Hope we don't make the same mistake with Leonard as we did with Jermaine...

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/...20608_1_meyers-leonard-funny-bone-jae-crowder

 

No. Not at all.

 

Most 19 year-olds are 'immature', and I still don't see a quote from Weber.

Keep on digging this hole, though. It's keeping the room active!

 

Comparing Meyers to Jermaine is like comparing Nolan to Terry Porter.

 

that he can hit FTs at a respectable rate could keep him on the floor for the important minutes of the game... IF he develops and earns being out there in the first place. Joel's game + 75% (or better) from the line justifies significant minutes. Unless he's throwing up red flags behind the scenes, I really doubt Portland moves him anytime soon so as to better gauge what they've got. Year 2 should be pretty telling whether things are clicking for him or not

STOMP

 

I agree but the big factor with Joel was the screen setting and knowledge of where to be on defense. If Meyers can't learn those he won't be as effective despite better offense.

 

well yeah, I did say... "IF he develops" and then later spoke of things needing to click for him. To state things more clearly... I don't think he's nearly at Joel's best level right now. But if he develops to that general level and also shoots a high percentage from the line (something JP struggled with), Portland will have a valuable piece of the puzzle.

STOMP

 

...because at 20 years old everyone thought Jermaine would be in multiple AS games...

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He absolutely was athletic

Strengths: Very good offensive game, can score in many ways on the block. Good medium range shooter. 7 footers with his agility are rare. Potential is very good.

Weaknesses: Doesn't always rise to the occasion. Lacks great quickness. Needs to show more emotion, aggresiveness. Not a great athlete but a very good one.

Chris Mihm is a very agile and skilled 7 footer. One of the top center prospects to surface in college in sometime. Mihm has a nice post game, and can bury the mid-range jump shot. He excels on the defensive end and is a very good shot blocker. Chris has all the attributes to be a great NBA center. If he decides to turn pro he will be among the top picks in the NBA draft.

Very good athlete

 

His college coach called him immature. IMO that translates to head case

 

That is a stretch. You hear college coaches say that about their young players all the time.

 

When talking to NBA scouts? Ok.

 

Yes, and in the paper. Scouts gather from a lot of sources. It is mostly said about 1 and done players. Some use it as a motivational tool (whether it works or not is another debate).

 

Mihm's lack of athleticism is listed under weaknesses.

Here's what the same site says about Leonard:

"Strengths: Fluid, athletic 7-footer with developing all-around skills ... Excellent length on a good frame that will be capable of supporting more muscle ... Quick off his feet ... Strong body-control for a big ... Easy alley-oop target ... Explosiveness helps him blow by slower post players in transition ... Good offensive awareness ... Talented passer with good court-vision ... Does a lot of damage in the post at this level ... Willing to wrestle for good position near the block ... Uses his agility well to get around the rim, and is a quality finisher due to his athleticism ... Becoming a better outside shooter, and is dangerous when left alone from 12-18 feet ... Nice touch from the free-throw line; shouldn't be a liability there in the future ... Sells contact well (he's a good flopper) ... Defends with his body more than his hands ... Protects the rim well on defense ... Blocks a lot of shots ... Smart help-defender ... Gets his hands on a lot of rebounds, and is aware enough to tip-out to teammates when he can't corral one himself ... Usually does a good job of finding somebody to box-out whenever a shot goes up ...

Weaknesses: Will need to add more weight to be comfortable against NBA-caliber centers ... Lacks a real go-to move offensively, though he can do a number of different things well ... Inconsistent motor ... Has a habit of floating around the perimeter a little more than he should ... Can be turnover prone when attempting to put the ball on the floor ... Needs to continue to gain confidence and consistency.

Outlook: Leonard is a very nice prospect for the center position in the NBA ... Has really blossomed in his sophomore year and is just hitting his stride and was not a big factor in his freshman season ... There really aren't a lot of weaknesses in his game ... He should look to establish an offensive identity and continue to polish his all-around game ... With his potential, he's sure to get some looks in the lottery ..."

Notice that his athleticism is the very first thing mentioned in the "strengths" section and it is referenced multiple times. Not once is his lack of athleticism mentioned in the weaknesses section.

Leonard is an elite level athlete for someone 7'1". Mihm didn't suck athletically, but saying "Not a great athlete but a very good one." in the weaknesses section of his scouting profile is a form of damning him with faint praise. If he was an exceptional athlete, on par with Leonard, his athleticism would have been listed as a strength, not a weakness.

BNM

 

You guys are picking this apart way too much. There games are similar to me. Period. If they aren't to you then thats great as well

 

Speaking of Jermaine. He is playing very well this year.

 

It's those dame Phoenix Dr's

 

Nash is sure missing them. Wish Paul would open up his checkbook and tell them to throw out a number of what it would take for them to come to our team.

 

Could also very well be the air. Warm and dry is great for bones and joints

 

LOL

OK

Contrary evidence be damned, it's his opinion and he's sticking with it!

Don't pick it apart. Theory is white centers = all the same player. Do not challenge it.