Those days are so 2009. These days, with the cap expected to be around $90 million, a lot of role players/rotation guys are going to crack $10 million per year. He may not be worth it, but I suspect some GM is going to look at Meyer's age, size, athleticism and ability to shoot the 3 and spread the floor and throw ridiculous money at him. By ridiculous, I mean anything that averages out to over $12 million per year over the life of the contract. Honestly, given what Bargnani got 7 summers ago, I'd be surprised if Meyers didn't get an offer in the 4-year/$60 million range. Many GM's still salivate over size, especially if it can also shoot the 3.

BNM

the thing is people know who bargs was, meyers hasnt really started at all this season, repeat injuries, and been mostly outplayed by the bench - i doubt his visibility is as high in the league as we think. someone might offer him a contract, sure, but if someone with his credentials gets anything like you're talking in the 12m range - the worlds gone bananas...

 

[Draco]

Bargnani averaged 21 ppg. Meyers averaged 5 last year and 8 this year. Bargnani had a career PER of 14.4 with a high of 17.9. Meyers has a career PER of 12.2 with a high of 14.8. Bargnani has a block rate of 2.4%. Meyers is 1.5%.

Meyers has a long ways to go to prove he's the player Bargnani was.

 

[Denny Crane]

Bargnani averaged 21 ppg. Meyers averaged 5 last year and 8 this year. Meyers has a long ways to go to prove he's the player Bargnani was.

How bad do you have to be to play PF/C, score 21 PPG, and have a PER of ~16?

I think he just took a lot of shots and sucked at everything else basketball.

 

[Draco]

I think he just took a lot of shots and sucked at everything else basketball.

Bargnani or Meyers?

 

[Denny Crane]

Bargnani or Meyers?

Bargnani. You can shut him down by having Kaman stand next to him at the 3pt line.

He was the first overall pick in a really weak draft. He got to start for a terrible team as the #1 option. Meyers didn't have that opportunity.

 

[Chris Craig]

With his season ending injury I doubt he will get max...though I doubt a dislocated shoulder is a hard injury to come back from...Meyers will get offered too much...Blazers will wait till everyone tips their hand and then hopefully fold...its too much money for such a question mark...he's had ample time to prove himself and has made little improvement...waive bye bye to Meyers

 

[Denny Crane]

If Meyers signs an offer, the Blazers will be on the clock to decide to match.

The very worst thing that can happen to the Blazers, as far as FA and cap space, is someone makes Crabbe a big offer right away. The best thing for the Blazers would be to extend him after using as much cap space as possible.

Food for thought.

 

[Draco]

If Meyers signs an offer, the Blazers will be on the clock to decide to match.

The very worst thing that can happen to the Blazers, as far as FA and cap space, is someone makes Crabbe a big offer right away. The best thing for the Blazers would be to extend him after using as much cap space as possible.

Food for thought.

Yes if we need the cap space this summer; and if that need is beyond the first 3 days free agents sign when historically 95% of free agent deals are already agreed to.

If we don't need all $90 million of salary cap room it really doesn't matter when our player sign. That's the far more likely outcome.

 

[dviss1]

$10M is probably reasonable.

You don't pay your 3rd (4th if you count Aminu or Harkless at the 4) best big that much money. Pay him more than Ed Davis???

 

[blue9]

I hope we bring him back. I don't think he's going to get the big payday everyone is worried about. And even though his individual contributions were disappointing, we often played better as a team with him on the floor. I'd feel a lot better about the POs if Meyers was healthy.

 

[dviss1]

If Meyers signs an offer, the Blazers will be on the clock to decide to match.

The very worst thing that can happen to the Blazers, as far as FA and cap space, is someone makes Crabbe a big offer right away. The best thing for the Blazers would be to extend him after using as much cap space as possible.

Food for thought.

If he's offered 10 per, Crabbe can go just like Myers can.

 

[dviss1]

I hope we bring him back. I don't think he's going to get the big payday everyone is worried about. And even though his individual contributions were disappointing, we often played better as a team with him on the floor. I'd feel a lot better about the POs if Meyers was healthy.

