Why is Meyers struggling?

[Draco]

Okay, read through the thread. A common theme seems to be that the majority of us see Meyers as a C rather than a PF. So, who else wants to join @Strenuus on my Stotts Hate Train?

No, this isn't Stotts fault, the problem is we have 3 backup centers on the roster. Davis and Plumlee can't play PF either. Davis looks solid guarding some backup PF's as Meyers did last year. If Stotts puts any of those three out against the leagues starting PF's we get exposed the same.

 

[blue9]

No, this isn't Stotts fault, the problem is we have 3 backup centers on the roster. Davis and Plumlee can't play PF either. Davis looks solid guarding some backup PF's as Meyers did last year. If Stotts puts any of those three out against the leagues starting PF's we get exposed the same.

Even if I were to agree that Davis can't play PF, Davis plays PF better than Meyers, and Meyers plays C better than PF. So given the choices available to us, the best unit is Davis/Meyers.
However, I disagree that Davis can't play PF. Though I do agree that Plumlee can't.

C = Meyers/Plumlee
PF = Davis/Vonleh

 

[blue32]

Before reading through the thread I thought I'd voice my opinion. Meyers is struggling because he's a C, not a PF. But Stotts defines his players by the player that preceded them:

Dirk >>> LMA
LMA >>> Meyers
Lopez >>> Plumlee
Nic >>> Aminu
Dame >>> CJ

Meyers should be playing as a high-post Center, picking/popping with Dame/CJ. As he starts to rebuild confidence in his jump shot he can then start faking the shot and putting the ball on the floor, using his above-average dribbling and passing to create scoring opportunities closer to the hoop. He should also be guarding the opposing C - he's much better at guarding Cs than PFs.

Stotts done fucked up by playing Meyers at PF along with Plumlee. Meyers needs to be moved to C, and put Davis at PF, and bring Plumlee off the bench. That's not a slight against Plumlee - I really like what he brings to the table. But for this roster, and what we want to do this season (develop key players, like Meyers), it makes much more sense to start Meyers/Davis and bring Plumlee off the bench (with CJ once Henderson is back).

Blue, I agree...

Blue

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm really

If he really does have an injured hand that is affecting his shooting, why the hell is he playing? All he's doing is hurting the team.

Depends on your perspective.

 

[TBpup]

This is exactly what this season is for. Give players like Meyers a good run of 20+ minutes a night to see what he's got and what he can become with consistent playing time. Same goes for Vonleh. Of course he's not producing big now...he's basically a rookie. Keep throwing him out there and look for development as the season goes along.

 

[B-Roy]

Even if I were to agree that Davis can't play PF, Davis plays PF better than Meyers, and Meyers plays C better than PF. So given the choices available to us, the best unit is Davis/Meyers.
However, I disagree that Davis can't play PF. Though I do agree that Plumlee can't.

C = Meyers/Plumlee
PF = Davis/Vonleh

Why can Davis play PF but Plumlee can't?

 

[blue9]

Why can Davis play PF but Plumlee can't?

Eh. I guess I don't really have a GOOD reason. I'm mainly basing that statement on size. Plumlee is still quite mobile for his size, so maybe he could. I just think that Davis would be a better starting PF than Plumlee, and Plumlee would be a better back-up C than starting PF. Davis is much more svelte, and looks much more like a PF than a C, whereas Plumlee definitely looks like a C.

 

[B-Roy]

Eh. I guess I don't really have a GOOD reason. I'm mainly basing that statement on size. Plumlee is still quite mobile for his size, so maybe he could. I just think that Davis would be a better starting PF than Plumlee, and Plumlee would be a better back-up C than starting PF. Davis is much more svelte, and looks much more like a PF than a C, whereas Plumlee definitely looks like a C.

I suppose Davis "looks" more like a PF, but both Davis and Plumlee have basically the same skill set anyways. Plumlee is pretty mobile for his size. Davis may be a bit more mobile and lengthier, but I don' think it prevents one or the other from playing PF.

Whoever plays alongside either has to be able to stretch the floor either way.

 

[blue9]

I suppose Davis "looks" more like a PF, but both Davis and Plumlee have basically the same skill set anyways. Plumlee is pretty mobile for his size. Davis may be a bit more mobile and lengthier, but I don' think it prevents one or the other from playing PF.

Whoever plays alongside either has to be able to stretch the floor either way.

Yeah, we're in agreement here. They are very similar players, but have subtle differences that lead me to lean towards Davis as a PF and Plumlee as a C. Part of that could be that I like passing from the C spot, and Plumlee (and Meyers!) is a better passer than Davis, making him fit my vision for what a C should be better than Davis.
I think Davis pairs better at PF with Meyers at C.

 

[B-Roy]

Yeah, we're in agreement here. They are very similar players, but have subtle differences that lead me to lean towards Davis as a PF and Plumlee as a C. Part of that could be that I like passing from the C spot, and Plumlee (and Meyers!) is a better passer than Davis, making him fit my vision for what a C should be better than Davis.
I think Davis pairs better at PF with Meyers at C.

I mean, in the end it's all semantics I suppose. Meyers still plays the 4 on offense when Davis/Plumlee are in the game.

