[Pick #11] A case for Meyers Leonard

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If he ends up a bust, you have a great headline. "Meyer Lemon . . . "
 
Quite the debate this has turned out to be on a project late in the lotto...
 
Mike Schmitz ‏@Mike_Schmitz
I really like Meyers Leonard the more I watch him. Yes he's raw but his combination of length and athleticism at that position is ridiculous
 
VanillaGorilla said:
Mike Schmitz ‏@Mike_Schmitz
I really like Meyers Leonard the more I watch him. Yes he's raw but his combination of length and athleticism at that position is ridiculous
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That scares the cr@p out of me. How many times have we heard that line with players that never develop. I'm really torn on him at 11. I don't think he is BPA at 11, but am afraid we will want a big there. Comparing him with Zeller is a challenge.

Zeller is more fluid than the average white stiffs we often see. I think he may actually be underrated and end up being a really good player on the right team. He runs extremely well and has solid fundamentals and very good size. Leonard reminds me of a bigger version of McRoberts. Can dunk well and very athletic, but never developed the useful skills to be more than a bench player.
 
MickZagger said:
Very true. What seperates Leonard from say Cole Aldrich in my opinion is that he's skilled and athletic. Aldrich looked so methodical at Kansas.
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Dunno if Meyers is any more skilled than Aldrich, but Aldrich was 6'9 barefoot while Leonard is over 6'11 barefoot. Aldrich was 236 lbs, Leonard is 250 lbs. Its safe to say Leonard is also much more athletic. Leonard has a prototype NBA C body. Hes a long way off but if a team is patient with him and coaches him up you could have a really solid C for the next decade.
 
Fez Hammersticks said:
The way scouts/analysts describe his workouts he sounds a lot like JaVale McGee.

At least in terms of size and athletic ability.
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What were Leonard's vert numbers?

McGee has a 3" wingspan advantage and 6" advantage in reach
 
Run BJM said:
Dunno if Meyers is any more skilled than Aldrich, but Aldrich was 6'9 barefoot while Leonard is over 6'11 barefoot. Aldrich was 236 lbs, Leonard is 250 lbs. Its safe to say Leonard is also much more athletic. Leonard has a prototype NBA C body. Hes a long way off but if a team is patient with him and coaches him up you could have a really solid C for the next decade.
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Agreed.
 
Reep said:
That scares the cr@p out of me. How many times have we heard that line with players that never develop. I'm really torn on him at 11. I don't think he is BPA at 11, but am afraid we will want a big there. Comparing him with Zeller is a challenge.

Zeller is more fluid than the average white stiffs we often see. I think he may actually be underrated and end up being a really good player on the right team. He runs extremely well and has solid fundamentals and very good size. Leonard reminds me of a bigger version of McRoberts. Can dunk well and very athletic, but never developed the useful skills to be more than a bench player.
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Will Zeller even be a starter in the NBA though? I don't think he has the physical tools to protect the rim very well. IMO his post game won't translate in the league- won't be able to hold position on the low block, won't be able to over power or shoot over guys, the release on his baby hook is pretty fuggin low, and I don't see a very wide range of moves in general. We'll see how the rebounding translates, but I just don't like the odds of heavy footed C's ever making it as starters.

Yes, Leonard is a long ways off, but you have to take some risks at some point to get a reward. Big men take a long time but they can come around as long as they want it and you provide plenty of coaching and patience. Like I've said so many times, the Lakers got Bynum at #10 overall because everyone else was too afraid to take the "risk" on him. These picks often don't work out, but they do represent tremendous value. Teams need to do their homework on Leonard/Drummond and make sure they're not lazy asses. If this guy had no risk he'd be a top 5 pick, why not take the chance on him and see if you get that kind of a return?
 
As much as his 7-foot-1 frame and shot-blocking ability have earned him attention, Meyers Leonard also finds himself explaining to possible employers his on-court emotions.

Some — including his former coach Bruce Weber at Illinois — have described him as immature. But Leonard has told teams, including those at Thursday's NBA predraft camp at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, that his emotions are a positive.
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http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...20608_1_meyers-leonard-funny-bone-jae-crowder

There is also questions about the maturity of Leonard which is not something the Blazers need right now. They need guys who are leaders, that is why the locker room fell apart last year because there was no one to take charge of it. He could have a lot of talent but if Leonard is not put into a strong locker room then I don't think he will be successful.
 
Run BJM said:
Dunno if Meyers is any more skilled than Aldrich, but Aldrich was 6'9 barefoot while Leonard is over 6'11 barefoot. Aldrich was 236 lbs, Leonard is 250 lbs. Its safe to say Leonard is also much more athletic. Leonard has a prototype NBA C body. Hes a long way off but if a team is patient with him and coaches him up you could have a really solid C for the next decade.
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By the time he developes (if he does), he may no longer be on the team that drafted him....like many failed center prospects...journeymen...taken in the lottery....
 
He has a lot of hype because of his size and athleticism but when you're talking BPA at #11 and Sullinger is available you have to take him IMO.
 
Well I admit I have no clue on this guy, but I would not feel comfortable using a late lottery pick on a average center. They just never seem to pan out. Where a good center used to be the most important position on the court, they are now last IMO. A few are dominant, but the vast majority are irrelevant in crunch time. Use the pick on a skilled player.

