So WTF is going on with Leonard?

[illmatic99]

We all know his deficiencies on D. But even the things he is supposed to do well, he's been shit. Didn't realize how truly awful he's been until I looked at the stats.

Averaging 4.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg in 23 mpg in his last 5 games. But the worst part: 32% FG, 17% from 3, and only 1-2 FT, and 1 whole block in 5 games total. Dude seems so mentally fragile after losing his starting spot and not getting an extension, it's alarming.

Someone on radio this morning mentioned that the departure of Kim Hughes might have to do with his regression this season, but if it's truly that, then we might be wasting our time with him.

Reminds me a bit of Martell with how much he gets into his head.

 

[blue9]

He's certainly been the biggest disappointment so far this season. It's a shame, because he has some very specific skills that would be incredibly useful and valuable.

 

[Natebishop3]

We all know his deficiencies on D. But even the things he is supposed to do well, he's been shit. Didn't realize how truly awful he's been until I looked at the stats.

Averaging 4.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg in 23 mpg in his last 5 games. But the worst part: 32% FG, 17% from 3, and only 1-2 FT, and 1 whole block in 5 games total. Dude seems so mentally fragile after losing his starting spot and not getting an extension, it's alarming.

Someone on radio this morning mentioned that the departure of Kim Hughes might have to do with his regression this season, but if it's truly that, then we might be wasting our time with him.

Reminds me a bit of Martell with how much he gets into his head.

The guy is just too goofy. He doesn't have the right disposition to play in the NBA.

 

[Natebishop3]

We all know his deficiencies on D. But even the things he is supposed to do well, he's been shit. Didn't realize how truly awful he's been until I looked at the stats.

Averaging 4.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg in 23 mpg in his last 5 games. But the worst part: 32% FG, 17% from 3, and only 1-2 FT, and 1 whole block in 5 games total. Dude seems so mentally fragile after losing his starting spot and not getting an extension, it's alarming.

Someone on radio this morning mentioned that the departure of Kim Hughes might have to do with his regression this season, but if it's truly that, then we might be wasting our time with him.

Reminds me a bit of Martell with how much he gets into his head.

The guy is just too goofy. He doesn't have the right disposition to play in the NBA.

 

[illmatic99]

He's certainly been the biggest disappointment so far this season. It's a shame, because he has some very specific skills that would be incredibly useful and valuable.

He could shoot and has nice touch. That's it. I think we vastly overestimated his improvement and impact.

A poor man's Channing Frye is more like it. Jon Leuer and Teletovic seem better.

 

[blue9]

He could shoot and has nice touch. That's it.

Not true. He's also a great passer, and has made the best outlet passes I've seen a Blazer make since Sabonis. He's shown decent ability to guard Cs. And he can grab defensive rebounds. He also has a great touch around the basket. If he could stitch all of those things together he'd be one hell of a C. One thing is certain - he's NOT a PF. Stotts is an idiot.

 

[illmatic99]

The guy is just too goofy. He doesn't have the right disposition to play in the NBA.

Perfect opportunity this year. Had essentially 0 competition. I would be okay if he tried to at least play harder and go all out even with the missed shots, but he brings NOTHING else.

Look at what Dame did when he had his bad shooting games. Usually put up huge assist or rebounding numbers to compensate. None of that from Meyers.

 

[Sinobas]

No more excuses. He's in his 4th year in the league. Neil dodged yet another bullet when Meyers declined to sign the extension.

My take on him, is that he's one of those guys that is trying to hard to not make mistakes, he looks like he's over-thinking. He also seems to shy away from contact inside.

 

[illmatic99]

Not true. He's also a great passer, and has made the best outlet passes I've seen a Blazer make since Sabonis. He's shown decent ability to guard Cs. And he can grab defensive rebounds. He also has a great touch around the basket. If he could stitch all of those things together he'd be one hell of a C. One thing is certain - he's NOT a PF. Stotts is an idiot.

Let's not overstate what he did with Gasol in the playoffs. Guys repeatedly target him this season because they know they can score over him. A 7'1 player who has had a total of 8 blocks in 546 minutes this season. That is pathetic. And how many classic, back to the basket Cs are left in the NBA anyway?

Stotts excuse seems like a copout for me. He's had plenty of opportunity. He has done nothing to leave Plums/Davis off the floor who are both far superior players.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Bring back Kim Hughes!

 

[Orion Bailey]

Not true. He's also a great passer, and has made the best outlet passes I've seen a Blazer make since Sabonis. He's shown decent ability to guard Cs. And he can grab defensive rebounds. He also has a great touch around the basket. If he could stitch all of those things together he'd be one hell of a C. One thing is certain - he's NOT a PF. Stotts is an idiot.

Plums has been our best big man passer hands down.

 

[blue9]

Stotts excuse seems like a copout for me. He's had plenty of opportunity. He has done nothing to leave Plums/Davis off the floor who are both far superior players.

How is it a cop out when he's been played out of position for the entire season? Maybe he'd still suck playing C, but we don't know because he's been played exclusively at PF.

We have three options for the front court:

Center/Power Forward
Plumlee/Vonleh
Leonard/Davis
Leonard/Vonleh
Leonard/Plumlee

At least Stotts finally got this partially right...but he's playing both Meyers and Ed out of position in the 2nd unit. Given that this season is about development and seeing what works we need to see what a starting unit with Leonard/Davis looks like with Leonard at C and Davis at PF.

 

[Sinobas]

I'm afraid that Meyers is going to suck all year, then get hot over the last 5 games and sucker Neil into giving him a big contract.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I'm afraid that Meyers is going to suck all year, then get hot over the last 5 games and sucker Neil into giving him a big contract.

