The Curious Case of Meyers Leonard

[Shooter]

Ever noticed Leonard's expression after he makes a basket or does something good on the court? He gets this kind of dreamy expression on his face, as if he's just wandered into a field of daisies and can't believe how beautiful it is. He seems to be looking down at the floor, or off at some unknown object in the distance, as if for a moment he doesn't know where he is. It's almost as if he's having an out-of-body experience, and nothing is quite real to him.

It's a very strange thing. Perhaps he hates the attention he has drawn by making a good play, or perhaps he is basking in the glow of the moment. It's hard to tell. But it does seem that he is very focused on what HE is doing and how it's going to look, rather than on what the team is doing.

I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks about this. I'm genuinely puzzled by Leonard's demeanor, and I'm trying to figure out what makes him tick.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Ever noticed Leonard's expression after he makes a basket or does something good on the court? He gets this kind of dreamy expression on his face, as if he's just wandered into a field of daisies and can't believe how beautiful it is. He seems to be looking down at the floor, or off at some unknown object in the distance, as if for a moment he doesn't know where he is. It's almost as if he's having an out-of-body experience, and nothing is quite real to him.

It's a very strange thing. Perhaps he hates the attention he has drawn by making a good play, or perhaps he is basking in the glow of the moment. It's hard to tell. But it does seem that he is very focused on what HE is doing and how it's going to look, rather than on what the team is doing.

I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks about this. I'm genuinely puzzled by Leonard's demeanor, and I'm trying to figure out what makes him tick.

His own college coach called him extremely immature, so I imagine he either has a case of adhd, which can come across as that in certain ways, or he is simply basking in his accomplishment like someone who is immature.

 

[Eastoff]

His own college coach called him extremely immature, so I imagine he either has a case of adhd, which can come across as that in certain ways, or he is simply basking in his accomplishment like someone who is immature.

Do you guys remember his first monster dunk in garbage minutes, he stopped to flex. I'm thinking he's just not an adult mindset. His dad died when he was under 6 or so, and he was raised by his brother 2 years older than him, and his mom. I cut him some slack on that kind of stuff.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Well, my working theory is one that I read here on these message boards. Instead of playing good or even mediocre fundamental basketball he's going for low percentage plays where he soars in and dunks it. Kinda like a wide receiver who regardless of the play called runs the fly pattern. Of course when he actually catches one he's excited.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Maybe helping develop Leonard both physically and mentally for the NBA will be Lopez's biggest contribution to the team. Somehow I think those guys could develop a tight bond.

 

[Natebishop3]

The guy is a kid. I figure in five or six years, he'll be a mean and nasty old veteran.

 

[Shooter]

Maybe helping develop Leonard both physically and mentally for the NBA will be Lopez's biggest contribution to the team. Somehow I think those guys could develop a tight bond.

Great observation. I think Leonard really needs some help, and maybe Lopez is just the guy to provide it.

 

[Shooter]

His own college coach called him extremely immature, so I imagine he either has a case of adhd, which can come across as that in certain ways, or he is simply basking in his accomplishment like someone who is immature.

Interesting. I guess immaturity can come in lots of different forms, but I've never seen a player quite as "dreamy" on the court as Leonard. Perhaps it is a form of ADHD, as you say.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Interesting. I guess immaturity can come in lots of different forms, but I've never seen a player quite as "dreamy" on the court as Leonard. Perhaps it is a form of ADHD, as you say.

You probably aren't into the tweet scene, but Leonard tweets a lot of stuff about his personal life (with pictures). Might gain a little perspective seeing where he hangs out and what interests he has during this off time.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Ever noticed Leonard's expression after he makes a basket or does something good on the court? He gets this kind of dreamy expression on his face, as if he's just wandered into a field of daisies and can't believe how beautiful it is. He seems to be looking down at the floor, or off at some unknown object in the distance, as if for a moment he doesn't know where he is. It's almost as if he's having an out-of-body experience, and nothing is quite real to him.

It's a very strange thing. Perhaps he hates the attention he has drawn by making a good play, or perhaps he is basking in the glow of the moment. It's hard to tell. But it does seem that he is very focused on what HE is doing and how it's going to look, rather than on what the team is doing.

I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks about this. I'm genuinely puzzled by Leonard's demeanor, and I'm trying to figure out what makes him tick.

What I've noticed is that every time he takes any kind of contact, like a slight bump to the chops when he's fighting for position, he looks like he's about to cry. Hopefully, Lopez toughens him up a bit.

 

[Eastoff]

What I've noticed is that every time he takes any kind of contact, like a slight bump to the chops when he's fighting for position, he looks like he's about to cry. Hopefully, Lopez toughens him up a bit.

