The OFFICIAL MEDIA DAY THREAD (1 Viewer)

[blue32]

Believe it when I see it. Realistically, her only needs to get to a Robin Lopez level jumper.

Agreed. We hear about this shit every year. Rarely do we see significant change. Fingers crossed though.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't want to stir people up about race, but didn't it seem like everyone was asked about Meyers?

Why does that have to be race-related rather than "untapped potential of a supposed unicorn" related? I mean, were people asked about Layman, Connaughton, and Plumlee?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Why does that have to be race-related rather than "untapped potential of a supposed unicorn" related? I mean, were people asked about Layman, Connaughton, and Plumlee?

It doesn't have to be about race (and I hope it isn't), but ML hasn't done anything to warrant it. Crabbe also has "untapped potential of a supposed unicorn," but isn't getting the same attention.

 

[blue32]

It doesn't have to be about race (and I hope it isn't), but ML hasn't done anything to warrant it. Crabbe also has "untapped potential of a supposed unicorn," but isn't getting the same attention.

? He got a contract didn't he?

 

[tester551]

It doesn't have to be about race (and I hope it isn't), but ML hasn't done anything to warrant it. Crabbe also has "untapped potential of a supposed unicorn," but isn't getting the same attention.

I disagree with that. Crabbe doesn't have the combo of size and athleticism where he shows glimpse of "potential" that Meyers has.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I disagree with that. Crabbe doesn't have the combo of size and athleticism where he shows glimpse of "potential" that Meyers has.

Exactly. Meyers is the biggest guy on the team, possibly the strongest, and arguably the best pure shooter. The impact that would have on the team as a whole if he were able to actually play basketball effectively would be immense. That's why people ask about Meyers--because if he ever put it all together, that development in and of itself would make this team a championship contender, and I don't think we have anyone else you can say that about.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Exactly. Meyers is the biggest guy on the team, possibly the strongest, and arguably the best pure shooter. The impact that would have on the team as a whole if he were able to actually play basketball effectively would be immense. That's why people ask about Meyers--because if he ever put it all together, that development in and of itself would make this team a championship contender, and I don't think we have anyone else you can say that about.

He's also the slowest of foot, panicky player we have who is 7-1 but doesn't protect the rim. I hope you are right, that it is possible for him to "put it all together." But, until he shows more, the extra attention is unwarranted. Moe's physical abilities are off the charts. To me, he is the more intriguing player.

 

[blue32]

He's also the slowest of foot, panicky player we have who is 7-1 but doesn't protect the rim. I hope you are right, that it is possible for him to "put it all together." But, until he shows more, the extra attention is unwarranted. Moe's physical abilities are off the charts. To me, he is the more intriguing player.

I am definitely not impressed with the Biebs. At least not yet. Maybe he'll turn into Joel Pryzbilla version 2.0 or something, but it better come quick.

 

[riverman]

He's also the slowest of foot

Meyers is not slow...he's been hesitant and lacks good footwork in the paint but he's 7'1 and can actually run full court and finish a fast break...I think he covers a lot of ground in the open court. He doesn't have quickness but he has speed and a really long stride running the court..his biggest challenge is decision making in traffic

 

[PtldPlatypus]

He's also the slowest of foot, panicky player we have who is 7-1 but doesn't protect the rim. I hope you are right, that it is possible for him to "put it all together." But, until he shows more, the extra attention is unwarranted. Moe's physical abilities are off the charts. To me, he is the more intriguing player.

The thing is, I'm not even saying that it is possible for him to put it all together, just speculating as to what it would mean for our team if he ever did. I agree that I have a lot more hope/expectation in Moe's production this year than in MyLe's, but I disagree that the attention to Meyers is unwarranted.

 

[illmatic99]

He's also the slowest of foot, panicky player we have who is 7-1 but doesn't protect the rim. I hope you are right, that it is possible for him to "put it all together." But, until he shows more, the extra attention is unwarranted. Moe's physical abilities are off the charts. To me, he is the more intriguing player.

Is it sad that my ceiling for Meyers is Channing Frye? And I think Charmin is much more nimble.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Is it sad that my ceiling for Meyers is Channing Frye? And I think Charmin is much more nimble.

I don't think it is that sad. Frye was a big part of Cleveland's run in the playoffs last year.

I agree Frye is more nimble than Meyers, but I think Meyers is more willing to bang down low than Frye. They are not exactly the same type of player, but I would be OK with that ceiling.

