Q&A: Meyers Leonard On Portland’s Future And The Center Curse

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by SlyPokerDog, Aug 27, 2012.

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  1. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Dime: How much contact have you had with Portland thus far?
    Meyers Leonard: I’ve been out there a couple times. I mean I was out there for minicamp, before Summer League, and then all throughout Summer League, so it’s been good.

    Dime: How do you think you played in Summer League?
    ML: I thought I did fairly well. I averaged almost a double-double (10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds), but most importantly our team played well. Went out there and competed, especially Damian (Lillard) and I and Will (Barton). Three of the main rookies coming in, I feel like we have a good relationship starting to form.

    Dime: Portland’s had a lot of trouble with drafting centers over the years. Are nervous at all about having to be the savior from all that injury trouble?
    ML: Well the history doesn’t affect me at all. It is what it is. Whatever happens happens. But I’m just going to come every day and learn as much as I can and work as hard as I can.

    Dime: Was there anywhere you hoping to get drafted, or were you just trying to go as high as possible?
    ML: I’m just happy to be in the NBA.

    Dime: What’s the first thing you bought with NBA money?
    ML: I already got a Porsche Panamera. Otherwise I’m gonna save and invest my money.

    Dime: How do you think Portland is going to do next season?
    ML: I think we’re still in somewhat of a rebuilding mode, but even that, they took Damian, who is a very very good player, with the sixth pick, and myself with the 11th. Obviously we have an All-Star in LaMarcus Aldridge, Wes Matthews is a very good player, and the rest of the guys around them, I think we have some very good pieces to be able to put together some wins.

    http://dimemag.com/2012/08/dime-qa-meyers-leonard-on-portlands-future-and-the-center-curse/
     
    SlyPokerDog, Aug 27, 2012
    #1
  2. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    Wasn't happy with this pick, but I'm hoping he becomes a more athletic Joel out there. I'll take that 10 pts/8 rebs every night this season!!!!
     
    THE HCP, Aug 27, 2012
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  3. Eastoff

    Eastoff But it was a beginning.

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    I think he'll be closer to 7pts/12rbs
     
    Eastoff, Aug 27, 2012
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  4. porkchopexpress

    porkchopexpress Well-Known Member

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    Given LMA's numbers on the boards, I'd take this over 10 and 8.
     
    porkchopexpress, Aug 27, 2012
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  5. julius

    julius Living on the air in Cincinnati... Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I'll take him playing this year and not needing 12 microfractures
     
    julius, Aug 27, 2012
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  6. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    ^Ding Ding Ding!
     
    THE HCP, Aug 27, 2012
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  7. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

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    Leonard's raw stats will be highly dependent on his minutes. How much center will Aldridge play? If Stotts' goal is to win games, I see Aldridge and Hickson, the two proven big men on our roster, getting the bulk of the minutes at the 4 and 5. If Stotts is set on developing the youngsters, he should start Leonard and Aldridge and let Hickson and Freeland back up both spots. I want to see Leonard developed, not coddled, as I think he may be our long term answer at center. He has the size, athleticism and basic tools. He just needs to develop and gain experience against NBS caliber big men.

    Rather than ppg and rpg, since I don't know how much he'll play, I'd look more at his advanced stats. I'd like to see a PER in the 15 range, a TRB% of at least 18, but 19 or greater would be better if he's playing beside Aldridge. I'd like to see his TS% in the .600 range and WS/48 > .100. Those numbers are very close to Joel's first year in Portland. If Leonard can put up something close to those advanced stats, I'll be very happy with his rookie performance.

    BNM
     
    Boob-No-More, Aug 27, 2012
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  8. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    I'm guessing 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block and 5 fouls per game for Mr. Leonard. Good thing we have two rookie post players to share the minutes.
     
