Ride the tank

[B-Roy]

Um No.

Actually, I think it's a fair point. In 18 games this season he has already surpassed the total amount of minutes he played last year (260 to 259), and the results are not pretty. For example:

2.8PPG/3.1RPG and 7.1/7.8 PER36.
An abysmal shooting percentage of 36% overall and 18% from 3.
PER of 4.1 (13.2 last year)
Total rebounding percentage of 11.6% (18.3% last year)
More than twice as many turnovers as assists
83 ORTG (!!!)
106 DRTG
The eye test has not been kind either, he has trouble making simple decisions and has absolutely NO touch around the basket whatsoever, and this is with him being a consistent part of the rotation and even starting a few games.

Ha in his best year had a PER of 6.9 with very similar points and rebounding numbers. Ha even shot a better percentage. I am not saying at all that Vonleh will be as bad as Ha, but so far, he's pretty damn close. He's been BAD bad, like really bad.

 

[Natebishop3]

I understand that you have to take summer league with a grain of salt, but the talent is there. We have seen it. He's a kid. He's raw. He lacks confidence. I wish I could take some of you guys seriously, but the speed in which some of you destroyed the Meyers Leonard bandwagon, rebuilt it and hopped on in a big way, and then quickly hopped back off and started to destroy it again, I really can't trust your evaluations.

 

[HailBlazers]

I understand that you have to take summer league with a grain of salt, but the talent is there. We have seen it. He's a kid. He's raw. He lacks confidence. I wish I could take some of you guys seriously, but the speed in which some of you destroyed the Meyers Leonard bandwagon, rebuilt it and hopped on in a big way, and then quickly hopped back off and started to destroy it again, I really can't trust your evaluations.

Exactly. Never remember seeing any of that from Ha Seung-jin.

 

[BBert]

And they conveniently forget that our recent resurgence (both times) were on the backs of Roy/Aldridge and Dame/Aldridge. Where did those players come from?

Aldridge #2 overall draft pick.
Roy #6 overall draft pick.
Dame #6 overall draft pick.

While we traded for all three picks, they were still Blazer rookies. We didn't sign them as free agents, and in the case of Roy and Aldridge, we only traded up a couple spots to get them.

(Hopefully) In before someone points out they weren't our picks as if that makes your point moot (it doesn't). The point is, that I would like to reiterate, is that they were lotto picks, regardless of whether we acquired them through trade or lotto position. If we get more lotto picks, either by ping pong balls or trade, there is at least the chance to acquire a star player.

 

[B-Roy]

I understand that you have to take summer league with a grain of salt, but the talent is there. We have seen it. He's a kid. He's raw. He lacks confidence. I wish I could take some of you guys seriously, but the speed in which some of you destroyed the Meyers Leonard bandwagon, rebuilt it and hopped on in a big way, and then quickly hopped back off and started to destroy it again, I really can't trust your evaluations.

You destroyed Meyers Leonard right alongside everyone else.

I don't think blue, me or anyone else is saying Vonleh is a lost cause, just that he's bad right now, because he is. Of course the talent is there, but I don't think you should pin your hopes on him putting it all together. Chances are he maxes out somewhere in the middle. I don't really see him turning into a star but its possible.

 

[Natebishop3]

(Hopefully) In before someone points out they weren't our picks as if that makes your point moot (it doesn't). The point is, that I would like to reiterate, is that they were lotto picks, regardless of whether we acquired them through trade or lotto position. If we get more lotto picks, either by ping pong balls or trade, there is at least the chance to acquire a star player.

If this was chess, some fans are happy just taking out the queen or a bishop. They don't think two or three steps ahead. The goal is to kill the king. The goal is to win a championship. Someone like Neil is trying to make the moves to put us in position to ultimately win a championship. Not just make the playoffs. It's pretty clear that Neil is someone that is thinking long term.

 

[blue9]

I understand that you have to take summer league with a grain of salt, but the talent is there. We have seen it. He's a kid. He's raw. He lacks confidence. I wish I could take some of you guys seriously, but the speed in which some of you destroyed the Meyers Leonard bandwagon, rebuilt it and hopped on in a big way, and then quickly hopped back off and started to destroy it again, I really can't trust your evaluations.

While I definitely was not on the early Meyers bandwagon, I do recall being excited about his rebounding and outlet passing. The only thing exciting about Vonleh right now is his size and age. Maybe, he'll attain the success that some people think is inevitable, but right now he's just plain bad. There's no other way around it - he's BAD. I'm not saying anything about his future, only his present. Relying on him as an important part of our future is a bad idea. He should be looked at as a potential "cherry on top", not the ice cream, banana, hot fudge, whipped cream, or even the crushed peanuts.

 

[Natebishop3]

You destroyed Meyers Leonard right alongside everyone else.

I don't think blue, me or anyone else is saying Vonleh is a lost cause, just that he's bad right now, because he is. Of course the talent is there, but I don't think you should pin your hopes on him putting it all together. Chances are he maxes out somewhere in the middle. I don't really see him turning into a star but its possible.

The difference is that I was never on the bandwagon. I wasn't going around calling him Legend.

 

[B-Roy]

The difference is that I was never on the bandwagon. I wasn't going around calling him Legend.

You and just about everyone else on this forum wanted to cut him completely before the start of last season.

 

[Natebishop3]

You and just about everyone else on this forum wanted to cut him completely before the start of last season.

And at this point, I don't think he'll be worth the contract he'll ultimately get this summer.

 

[BBert]

I liked what I saw from Meyers in his first game back from his injury. Especially his passing -- his form and delivery literally reminded me of Sabonis (light). And I have never bashed him. You can look it up.