What I really want, and I know it won't happen, is for us to pay about as much attention to him as we do Ed Davis. The dude is too much of a lightning rod. He is a role player and should get the same attention as the other role players. I could care less if he is a "lottery pick", we have about 9 lottery picks on the team. I think we would all be happier if he flew a little more under the radar.

 

[illmatic99]

I don't think it is that sad. Frye was a big part of Cleveland's run in the playoffs last year.

I agree Frye is more nimble than Meyers, but I think Meyers is more willing to bang down low than Frye. They are not exactly the same type of player, but I would be OK with that ceiling.

What I really want, and I know it won't happen, is for us to pay about as much attention to him as we do Ed Davis. The dude is too much of a lightning rod. He is a role player and should get the same attention as the other role players. I could care less if he is a "lottery pick", we have about 9 lottery pick on the team. I think we would all be happier if he flew a little more under the radar.

Well he's being paid like an average role player now, so those expectations and that attention should drop.

 

[Boob-No-More]

It doesn't have to be about race (and I hope it isn't), but ML hasn't done anything to warrant it. Crabbe also has "untapped potential of a supposed unicorn," but isn't getting the same attention.

I don't think you understand the use of the term unicorn in this context. A unicorn is a mythical creature, something that is rarely, if ever, seen. In that context, Allen Crabbe is the furthest thing in the NBA from a unicorn. As a 6'6" wing, he is the prototypical NBA 3 and D player. They are all the rage these days. It seems like every team (except BRK) has at least one, many teams have two, some teams even three. It seems the current recipe for success in today's NBA is a scoring PG paired with a 3 and D player at the SG and/or SF positions. In fact, that was exactly what we had with Wes and Nic the season before last.

That doesn't mean Crabbe isn't good. It doesn't mean he's not valuable. It just means he's not rare. He's not a potential unicorn.

How many teams have a guy 7'1" who is an elite level 3-point shooter that's big enough to effectively guard, and frustrate the shit out of, DaMarcus Cousins? Can you name one other player like that in the entire league? And by elite level 3-point shooter, I mean > .400 3FG%.

Of course, the reason Meyers is referred to as a potential unicorn is he has other holes in his game, but it's the potential to be something unique that gets people talking about him.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

He's also the slowest of foot, panicky player we have who is 7-1 but doesn't protect the rim. I hope you are right, that it is possible for him to "put it all together." But, until he shows more, the extra attention is unwarranted. Moe's physical abilities are off the charts. To me, he is the more intriguing player.

Define "protect the rim". There's a lot more to effective defense than blocking a lot of shots. In fact, some guys that block a lot of shots are actually really shitty defenders (JaVale McGee).

This article is almost a year old, but I find this quote interesting:

"Leonard averaged only 0.64 Blocks per 100 Chances, ranking him on the level of an athletic guard (John Wall and Eric Bledsoe averaged 0.65 Blocks per 100 Chances), but he posted an Opponent Inside Shot% of 43.5, the 8th-best mark among 76 qualified centers."

So, he doesn't block many shots, but his size still bothers opponents in the paint.

Meyers led the Big 10 in blocked shots his final year at Illinois. His rookie year with the Blazers, he tried to block everything (he had more BLKs as a rookie than in the next three seasons combined), but like the JaVale McGees of the world, that often left him totally out of position on defense. The coaching staff obviously worked on keeping him on his feet and holding his position, which has actually made him a better defender than he was as a rookie.

In that game where Meyers frustrated Cousins, he didn't block a single shot, but he held Cousins to 4-21 from the field. Keep in mind Cousins came into that game looking like the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain. He had scored 48 and 56 on .644 FG% in his previous two games and then Meyers held him to 4-21, .190 FG%. I don't think anyone saw that coming, but at the end of the day, I'd much rather have that kind of interior defense than someone who blocks a lot of shots.

BNM

 

[Rastapopoulos]

In that game where Meyers frustrated Cousins, he didn't block a single shot, but he held Cousins to 4-21 from the field. Keep in mind Cousins came into that game looking like the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain. He had scored 48 and 56 on .644 FG% in his previous two games and then Meyers held him to 4-21, .190 FG%. I don't think anyone saw that coming, but at the end of the day, I'd much rather have that kind of interior defense than someone who blocks a lot of shots.

