Throw Meyers in the Fire?

[Mediocre Man]

Hickson's D is pretty bad, but Meyers looks really lost out there right now ... but that wouldn't keep me from playing Leonard big minutes.

Leonard does look lost, but Leonard is a rookie that will get better. Hickson has no excuse other than he sucks at defense

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The decision is really easy for me. The Blazers (no matter the outcome of the season) have holes to fill and one of those appears to be at center. If Leonard shows marked improvement, then their strategy going into the draft and/or free agency (and trades) is very different than if Leonard shows nothing or stays stuck to the bench.

I'm not saying you have to play him 35 minutes a game, but 25-30 seems like the kind of run that will help him get acclimated to the league without completely overwhelming him -- and finding out if he's a really long term project of if he might be closer than that.

Well said. Gradually bumping his minutes up from 16 to 24 a game by March, then giving him the starter's role in March and slowly bumping his minutes up from 24 to 32 would be optimal in my opinion.

 

[BBert]

It's funny, but I was thinking about this earlier this morning. But I was thinking of it in the context of after we trade Hickson, we will have to throw Leonard and Freeland and Babbitt into the fire, which is fine with me. Yeah, it will be painful at times, but it's necessary pain. Then I remembered we have a coach who likes to try to compete so we'd probably get a lot more of Jared Jeffries than anyone should have to suffer through. Anyway, even if Hickson isn't traded, I'd start Leonard and have Hickson get his usual minutes backing up both positions, but not until some time after the all star break.

 

[Mediocre Man]

There was a great line from a decent movie...

I can't fix it if I don't know what's broken. Heartbreak ridge

 

[Eastoff]

Leonard does look lost, but Leonard is a rookie that will get better. Hickson has no excuse other than he sucks at defense

I want to say his excuse is being short, but he doesn't seem to do much right besides boxing out.

 

[Hobbesarable]

I voted no, and although Hickson is not a member of my family we do hold hands.

It was close for me, but I said no because I think Leonard should be getting about 15min a game right now, and until he learns how to concentrate on rebounding better should remain on the bench. I think Meyers is the future center for the Blazers, and will be great at it, but right now he just makes too many mistakes and poor rotations. And what type of a message does it send to sit someone with as many double doubles as Hickson for a great dane puppy?

The message is probably related closely to the following link:

http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/2...-aldridge-wants-that-luxury-of-playing-with-a

 

[Hobbesarable]

Wow could I not disagree more. The Blazers feel Leonard is the C of the future, and Hickson is either the back up PF, traded at the deadling for something or left to simply walk player of the future. The message it sends is we are rebuilding and need to see what Meyers can do with the starters. Or our defense sucks ass and we need to see if Meyers can help that

That's right, our defense sucks ass! However, Meyers is one little cog of that machine. Perhaps a coaching change with the defense would be a good beginning. Getting the entire team to play defense is the key.

 

[BBert]

Can we trade Canales yet?

 

[Mediocre Man]

That's right, our defense sucks ass! However, Meyers is one little cog of that machine. Perhaps a coaching change with the defense would be a good beginning. Getting the entire team to play defense is the key.

Don't even get me started. Firing Caleb would be the first think I would do as GM

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Don't even get me started. Firing Caleb would be the first think I would do as GM

Kaleb is a great example of the adage that a lot of activity doesn't necessarily mean a lot of effort.

 

[blue9]

That's right, our defense sucks ass! However, Meyers is one little cog of that machine. Perhaps a coaching change with the defense would be a good beginning. Getting the entire team to play defense is the key.

BOOM!

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Might be the only way JJ agrees to be traded.

 

[mook]

Don't even get me started. Firing Caleb would be the first think I would do as GM

Even before the training staff? Caleb has sucked for only a year and a half. The onlslaught of injuries dates back years and years.

If I were GM I'd ax them first. "Let's see you try to rehabilitate your severed heads, assholes!"

Muahahahaha.

 

[RR7]

Voted yes. Sure, he looks lost at times, makes dumb mistakes, etc. But I think it helps rookies a ton to be able to play with a solid lineup of competent players. Had we decided to completely tank this season, traded Aldridge for scraps, and passed on signing Batum, I don't think Lillard would be quite the same player we see right now. Having 3 or 4 average to above average starters alongside him makes things easier on him.
I think playing Leonard alongside Batum, Aldridge, Wes and Lillard will help his game a lot more than aligning with jeffries and Price off the bench.

 

[RR7]

To add to that, just going off of 82games top lineups for Leonard, by minutes, #2 is Smith-Barton-Babbitt-Freeland-Leonard. I know that's likely due to mop up time or whatever, but that lineup sucks.

 

[illmatic99]

I'm for this, but I want JJ to stay engaged and productive to keep at least some trade value. If we don't move him by the deadline, I want Myers to start afterwards.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

His offensive game (IMO) will be mainly P&P's and P&R's -- They've barely ran any P&R's for him so far. With his finishing ability and athleticism, they've got to do this more.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

It's funny, but I was thinking about this earlier this morning. But I was thinking of it in the context of after we trade Hickson, we will have to throw Leonard and Freeland and Babbitt into the fire, which is fine with me. Yeah, it will be painful at times, but it's necessary pain. Then I remembered we have a coach who likes to try to compete so we'd probably get a lot more of Jared Jeffries than anyone should have to suffer through. Anyway, even if Hickson isn't traded, I'd start Leonard and have Hickson get his usual minutes backing up both positions, but not until some time after the all star break.