 

[Draco]

Even if I were to agree that Davis can't play PF, Davis plays PF better than Meyers, and Meyers plays C better than PF. So given the choices available to us, the best unit is Davis/Meyers.
However, I disagree that Davis can't play PF. Though I do agree that Plumlee can't.

C = Meyers/Plumlee
PF = Davis/Vonleh

So you want to bench Plumlee who's played well or start Vonleh?

I stand by my statement we have 3 centers. But still think outside an injury we should stick with the same starters for much more than 3 games.

Is it terribly critical who starts anyways? These guys are all playing around 25 minutes.

 

[illmatic99]

The deadline to extend is today. Is it noon western?

So no extension sounds like...

 

[Tunchi]

The deadline to extend is today. Is it noon western?

So no extension sounds like...

Thank god

 

[Draco]

The deadline to extend is today. Is it noon western?

So no extension sounds like...

It's actually midnight EST, so basically right when the Minny game tonight ends.

But I'd expect it to be done by business hours today if it gets done. With the lack of any rumors sound like it's not happening. Neil does run a tight lipped ship though. Would be very curious the numbers both sides are asking for.

 

[B-Roy]

John Henson money sounds pretty fair at this point.

 

[Sinobas]

Who thinks Meyers is a center, and why? Because of his stellar rim protection skills? His ability to score inside?

 

[adrenalize74]

I echo much of what others have said.

Leonard is a C, just because he has an outside shot does not make him a PF.

Leonard is actually a pretty good man defender at C. No, he isn't a shot blocker, but he does a good job 1-on-1.

He rushes his inside shots, like he is soo worried he will get blocked so he flicks it up too quick when he could prob take another half-sec to be more deliberate. Heck, I have seen 3-4 times this season if he would have thought about it, he could have dunked it. Instead he shot too quickly (almost like a put-back) and misses.

Also, he is too hesitant and actually makes passes too quickly at times. Several times he has made a turn-over by trying to relay a pass too quickly.

Overall, I think its a combination of jitters, trying to figure out his role, and playing out of position. I really wish he would just play in the paint/post and take those 3s when opportunity arises. Yes, there will be a lot of growing pains while he works on his post/paint game, but that is what this season if for.

I also agree that the line-up should be:

PG: Lillard/CJ
SG: Harkless/CJ/Crabbe
SF: Aminu/Harkless
PF: Davis/Vonleh
C: Leonard/Plumlee

 

[Draco]

Who thinks Meyers is a center, and why? Because of his stellar rim protection skills? His ability to score inside?

He has an athletic advantage against the average center. He proved he can fill a Matt Bonner center role. His rim protection had encouraging signs last year in short stretches. Will he be a good center? Maybe, maybe not. I have doubts but after watching every preseason and regular game it's more likely than PF IMO.

 

[Blazinaway]

Maybe something simple like maybe Meyers is struggling because he is not as good as some thought?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Maybe something simple like maybe Meyers is struggling because he is not as good as some thought?

Careful now.

 

[barfo]

Maybe because the Rohypnol hasn't fully taken effect?

barfo

 

[blue9]

So you want to bench Plumlee who's played well or start Vonleh?

I've said that I want to start a Meyers/Davis front court and bring Plumlee off the bench. I agree he has played well, but I think we'd be better off with my suggested change. I also think CJ should come off the bench once Henderson is back...and maybe even immediately, and give Harkless the interim starting SG spot.
Vonleh should only be getting spot minutes at this point.

 

[BBert]

There is simply no way you can play Harkless ahead of CJ at this point. Henderson when he comes back maybe. Harkless later in the season maybe. But not now. Too early. CJ has earned this chance, and 3 games isn't enough of a chance.

 

[blue9]

There is simply no way you can play Harkless ahead of CJ at this point. Henderson when he comes back maybe. Harkless later in the season maybe. But not now. Too early. CJ has earned this chance, and 3 games isn't enough of a chance.

Fair enough, and good point. Long-term CJ is not a starter (at least not next to Dame). But it would be a total dick move to replace him with Harkless right now.

 

[BBert]

Fair enough, and good point. Long-term CJ is not a starter (at least not next to Dame). But it would be a total dick move to replace him with Harkless right now.

Yeah, I don't care who you are, or what someone says, there are egos involved. Managing that is harder than the x's and o's.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Leonard is in his 4th season. Plumlee is in his 3rd and is already parsecs ahead of Leonard in terms of fundamentals/BBall IQ. Vonleh is in his 2nd year and already shows signs of closing the gap.

Time to cut bait or fish. Most "project" players never work out and Stotts needs to put the team first.

 

[illmatic99]

Dude needs to get his head out of his ass and play his game.

Don't care for his mindset. Gettin tired of our mentally fragile bigmen

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Spacing and when he does have an open shot he hesitates.

Takes notes from Frye - NO hesitation:

 

[jlprk]

A. It's early and a 3 game sample size doesn't mean much.

B. Most guys struggle making the jump from bench player to starter.

C. Maybe he's not good enough.

Guess we'll find out what the truth is this season. It's not like we were expecting playoffs here you know.

Are you referring to the 3 good games he had in the playoffs, or the 3 out of 3 bad games he's had this season? His fans want to have it both ways--blow up one, be patient on the other, waiting for the Golden Future.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Numbness of the skull can be devastating.