I'm really puzzled by your stance. I'd you can't stand Aminu but want Meyers back?

 

[blue9]

I'm really puzzled by your stance. I'd you can't stand Aminu but want Meyers back?

I hate stupid players. Meyers isn't stupid.

 

[Denny Crane]

Yes if we need the cap space this summer; and if that need is beyond the first 3 days free agents sign when historically 95% of free agent deals are already agreed to.

If we don't need all $90 million of salary cap room it really doesn't matter when our player sign. That's the far more likely outcome.

It seems to me that the best combination of talent and flexibility is to be between the cap and LT.

The Heat with LeBron had a really hard time adding players beyond the 3 because they had to get really far under the cap to sign the 3 and had nobody, really, to trade and nobody with sizable contract to trade.

 

[Denny Crane]

You don't pay your 3rd (4th if you count Aminu or Harkless at the 4) best big that much money. Pay him more than Ed Davis???

I think we've seen Ed's ceiling. Meyers' ceiling seems still pretty high in comparison.

Plus market forces. Supply of available 7' guys who shoot 3s is not so big.

 

[Boob-No-More]

How bad do you have to be to play PF/C, score 21 PPG, and have a PER of ~16?

I think he just took a lot of shots and sucked at everything else basketball.

Exactly, inefficient chucker that sucked at EVERYTHING else.

BNM

 

[Draco]

I think we've seen Ed's ceiling. Meyers' ceiling seems still pretty high in comparison.

Plus market forces. Supply of available 7' guys who shoot 3s is not so big.

Thats the key; some of us don't believe Meyers can ever be a quality starter in this league.

Guys like Harkless, Vonleh, and Crabbe still realistically have that potential. Meyers is older than all of them, and has proven less on the court than all of them.

If you expect differently than it changes the contract Meyers should get. But if he doesn't have starter upside, and isn't a proven backup, is that an investment with more upside than downside?

 

[ripcityboy]

I just hope we don't give Meyers a contract that isn't easily tradable. I feel the only ceiling he's going to hit is the one on his house.

 

[Denny Crane]

Thats the key; some of us don't believe Meyers can ever be a quality starter in this league.

Guys like Harkless, Vonleh, and Crabbe still realistically have that potential. Meyers is older than all of them, and has proven less on the court than all of them.

If you expect differently than it changes the contract Meyers should get. But if he doesn't have starter upside, and isn't a proven backup, is that an investment with more upside than downside?

Yeah, I expect differently. They took a college C and are making him into a stretch PF. I think we see he's decent enough playing post defense like a C. He's showing he might not be too shabby at PF. It takes time. It took Pippen several seasons to become a quality PG.

 

[Reep]

I don't want to overpay Meyers, but I was thinking how nice it would have been to have him back up the center spot in the OKC game the other night. He wouldn't have stopped Enis, but I bet Enis would have had less than 30/20. Meyers is the biggest mobile body we have on the team. Even without his 3pt shot he has something that is useful.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I don't want to overpay Meyers, but I was thinking how nice it would have been to have him back up the center spot in the OKC game the other night. He wouldn't have stopped Enis, but I bet Enis would have had less than 30/20. Meyers is the biggest mobile body we have on the team. Even without his 3pt shot he has something that is useful.

Yep, Meyers is a role player that plays multiple roles. He spreads the floor on offense - and while his individual numbers aren't particularly great and he averages about 1.5 brain farts/36, all the team metrics show the TEAM plays better when he's on the floor.

On defense, he has proven effective guarding (and frustrating) big body, low post centers (like Gasol and Cousins). I know there aren't a lot of those left in the league, but it sure is nice to have a big body to throw at them when we play those teams.

The question is how much is that kind of role player worth in today's NBA? As I mentioned in an earlier post, with the cap going way up, the days of 8-figure contracts being reserved for superstars and solid starters are a thing of the past. Soon, you'll see every rotation player in the top 8 or 9 making >$10 million/year. Given his size, age, shooting ability, etc., I suspect Meyers will be one of those role players whose next contract averages > $10 million per year.

BNM