Yes, I saw him get a basketball to the face, and he had to stop what he was doing and check for blood. I don't blame him, I'm a wuss about that stuff though.

 

[blazedanugz]

its funny how this forum is a bunch of adult men trying to criticize a 21 year old kid. lets see what you would have done if you were making plays as a 20 year old in the NBA. give the kid a break, so tired of you guys on this topic its unreal...let the season start please.

 

[BlazerWookee]

its funny how this forum is a bunch of adult men trying to criticize a 21 year old kid. lets see what you would have done if you were making plays as a 20 year old in the NBA. give the kid a break, so tired of you guys on this topic its unreal...let the season start please.

Most of what I've read in this thread is more observation than criticism.

Just sayin'.

 

[Shooter]

Most of what I've read in this thread is more observation than criticism.

Exactly right. I'm certainly not making fun of Leonard. I like the kid. I'm just puzzled by the way he carries himself on the court.

 

[Carlito]

Blazednugz... How dare u speak out against the cult.

U in trouble

 

[The_Lillard_King]

its funny how this forum is a bunch of adult men trying to criticize a 21 year old kid. lets see what you would have done if you were making plays as a 20 year old in the NBA. give the kid a break, so tired of you guys on this topic its unreal...let the season start please.

21 years old and a career with a seven figure yearly salary . . . we have different definitions of "kid." He may think he is a kid, but society says he is an adult.

 

[MARIS61]

Ever noticed Leonard's expression after he makes a basket or does something good on the court? He gets this kind of dreamy expression on his face, as if he's just wandered into a field of daisies and can't believe how beautiful it is.

I get the same dreamy expression. Hope to get it a lot this season.

My guess is he is religious and just thanking god, or maybe he's thinking of a loved one who would be proud of him.

 

[blazedanugz]

21 years old and a career with a seven figure yearly salary . . . we have different definitions of "kid." He may think he is a kid, but society says he is an adult.

maturity comes with experience, not zeros in your bank account.

 

[jlprk]

Wide set, head down, slow-to-react

Leonard sets particularly strange and over-exaggerated screens when the play doesn’t call for him to slip. His knees are far too wide, putting him at high likelihood to be assessed a foul (as demonstrated in the video above). On a more personal note, I’ve seen this strategy before and usually when players do this they are trying to visually establish their screening position to a referee. Unfortunately, if a knee is stuck out, it’s a foul in the NBA, and that decision on the part of Leonard needs to stop. His head is usually down, part of the visual cue, but this is a major issue. It takes him out of the play offensively since he’s not up and looking around to move to space, roll to the hoop, or look for a quick pass...

Why Leonard’s screens don’t work

It’s the same thing Leonard thinks will help him in his screens: his wide-set feet. Leonard’s wide-set stance not only trips the defender he is attempting to screen, but his own offensive player. Blazer guards are having to swing wide around his knees and feet, and that creates a bit of space for the defender to try to slip through. This, of course, leads to Leonard trying to lean over and use his forearm to make up for his poor screening technique.

http://ayoungsabonis.com/playbook-meyers-leonard-pick-and-roll/

 

[Mediocre Man]

http://ayoungsabonis.com/playbook-meyers-leonard-pick-and-roll/

Been pointed out 100's of times by a few in here. I guess if a blog guy says it, it makes it fact though

 

[julius]

Been pointed out 100's of times by a few in here. I guess if a blog guy says it, it makes it fact though

those were some bad ass screens though.

Oops, forgot the comma.

those were some bad, ass screens, though.

 

[Blazinaway]

Maybe helping develop Leonard both physically and mentally for the NBA will be Lopez's biggest contribution to the team. Somehow I think those guys could develop a tight bond.

+1 on this, I think this is perhaps the best hope for him to develop as you said both "physically and especially mentally/emotionally"

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I wonder sometimes if guys like Meyers Leonard, and there have been many young center prospects like him, lack powers of observation or are unwilling to use them.

You would think that a guy with that kind of size and athleticism and apparent lack of basketball instincts would benefit from watching film of someone like Bill Walton. Maybe it would help him learn to set a screen and know where to be on defense.

 

[jlprk]

As he rubs his reddened face, his eyes almost in tears, lacking court awareness, I still hypothesize contact lens irritation inhibiting his eyeball rotation and peripheral vision.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Great observation. I think Leonard really needs some help, and maybe Lopez is just the guy to provide it.

+1 on Lopez helping out the kid

 

[BBert]

As he rubs his reddened face, his eyes almost in tears, lacking court awareness, I still hypothesize contact lens irritation inhibiting his eyeball rotation and peripheral vision.

If so he should try prescription goggles. Get some bad ass ones that make him look like a giant albino killer bee. Plus they'll protect his eyes.