Notice The Meyers Leonard block watch

[kjironman1]

His rookie year he was definitely blocking shots and dunking. He had 38 BLKs and 53 dunks as a rookie. Something he hasn't come close to since. His natural instincts as a rookie were to block shots and dunk the ball.

I'm not really sure what happened Meyer's second season. He was rebounding and passing better but he seemed to lose all confidence in his shooting ability. And let's face it, a Meyers who can't shoot is beyond useless. So, his minutes were cut to basically garbage time.

And no, the coaches didn't force him into anything. That wasn't my point. Prior to his 4th season, he'd played almost exclusively at center:

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Even in the MEM series, when he shot 10-13 from 3-point range, he was still playing center. It wasn't until after the MEM series, and after Aldridge left that the coaches started playing him at PF. Go back and look at the game logs for the beginning of his fourth season. He was starting at PF with Plumlee starting at center. He was HORRIBLE in that role. Couldn't shoot for shit and wasn't doing anything else of value. Again, my point was that Meyers doesn't multitask well. Make him a stretch 4/spot up shooter and he seems to forget about doing anything else.

Move him back to center and he starts doing center things. Yeah the blocks are still weak, but I like what we are getting from him this year. His TS% was great last year in limited minutes and continues to be outstanding, but his biggest improvements have come on defense and rebounding. His TRB% and ORB% are both at career highs (and actually above average for an NBA big man). His DWS/48 and DBPM are both positive and career highs. He lacks the instincts to be a great defender, but as long as he's not a negative defender, which he has not been so far this season, it doesn't kill you to have him on the floor, especially given his passing and shooting ability at the other end.


Again, my whole point wasn't about what Meyers wanted or the coaches forcing him to do certain things. My point was that Meyers has struggled to multi-task in the past, but is doing a much better job contributing in multiple ways this season.

BNM

I can tell you what happened. It was a shoulder injury. One that eventually pretty much had him playing timid for a full season. People forget he basically lost a year.

 

[kjironman1]

This is what happened to Meyers blocking shots.

https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest...leonard-will-have-surgery-shoulder-out-season

 

[Boob-No-More]

This is what happened to Meyers blocking shots.

https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest...leonard-will-have-surgery-shoulder-out-season

Except that was 2016. He stopped blocking shots (for all practical purposes) in 2013-14 and actually had his highest block total since his rookie season in 2016-17, the year after his season ending shoulder injury in March of 2016. The injury definitely impacted his play temporarily, but he recovered just fine and blocked 28 shots the following season, compared to 0 last year.

BNM

 

[BBert]

I can tell you what happened. It was a shoulder injury. One that eventually pretty much had him playing timid for a full season. People forget he basically lost a year.

IIRC, he injured it, came back, and injured again. He was clearly worried about getting hurt a third time. Before that, he was routinely wrestling guys to the floor and taking shots to the head, LOL.

 

[Scalma]

He’s just never had any defensive instincts, at least not from what I can remember. But this is more about his offense, and I never saw anything that would’ve led me to believe he could develop into a post presence. Rookie season he seemed like a good rim runner, but as far as half court? Naw, coaches made the right decision.

And I don’t think anyone is doubting his ability to shoot set shots. Even his biggest haters should be able to admit the guy can shoot. Out of everything, it’s the one thing he can do well, so I’m not going to hold it against the coaches for trying to maximize that.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I was actually happy when he entered the game last night. But then Doc countered by taking out Boban. Regardless he is rebounding better and he also does well at batting some offensive rebounds back. I know some fans hate when he does that, but I hate it when opposing players do it against us.

 

[swish3]

We can agree that Meyers is best used in the center position, and playing together with Zach and Jake (or Nik) at forwards, poses a high scoring potency. His defense is greatly improved this year, and he is setting effective screens and getting some excellent assists.

What I would like to see are at least 6 swish3 attempts by this talented player who can shoot 50, 60, or even 70% of the 3 point goals per game. The additional 9-15 points that he can be scoring each game will be enough to get the Blazers to the WCF, and maybe the NBA Championship.

Nurk seems to be at his optimum when he plays 22-24 min per game. Meyers can add the powerful swish3 scoring alternating with Nurk if Meyers is playing 18-22 min. Keeping the defense active and determined, and adding the 3 point scoring accuracy do improve this team. The Blazer bench can be the winning factor if we keep this development going.

 

[Strenuus]

We can agree that Meyers is best used in the center position, and playing together with Zach and Jake (or Nik) at forwards, poses a high scoring potency. His defense is greatly improved this year, and he is setting effective screens and getting some excellent assists.

What I would like to see are at least 6 swish3 attempts by this talented player who can shoot 50, 60, or even 70% of the 3 point goals per game. The additional 9-15 points that he can be scoring each game will be enough to get the Blazers to the WCF, and maybe the NBA Championship.

Nurk seems to be at his optimum when he plays 22-24 min per game. Meyers can add the powerful swish3 scoring alternating with Nurk if Meyers is playing 18-22 min. Keeping the defense active and determined, and adding the 3 point scoring accuracy do improve this team. The Blazer bench can be the winning factor if we keep this development going.

PURE.

ENTERTAINMENT.

 

[Pinwheel1]

What I would like to see are at least 6 swish3 attempts by this talented player who can shoot 50, 60, or even 70% of the 3 point goals per game. The additional 9-15 points that he can be scoring each game will be enough to get the Blazers to the WCF, and maybe the NBA Championship.

.

No I don't think that is wise. Let him focus on other things. Putting him out there to shoot a high volume of 3's is what screwed him up in the past. He needs confidence and if that confidence is only based on 3 point shooting you are setting him up for failure....in the eyes of the fans. Let him get warmed up when he comes off the bench. Take a shot close to the hoop, then maybe a mid range shot..... and then maybe a couple of 3's.

 

[Boob-No-More]

No I don't think that is wise. Let him focus on other things. Putting him out there to shoot a high volume of 3's is what screwed him up in the past. He needs confidence and if that confidence is only based on 3 point shooting you are setting him up for failure....in the eyes of the fans. Let him get warmed up when he comes off the bench. Take a shot close to the hoop, then maybe a mid range shot..... and then maybe a couple of 3's.

So far this season, Meyers has made exactly the same number of dunk2s as swish3s. I think that is a good ratio and would like to see it maintained. Hopefully that will be sufficient to get the Blazers to the WCF, and maybe the NBA Championship.

BNM

 

[Lanny]

In his last 296 minutes played, Meyers has yet to block a single shot.

The next time he records a block ought to warrant a parade down Broadway.

Again:
296 minutes
ZERO blocks

He blocked a shot in the game against the Clippers.
He's actually started to look better and better.
He's still entirely too reticent to take a shot when open. He only shoots when everybody is 20 feet away.
I do like the way he is rebounding and shooting free throws.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Maybe if he starts shooting from the h3lf court line, he’ll be wide open since centers usually don’t get picked up by defenders at the h3lf court line.

If he can make 40% of his h3lf court shots and takes 10 per game, we will be on the road to success. The h3lf court line is the new frontier.

 

[kjironman1]

Maybe if he starts shooting from the h3lf court line, he’ll be wide open since centers usually don’t get picked up by defenders at the h3lf court line.

If he can make 40% of his h3lf court shots and takes 10 per game, we will be on the road to success. The h3lf court line is the new frontier.

They need a Swish4 shot!