Aren't the Blazers due to meet with Freeland this week? I would rather sign him and use our picks on someone who can create their own shot. I would rather have bigs who can step away from the basket and shoot. Bigs these days rarely get the ball down low anymore, so what good are they? Defense and rebounding, that's about it. Even Dwight Howard who is one of the top centers in the world rarely sees the ball in crunch time. We need guards!
 
Fez Hammersticks said:
He has a lot of hype because of his size and athleticism but when you're talking BPA at #11 and Sullinger is available you have to take him IMO.
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Says the guy who less than a month ago said he'd pass on Robinson at 2 because he's a PF and only a PF, same as Aldridge.

Just pick everyone in the draft. Will make it easier for you.
 
I wasn't too hip on the idea at first, I admit that.

After evaluating what the Blazers are missing, the PF/C crop next year and in 2014, he's the best option.

Wet sarape.
 
RR7 said:
Says the guy who less than a month ago said he'd pass on Robinson at 2 because he's a PF and only a PF, same as Aldridge.

Just pick everyone in the draft. Will make it easier for you.
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:laugh: Not gonna lie Fez, you have been the biggest flip-flopper these boards have seen over the last week or two...
 
RR7 said:
Says the guy who less than a month ago said he'd pass on Robinson at 2 because he's a PF and only a PF, same as Aldridge.

Just pick everyone in the draft. Will make it easier for you.
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Fez Hammersticks said:
I wasn't too hip on the idea at first, I admit that.

After evaluating what the Blazers are missing, the PF/C crop next year and in 2014, he's the best option.

Wet sarape.
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Blazer Freak said:
:laugh: Not gonna lie Fez, you have been the biggest flip-flopper these boards have seen over the last week or two...
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It's only cause every time Fez forms an opinion he says it over and over with such conviction. Everyone changes their opinions as they gather more information it's just more dramatic with him.
 
I think Portland needs guys that can come in and produce right away.

Meyers Leonard is definitely intriguing and I was impressed the few times I watched him play, but by the time he's ready to contribute consistently, Aldridge will have the option to bolt for greener pastures.

Thats why im leaning towards guys like Sullinger and Robinson for bigs. Both aren't ideal fits but Aldridge has the length to slide to the 5 and Sullinger and Robinson both project as good rebounders for the PF postion. Pick up a defensive minded big in FA and I think you have a pretty nice frontcourt rotation for the future.
 
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JDC said:
I think Portland needs guys that can come in and produce right away.

Meyers Leonard is definitely intriguing and I was impressed the few times I watched him play, but by the time he's ready to contribute consistently, Aldridge will have the option to bolt for greener pastures.

Thats why im leaning towards guys like Sullinger and Robinson for bigs. Both aren't ideal fits but Aldridge has the length to slide to the 5 and Sullinger and Robinson both project as good rebounders for the PF postion. Pick up a defensive minded big in FA and I think you have a pretty nice frontcourt rotation for the future.
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I think the general consensus now is that Robinson will go at 2, so don't worry about him
 
Here is another thing about Leonard that should be concerning to fans and POR mgmt...He really struggles with his mental toughness and self confidence....If you struggle with this in college, playing in the NBA isn't going to rectify this...The NBA destroys confidence it doesn't build it up....

You would think a team that drafted Luke Babbitt would clearly recognize this....That has to be a major red flag....Saying you are confident is one thing but you can't hide the lack of it when you are on the court and there is no pity in the NBA...Other players will actively try and intimidate you, fuck with your self confidence...

And his shot is going to get blocked....that hook of his, is very defendable and people say he has the ability to shoot from the perimeter but he shot something like 20 something percent form mid range...uh, got some work to do there...Apparently he clanked from the outised at his workout in POR as well....So you are looking at primarily a guy whose best shot is an uncontested dunk...Well, ok, DeAndre Jordan gets away with that...but you add in the questions about his mental toughness, self confidence, his need to add strength (getting pushed around in the paint by smaller players? not good) and at BEST you are looking at a long term project for the HOPE that he comes out like DeAndre Jordan and more likely he is like a Robert Swift, all that athleticism etc but can't put it together at the NBA level....

Not worth taking at #11...
 
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Blaze01 said:
Here is another thing about Leonard that should be concerning to fans and POR mgmt...He really struggls with his mental toughness and self confidence....IF you struggle with this in college, playing in the NBA isn't going to rectify this...The NBA destroys confidence it doesn't build it up....

You would think a team that drafted Luke Babbitt would clearly recognize this....
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And another thing.

He is a white American center
 
I'd keep wanting to call him Meyers Lemon. And we don't need another stinking lemon.
 
Drummond and Lemon--I mean Leonard are actually somewhat similar players. Both are big athletic bodies, that are raw and might develop into solid centers. I agree that Drummond looks to have the bigger upside, but he could also have some problems.

A comparison:
standing reach: Drummond by 1.5"
Agility: Drummond by almost 0.5 seconds
3/4 sprint: almost identical

40-minute pace adjusted stats:
scoring: Leonard 3 more pts/game
rebounding: almost identical
blocks: Drummond 3.9; Leonard 2.4
free throw %: Leonard 73%; Drummond 30% (worst of all listed on draftexpress stats database [not just draftees] by >5%)

I still think Drummond is a better prospect, but I could easily see Leonard becoming the more effective of the two. Lower odds, but it could happen.
 
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