    BBert, Aug 27, 2012
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  9. mook

    mook The 2018-19 season was the best I've seen

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    An estimated 17% of all American men 7 feet or taller have played in the NBA. (By comparison, the chances of an American between 6'6" and 6'8" being an NBA player today stands at a mere 0.07%)

    Of the few in that rarefied air, how many also have the terms "great motor" and "good athlete" associated with them? It's a pretty short list. Most 7 footers on the list can stand under a hoop, do one or two things, take up some space, and retire with a fat paycheck ("fat" in comparison to non-NBA salaries). Being so tall is such a rare commodity that you don't have to do much more to cash in.

    The more I learn about Leonard, the happier I am with this pick. He doesn't have elite 7 footer talent (or else he'd have been a top 3 pick). But for a #11 pick I'll settle for motor and athleticism in my 7 footer.
     
    mook, Aug 27, 2012
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  10. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    Interesting. Did that article mention how many 7 foot or taller American men played in college?
     
    Mediocre Man, Aug 27, 2012
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  11. mook

    mook The 2018-19 season was the best I've seen

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    Nope. Here's the paragraph I was pulling from. It's really a pretty interesting read.

    So there are about 70 seven foot Americans right now. Of that number, I wonder how many can do a cart wheel.
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2012
    mook, Aug 27, 2012
    #11
  12. Nikolokolus

    Nikolokolus There's always next year

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    Snagging that many boards would be minor miracle as a rookie, given that he wasn't a dominant rebounder in college and he probably will be lucky to play a full 30 minutes a night.
     
    Nikolokolus, Aug 27, 2012
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  13. BLAZER PROPHET

    BLAZER PROPHET Well-Known Member

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    HCP, why weren't you happy with this pick? Who else did you want at 11?
     
    BLAZER PROPHET, Aug 27, 2012
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  14. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    I am guessing a non white American born center?


    Besides Mrs HCP, The HCP and I also share our disdain for white non Euro white players in the NBA. Hopefully Leonard is the man
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2012
    Mediocre Man, Aug 27, 2012
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  15. Eastoff

    Eastoff But it was a beginning.

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    well then label me ignorant, and a day-dreaming!
     
    Eastoff, Aug 27, 2012
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  16. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    Will do once again. :D
     
    Mediocre Man, Aug 27, 2012
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  17. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    I imagine Leonard's rookie contributions are going to be very similar to those of the following centers taken at a comparable spot in the draft:

    Andrew Bynum (#10, 2005)
    7 mpg, 40% shooting, 1.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg

    Patrick O'Bryant (#9, 2006)
    7.1 mpg, 31% shooting, 1.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg

    Saer Sene (#10, 2006)
    8.7 mpg, 100% shooting (in 3 games total!), 2.0 ppg, 0.7 rpg

    Hilton Armstrong (#12, 2006)
    11.3 mpg, 54%, 3.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg

    Spencer Hawes (#10, 2007)
    13.1 mpg, 46%, 4.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg

    If we're INCREDIBLY LUCKY, he'll turn out like Joakim Noah (#9 in 2007) or Brook Lopez (#10 in 2008). Best case scenario as far as I can see is:

    Roy Hibbert (#17 in 2008)
    11.3 mpg, 54%, 3.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg

    So, long story short, y'alls are going to be disappointed.
     
    Rastapopoulos, Aug 27, 2012
    #17
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  18. VanillaGorilla

    VanillaGorilla Well-Known Member

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    Funny that he didn't mention Batum alongside Aldridge and Matthews.
     
    VanillaGorilla, Aug 27, 2012
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  19. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    I actually wanted either Jeremy Lamb or Terrance Jones......... I hate big white players, you know that.
     
    THE HCP, Aug 27, 2012
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  20. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    Perspective is a bitch. LOL

    I think those numbers are going to be a bit lower than Leonard's because of two things.

    1. Aldridge is a poor rebounder
    2. We don't have a vet taking any minutes at center.


    Well, looking again, maybe Spencer Hawes or Hilton Armstrong numbers will be close I say between 4-5 rpg
     
    Mediocre Man, Aug 27, 2012
    #20
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