When the hell did Leonard become a defensive bad-ass?

[chris_in_pdx]

The last few games I have seen a side of Legend that has been completely unexpected: a hard-nosed worker on the defensive end with a mean streak and a death stare. He has really stepped up his effort on guarding and switching, and isn't afraid to scrap it up with opposing players. Yes, he still makes silly mistakes that a young player will make, but a lanky 7-footer being a pest on defense is a HUGE addition to the team.

 

[blue9]

I think he's had it in him since his rookie year - he's never been shy about contact like some ball sack we had on the team last season. But he's finally learning the art of positioning. He'll never be able to guard PFs, or anyone with quick feet - but he can be a decent defensive C. Heck - he's even playing some fairly decent help defense! Far better than previously mentioned ball sack every played.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

It's all about WHO he's playing. Big, strong centers bring out the be(a)st in Meyers.

 

[B-Roy]

I love how he gets in the head of other players. I don't even know what he's doing, might just be that goofy face but it's hilarious.

 

[blue9]

I love how he gets in the head of other players. I don't even know what he's doing, might just be that goofy face but it's hilarious.

He's kinda like a non-dirty, non-bitchmode version of Beverly! He irritates people, but it's just because he's not going to be bullied or intimidated by contact, and he's gonna give that contact right back to you.
Even though I expected a lot more from him this season, I still really like him. His development seems to be taking longer than expected, but it might just be our own impatience. If I were more inclined I'd take a look at other Cs (Pryz, etc) to see how many years it took for them to become competent. But I do think Meyers will eventually come into his own - and I want him to be a Blazer when that happens.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Meyers' post defense has really improved. He may always be a bit slow of foot and mind to be a great P & R/help defender but I like that his personality seems to irritate some of the mentally weak 'stars'. He's like a cross between Bill Laimbeer and Beaver Cleaver.

 

[Blazinaway]

Meyers' post defense has really improved. He may always be a bit slow of foot and mind to be a great P & R/help defender but I like that his personality seems to irritate some of the mentally weak 'stars'. He's like a cross between Bill Laimbeer and Beaver Cleaver.

LMAO, that is one of the weirdest "crosses" I have seen!

 

[Natebishop3]

He's so frustrating though...... he'll do something great, and then he'll do something like pass it in under our own hoop to Ed Davis who has a guy draped all over him. That play led to a bucket for Houston and a foul shot.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Kaman has been threatening to kill his pets if he didn't play tougher defense.

 

[Chris Craig]

And he's actually bringing the ball inside and pulling down boards...there may be hope for Legend after all

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Also, on a completely unrelated note--has anybody noticed how crisply he passes? I swear the ball leaves his hand at a higher average speed than any player I've ever seen. Someone must have impressed upon him the absolute unacceptability of "lazy passing". Honestly, I'm surprised teammates don't have more trouble catching balls he throws.

 

[Scalma]

Also, on a completely unrelated note--has anybody noticed how crisply he passes? I swear the ball leaves his hand at a higher average speed than any player I've ever seen. Someone must have impressed upon him the absolute unacceptability of "lazy passing". Honestly, I'm surprised teammates don't have more trouble catching balls he throws.

He's a really good passer, I sometimes wish he would loosen up a little more. He tends to make very safe passes for the most part.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Meyers' post defense has really improved. He may always be a bit slow of foot and mind to be a great P & R/help defender but I like that his personality seems to irritate some of the mentally weak 'stars'. He's like a cross between Bill Laimbeer and Beaver Cleaver.

I think it is more than just personality. He does not get the respect other players get because of the way he looks. Not saying it is a race issue, just that he seems to get a lot of cheap elbows from vets that I do not see occurring with other young centers. He gets elbowed from players who just come into the game that he has no prior history with. They just like hitting him. Eventually he will earn their respect, but right now he could use a Maurice Lucas type enforcer to have his back.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Is it that he's being put exclusively on Centers now, and we've given up entirely having him "guard" PFs?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Is it that he's being put exclusively on Centers now, and we've given up entirely having him "guard" PFs?