Meyers is still a ways away, but I still think he is going to get there. I also like the way he is starting to carry himself on the court, with more confidence (more sure of himself without having to think about it) and less like a lost puppy.

 

[BBert]

And at this point, I don't think he'll be worth the contract he'll ultimately get this summer.

But will he be worth it the following summer?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

To me, what gets a young guy benched the quickest is not playing D and turning the ball over. Those two areas are what made Ha a joke and Vonleh isn't spectacular of course (he is still learning) but those areas he kills it in (in a good way) vs another bust. They aren't comparable imo.

 

[Strenuus]

I'd be okay trading Meyers. I don't see him being either a Joel Pryzbilla type or even better than a prime Hawes or Okur?

I'm just not that excited about him, never really have been.

 

[Strenuus]

To me, what gets a young guy benched the quickest is not playing D and turning the ball over. Those two areas are what made Ha a joke and Vonleh isn't spectacular of course (he is still learning) but those areas he kills it in (in a good way) vs another bust. They aren't comparable imo.

Vonleh will be fine. In 2 years, he could be really good, but he's got a LONG way to go... that's just a fact.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Vonleh will be fine. In 2 years, he could be really good, but he's got a LONG way to go... that's just a fact.

Agreed on both counts.

 

[Blazinaway]

Nearly, 20 games in.

The only guys here I see as potential starters are Plums and maybe Meyers. You think any of these guys will turn into stars? Or build up enough value to draw a star in trade?

I don't see Meyers as a potential starter, decent backup proably

 

[HailBlazers]

I don't see Meyers as a potential starter, decent backup proably

CHA, Legend is the next Dirk.

 

[TBpup]

I don't see Meyers as a potential starter, decent backup proably

My concern with Meyers was out in full force against the Clippers. They went small and Paul Pierce was guarding Meyers.....and he did nothing or couldn't do anything to take advantage of that huge mismatch. Meyers has to be able to abuse smaller players on the block so that they are forced to guard him with a bigger player thereby making his outside shooting an advantage.

 

[blue9]

My concern with Meyers was out in full force against the Clippers. They went small and Paul Pierce was guarding Meyers.....and he did nothing or couldn't do anything to take advantage of that huge mismatch. Meyers has to be able to abuse smaller players on the block so that they are forced to guard him with a bigger player thereby making his outside shooting an advantage.

Coaching. The coaches have to develop that part of his game, and then put him on the floor and tell him to work the post, and then live with the results. It won't be pretty, but it will be beneficial.

I would love nothing more than to use this season to develop in areas where we're weak. But aside from giving guys PT it doesn't really look like Terry is trying to develop anyone other than CJ and Aminu...and Aminu, I fear, is a lost cause. Terry is at least giving guys minutes and letting them make mistakes, but I haven't noticed a concerted effort to develop specific skills. Instead it appears that he's just told everyone they have the green light to shoot whenever they want.

 

[PCmor7]

Nobody is intentionally losing. Nobody is rooting for us to intentionally lose. Straw. Man.

^ This.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The Spurs drafted Duncan.

The Cavs (originally) drafted LeBron.

The Sonics drafted Durant and Westbrook.

The Heat drafted Wade.

It goes on and on. How else do you see us getting another star to go with Dame?

Of those four, only two have won rings, so:

The Heat signed Shaq, then signed LeBron and Bosh.

The Spurs drafted Elliot, Duncan, and Robinson, but they signed Elie, Avery Johnson, Antonio Daniels, Malik Rose, Steve Kerr, and Jerome Kersey. SAS is the unicorn here, the college system in a pro world.

 

[riverman]

This fucking team?! Vs. the Warriors, vs. the Spurs!?!?!?




















AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Yeah.... I think we can win a few playoff games in a series..will we contend for a title...no...We'll be better in March than November though and the Spurs and Warriors could be injured or fatigued by the spring...stranger things have happened but I'm still cheerin' for the good guys. Way to milk the spacebar!

 

[PCmor7]

I would love nothing more than to use this season to develop in areas where we're weak. But aside from giving guys PT it doesn't really look like Terry is trying to develop anyone other than CJ and Aminu...and Aminu, I fear, is a lost cause. Terry is at least giving guys minutes and letting them make mistakes, but I haven't noticed a concerted effort to develop specific skills. Instead it appears that he's just told everyone they have the green light to shoot whenever they want.

I think it's far too early to tell with that. Unless you are coaching elementary-school kids with no skills whatsoever, you don't see significant changes in their ability in a month. Give it time. Some of these guys might not ever get it. Some of them might be a lot better at the start of next season.

 

[riverman]

Paul Pierce is a smart player...to compare him to a rusty Meyers just coming back into playing again is a stretch..Pierce has shut down some allstars in his day

 

[Blazers Roy]

The Spurs drafted Duncan.

The Cavs (originally) drafted LeBron.

The Sonics drafted Durant and Westbrook.

The Heat drafted Wade.

It goes on and on. How else do you see us getting another star to go with Dame?

The Wizards drafted Kwame.

The Clippers drafted Michael Olowokandi

The Cavs drafted Anthony Bennett

The Blazers drafted Greg Olden

It goes on and on. How else do you see us wasting more of Dame's prime?

 

[riverman]

Spurs have a roster filled with guys they didn't draft

 

[TBpup]

Spurs have a roster filled with guys they didn't draft

Their core is all Draft acquired except Aldridge. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and Leonard (Draft day trade) so that example seems to be perhaps not the greatest.

 

[riverman]

Their core is all Draft acquired except Aldridge. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili and Leonard (Draft day trade) so that example seems to be perhaps not the greatest.

Patty Mills, Kawai Leonard, Boris Diaw, David West...it's a long list of guys that weren't drafted there

 

[riverman]

That being said, if they stay healthy I think they win a championship this season.