This is brilliance speaking!!!

 

[Further]

His offensive game (IMO) will be mainly P&P's and P&R's -- They've barely ran any P&R's for him so far. With his finishing ability and athleticism, they've got to do this more.

I think you are right, eventually. But right now I think it's good on offense to have him just concentrate on offensive boards and put backs, and the occasional oop. It's not like the team is really hurting on the offensive end. Mostly, I want his attention to be on the defensive side. Once he can learn how to rotate and move his feet on defense, then you can add in some offensive sets.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think you are right, eventually. But right now I think it's good on offense to have him just concentrate on offensive boards and put backs, and the occasional oop. It's not like the team is really hurting on the offensive end. Mostly, I want his attention to be on the defensive side. Once he can learn how to rotate and move his feet on defense, then you can add in some offensive sets.

So far Leonard looks more comfortable taking a pick and pop shot or finishing an alley-oop than anything else. If he can get those putbacks and offensive boards great, but right now he doesn't look like an especially gifted rebounder.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

if he starts or not, i wanna see him for 24 mpg at least

nards is the future

 

[Mediocre Man]

Ya, you have to see if he can be the presence in the middle we need. We need a guy in there that can cause the opposing team to think twice about taking it to the rim, not just a guy that can score and rebound a little

 

[magnifier661]

I have a suspicion that we are starting hickson to up his value. If oshley can't find any takers that hickson can agree with; then Leonard will get a lot more burn after the trade deadline.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I have a suspicion that we are starting hickson to up his value. If oshley can't find any takers that hickson can agree with; then Leonard will get a lot more burn after the trade deadline.

Hope so. No reason not to

 

[BBert]

Except if I can see what a liability Hickson has been as a starting center vs. the Clips, I'm guessing pro scouts can too. Still, a team that needs a backup hustle rebounding machine for the playoffs would be a great fit for him. Hopefully someone comes calling.

 

[magnifier661]

Except if I can see what a liability Hickson has been as a starting center vs. the Clips, I'm guessing pro scouts can too. Still, a team that needs a backup hustle rebounding machine for the playoffs would be a great fit for him. Hopefully someone comes calling.

I don't think he would be as much of a defensive liability against PFs though. He is seriously over matched playing center. If he somehow could land a starting PF spot on a good team; they would do well.

 

[blue9]

Except if I can see what a liability Hickson has been as a starting center vs. the Clips, I'm guessing pro scouts can too. Still, a team that needs a backup hustle rebounding machine for the playoffs would be a great fit for him. Hopefully someone comes calling.

I would think any team interested in him would want him as a PF since he's not a C.

 

[HailBlazers]

Blazers rookie Meyers Leonard gained perspective, insight during three weeks away

“I told him when he injured his ankle to take advantage of this time to study the game, to learn on the bench,” Stotts said. “ I said, ‘Don’t let this time go to waste. Take advantage it.’”

“I think I’m just becoming more comfortable in games with game reps,” said Leonard, who is averaging 4.9 points and 3.6 rebounds. “Earlier in the season, I would get (shot opportunities) and kind of hesitate or I would get them and miss. Now that I’ve had some game reps, I’m just catching them and I’m like, ‘Hey I can make this shot, shoot it.’ My teammates and coaches have trust in me, so I’m gonna shot it.”

Three weeks and 11 games is a long time to sit. But, it turns out, the time off the court did anything but stunt Leonard’s development.

“It really helped me,” Leonard said. “First of all, it just refreshed me a little bit. A lot of times it’s the All-star break that allows guys to step back. Obviously I wanted to be playing, but in some ways it was kind of a blessing. I got a chance to step back and look at the game mentally and watch things unfold from the bench. And I watched some film on what I had done wrong, what I can do better, how I can help the team more.”

“We’ve been talking to him for three months about shooting — he’s a good shooter, be ready to shoot,” Stotts said. “But it just takes time to get to a comfort level and have some positive reinforcement. Now that he’s made a couple jumpers, I think he’ll be ready to shoot it more. My hope for him right now is to keep the game simple: run, set screens, rebound, defend your position, block some shots and make an open jump shot. If he does those things without hesitation, without overthinking it, he’ll be OK. The rest of it will come.”

 

[jlprk]

Starting Leonard would mean bagging the season and dropping to about .400. Hickson would be disgusted and wouldn't entertain our summer offer. In effect, we'd be trading Hickson to get our bottom-12 protected 2013 draft pick.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Starting Leonard would mean bagging the season and dropping to about .400. Hickson would be disgusted and wouldn't entertain our summer offer. In effect, we'd be trading Hickson to get our bottom-12 protected 2013 draft pick.

You make that sound like a bad thing?