I have always viewed him as a "stretch 5" in the mold of Mehmet Okur. He can step outside and shoot but at 7'1" he can not stay with stretch 4's on D

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Kawhi Leonard has always been defensive bad ass.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

He's a really good passer, I sometimes wish he would loosen up a little more. He tends to make very safe passes for the most part.

I saw a lot of looooooong cross court passes last night. Like, from above the key to the opposite corner. That's the kind of pass I would normally discourage, but from him, they're sailing through without a problem. I've really become impressed with how well he facilitates the offense when he's engaged.

 

[Schilly]

Meyers is coming around. What really impresses me is yes his interior defense, but also he is almost automatic from 18 feet and in.

 

[blue9]

Also, on a completely unrelated note--has anybody noticed how crisply he passes? I swear the ball leaves his hand at a higher average speed than any player I've ever seen. Someone must have impressed upon him the absolute unacceptability of "lazy passing". Honestly, I'm surprised teammates don't have more trouble catching balls he throws.

Absolutely - even during his rookie season (maybe it was 2nd season) he showed that he's a terrific passer. I still recall the first time I saw him rip down a rebound a throw a perfect 3/4 court outlet pass - Baby Sabonis was my first thought! Once he stops overthinking, that passing ability (coupled with his shooting) is what will make him a special player.

 

[HailBlazers]

Meyers is coming around. What really impresses me is yes his interior defense, but also he is almost automatic from 18 feet and in.

Hopefully we can keep him around, affordably.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Also, on a completely unrelated note--has anybody noticed how crisply he passes? I swear the ball leaves his hand at a higher average speed than any player I've ever seen. Someone must have impressed upon him the absolute unacceptability of "lazy passing". Honestly, I'm surprised teammates don't have more trouble catching balls he throws.

If he can master the mental game, the Baby Sabas moniker isn't so awfully ironic. It's just getting consistency into that kid! (this is your weekly reminder that he's only 23, by the way - we really should give him two more years).

 

[TBpup]

Is it that he's being put exclusively on Centers now, and we've given up entirely having him "guard" PFs?

That is VERY MUCH it. He plays defense much better when he is playing center. It might be a mindset. Instead of floating around the perimeter and being 'soft', big guys are banging on him and it seems to piss him off a bit. Kind of like his older marine brother picking on him and he grows up and has finally had enough. The stretch '4' think just doesn't seem to work for him. As they progress, I'd really like to see Meyers and Vonleh be on the court at the same time.

 

[Scalma]

Well technically he's still a stretch since that's what he does offensively, but defensively he's exclusively a center. Now if he can get that 3pt shot where it was last year. It's weird cuz his shot from inside the line has been money.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If he can master the mental game, the Baby Sabas moniker isn't so awfully ironic. It's just getting consistency into that kid! (this is your weekly reminder that he's only 23, by the way - we really should give him two more years).

I still worry that he's got a little too much Travis Outlaw in him to ever completely get over it.

 

[riverman]

I still worry that he's got a little too much Travis Outlaw in him to ever completely get over it.

Kingspeed never did

 

[Nikolokolus]

Kingspeed never did

oof

 

[BBert]

Meyers has been mixing it up with other big men since he came into the league. I'm trying to remember the big dude a couple of years ago who gave Meyers a cheap shot on one end, then Meyers immediately bodied up on him on the other baseline, wrapped him up, and just threw him to the ground. Unfortunately for Meyers, the other guy just about knocked Meyers out with a thrown elbow on his way down. (Was it Milwaukee? Detroit? IDK) And Meyers had two of those in about a week. That's why I call him LaimBeibs.

 

[Scalma]

Meyers has been mixing it up with other big men since he came into the league. I'm trying to remember the big dude a couple of years ago who gave Meyers a cheap shot on one end, then Meyers immediately bodied up on him on the other baseline, wrapped his arm up, and just threw him to the ground. Unfortunately for Meyers, the other guy just about knocked Meyers out with a thrown elbow on his way down. (Was it Milwaukee? Detroit? IDK) And Meyers had two of those in about a week. That's why I call him LaimBeibs.

Wasn't it Daniel Orton??

 

[BBert]

I think everyone cheap shots Meyers because they think they can, and because they want to send a message. And I do think it is at least a little a race thing. Plus he's so pretty, it pisses them off.