I have much more faith in Leonard's low-post defense than I do his "protecting the rim". Trouble is, the former is much less useful in today's NBA. When there was Robinson, Olajuwon, Ewing and Shaq (not to mention Barkley and Malone) you really needed low post D. Now you need people like Joakim Noah, who would've been pretty useless against Shaq, but who defends everybody OTHER than the other team's center. That requires a lot more defensive IQ and fleetness-of-foot than just standing between the biggest guy on the floor and the hoop.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I have much more faith in Leonard's low-post defense than I do his "protecting the rim". Trouble is, the former is much less useful in today's NBA. When there was Robinson, Olajuwon, Ewing and Shaq (not to mention Barkley and Malone) you really needed low post D. Now you need people like Joakim Noah, who would've been pretty useless against Shaq, but who defends everybody OTHER than the other team's center. That requires a lot more defensive IQ and fleetness-of-foot than just standing between the biggest guy on the floor and the hoop.

That is a pretty good point. I have not thought about it exactly that way.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Meyers is not slow...he's been hesitant and lacks good footwork in the paint but he's 7'1 and can actually run full court and finish a fast break...I think he covers a lot of ground in the open court. He doesn't have quickness but he has speed and a really long stride running the court..his biggest challenge is decision making in traffic

I'm talking moving his feet on defense, which has been mentioned by a significant number of posters here.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I'm talking moving his feet on defense, which has been mentioned by a significant number of posters here.

@riverman

Meyers can run fast, but I also think he is slow in the side to side movement, which is intrical to being a good defender anywhere outside of 5 feet from the hoop and even then is needed at times underthe hoop.

Meyers has a decent sprint for his size. Its his lateral movement that ive never been impressed with.

But It doesnt matter. He will fix that this year and win MIP!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

ok, got it. You're right I didn't understand the use of the term unicorn in this context.

I don't think you understand the use of the term unicorn in this context. A unicorn is a mythical creature, something that is rarely, if ever, seen. In that context, Allen Crabbe is the furthest thing in the NBA from a unicorn. As a 6'6" wing, he is the prototypical NBA 3 and D player. They are all the rage these days. It seems like every team (except BRK) has at least one, many teams have two, some teams even three. It seems the current recipe for success in today's NBA is a scoring PG paired with a 3 and D player at the SG and/or SF positions. In fact, that was exactly what we had with Wes and Nic the season before last.

That doesn't mean Crabbe isn't good. It doesn't mean he's not valuable. It just means he's not rare. He's not a potential unicorn.

How many teams have a guy 7'1" who is an elite level 3-point shooter that's big enough to effectively guard, and frustrate the shit out of, DaMarcus Cousins? Can you name one other player like that in the entire league? And by elite level 3-point shooter, I mean > .400 3FG%.

Of course, the reason Meyers is referred to as a potential unicorn is he has other holes in his game, but it's the potential to be something unique that gets people talking about him.

BNM

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Serious question:
Do each of you consider ML as our CotF?

 

[Orion Bailey]

Serious question:
Do each of you consider ML as our CotF?

I do

 

[BBert]

They were asked about Meyers because he's the biggest question mark on the team. He was a lottery pick. He's shown high level skills in some areas, and deficiencies in others. If he can put it all together, he'll be an impact player. Also, he's coming back from an injury, so that's always a question mark. He just signed a shiny new contract. It's boom or bust time. The media should be asking about the Curious Case of Meyers Leonard. I for one am very curious about how Meyers is going to perform this season.

 

[Spud147]

Any news on Kaman? Big man coach?

 

[Spud147]

Based on the reports and rumors and comments , I don't see how we aren't a contender now.

I like your style O!

 

[Spud147]

In that game where Meyers frustrated Cousins, he didn't block a single shot, but he held Cousins to 4-21 from the field. Keep in mind Cousins came into that game looking like the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain. He had scored 48 and 56 on .644 FG% in his previous two games and then Meyers held him to 4-21, .190 FG%. I don't think anyone saw that coming, but at the end of the day, I'd much rather have that kind of interior defense than someone who blocks a lot of shots.

BNM

This, I think we really missed him in the play offs.

 

[Boob-No-More]

This, I think we really missed him in the play offs.

Agreed. He would have drawn both Jordan and Bogut out of the paint making it easier for Dame and C.J. to drive and finish at the rim. With the way defenses were focused on shutting down Dame and C.J. and daring someone else to beat them, it would have been nice to have another shooter on the floor.

BNM

 

[andalusian]

Any news on Kaman? Big man coach?

Sasquatch at Large

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Sasquatch at Large

I'm assuming he became a bounty hunter...

 

[riverman]

can we swap Blaze for the Caveman and let him throw Robin Lopez around after games against the bulls?