I think your right about Meyers... Wrong about NO.

 

[Sinobas]

Why do some of you guys say Meyers is better at center? His interior defense? His ability to score in the paint?

 

[blue9]

Plums has been our best big man passer hands down.

Apropos of nothing, but agreed.

 

[illmatic99]

How is it a cop out when he's been played out of position for the entire season? Maybe he'd still suck playing C, but we don't know because he's been played exclusively at PF.

We have three options for the front court:

Center/Power Forward
Plumlee/Vonleh
Leonard/Davis
Leonard/Vonleh
Leonard/Plumlee

At least Stotts finally got this partially right...but he's playing both Meyers and Ed out of position in the 2nd unit. Given that this season is about development and seeing what works we need to see what a starting unit with Leonard/Davis looks like with Leonard at C and Davis at PF.

I'm confused about what you think Leonard will do at C vs at PF when he's playing with the same frontcourt guy next to him in Davis or Plums. Regardless of what position he plays, he will occupy the same spots on the floor. C or PF is just semantics at this point. These positions don't define skills-- the players do that themselves.

 

[Sinobas]

Meyers was absolute garbage at center, and only started earning more playing time when they realized he could do some good things as a spot up shooter. But when he's not making a high percentage of his shots, he's garbage.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Why do some of you guys say Meyers is better at center? His interior defense? His ability to score in the paint?

I'm confused about what you think Leonard will do at C vs at PF when he's playing with the same frontcourt guy next to him in Davis or Plums. Regardless of what position he plays, he will occupy the same spots on the floor. C or PF is just semantics at this point. These positions don't define skills-- the players do that themselves.

Me too. I think Meyers would be way wors at C. He has shown nothing to say he would play better. His game is of a perimeter game on offense. He doesnt dunk, has no leaping ability. He would suck as a constant in the paint. More so than he is on the outside.

 

[Sinobas]

I hope you Meyers and C guys realize that this is not a video game, and what position we label him as has no bearing on what defender they put on him. You put a smaller quick guy on him, and he can smother him on the perimeter, but Meyers can't take anyone down low.

 

[blue9]

I'm confused about what you think Leonard will do at C vs at PF when he's playing with the same frontcourt guy next to him in Davis or Plums. Regardless of what position he plays, he will occupy the same spots on the floor. C or PF is just semantics at this point. These positions don't define skills-- the players do that themselves.

Perhaps on offense, but on defense position matters - Meyers CANNOT defend PFs. Also, by starting with Davis I think there's a decent chance that Meyers' offense comes back to him. Playing with Dame/CJ, rather than bench guys who don't draw any special defensive attention, may help him get back into the groove.

 

[Sinobas]

Me too. I think Meyers would be way wors at C. He has shown nothing to say he would play better. His game is of a perimeter game on offense. He doesnt dunk, has no leaping ability. He would suck as a constant in the paint. More so than he is on the outside.

He actually does have leaping ability, he just has paint-phobia. When guys come at him, he's like "eeewww, don't touch me, here, let me throw up this dainty little shot".

 

[Schilly]

He's been in a funk especially since he was hurt and has been out. People have been hypercritical of him since he was drafted. The reality of it is he at worst is a capable reserve. Hes not a defensive dynamo, got over it.

 

[Blazinaway]

Why do some of you guys say Meyers is better at center? His interior defense? His ability to score in the paint?

Meyers isn't better at anything except sucking

 

[Orion Bailey]

I hope you Meyers and C guys realize that this is not a video game, and what position we label him as has no bearing on what defender they put on him. You put a smaller quick guy on him, and he can smother him on the perimeter, but Meyers can't take anyone down low.

He actually does have leaping ability, he just has paint-phobia. When guys come at him, he's like "eeewww, don't touch me, here, let me throw up this dainty little shot".

And thats why he would suck at center. Position does matter when the other team is zeroing in on youre weaknessess. For example, put markeef Morris and Anthony Davis on the floor. Who is Meyers going to defend?> Regardless of position he would be stuck in the paint sucking.

 

[Sinobas]

He's been in a funk especially since he was hurt and has been out. People have been hypercritical of him since he was drafted. The reality of it is he at worst is a capable reserve. Hes not a defensive dynamo, got over it.

People want more out of a lottery pick. He really regressed his 2nd year in the league. He always had this "oh oh, what's happening? People are driving at me, what do I do?" His 3rd year, his defense was respectable and his shooting percentages were off the charts. But that was in fairly limited time, and the guy would only shoot it when he was wide open. And teams didn't know he was a good shooter, because he was dared to shoot it quite often.

Now it's no surprise and he can't take the pressure.

 

[blue9]

And thats why he would suck at center. Position does matter when the other team is zeroing in on youre weaknessess. For example, put markeef Morris and Anthony Davis on the floor. Who is Meyers going to defend?> Regardless of position he would be stuck in the paint sucking.

Using one example out of 29 teams does not make a strong argument. There are always going to be teams that don't match up well. But Meyers is far more able to guard Cs than PFs. We have tangible evidence of this.
If you can play a guy in a position where he's going to be bad, or another position where he's going to be terrible, wouldn't you at least play him where he's going to be bad rather than terrible?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Reminds me a bit of Martell with how much he gets into his head.

Or Nic last year. And now we want him back..........

 

[Natebishop3]

Or Nic last year. And now we want him back..........

I don't want him back. Dude is gonna get maxed.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Using one example out of 29 teams does not make a strong argument. There are always going to be teams that don't match up well. But Meyers is far more able to guard Cs than PFs. We have tangible evidence of this.
If you can play a guy in a position where he's going to be bad, or another position where he's going to be terrible, wouldn't you at least play him where he's going to be bad rather than terrible?

Fair enough.