http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...nard_rejoins_trail_blazers_rotation_says.html I love that Earl Watson has been helping him. So much goes on behind the scenes that us fans/critics don't see.
I would like to see us try out Leonard as a stretch 4 ala Frye or Anderson. That could give us a missing ingredient in the bench's offense.
He has been at the end of the bench for so long I had completely forgotten that he has a real nice touch on his jumper - with a quick release to boot! That could be a real weapon, especially at his size. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NfcPpHa3EOE
I don't. He has learned from a bad example, Aldridge, that big men exist to shoot. Also, I don't like his perpetual lack of confidence.
Why is he back in the rotation? I figured it was insurance for 1 game, in case Lopez got the willies against his team of last year, New Orleans. But a comment after the article says that Olshey is increasing Leonard's value for the Asik trade. Hmm. Maybe.
It's what he is though - a shooter. Trying to turn him into something (banger) that he is not is a recipe for disaster and will certainly stunt any kind of growth. With his skill-set I think he could be a very effective pick-and-pop/roll guy.
I don't want him launching threes either, but I think we need a center to space the floor more. I 100% that Leonard still needs to rebound the ball better. He doesn't box out well and gets pushed out of position still. I've done my fair share of complaining about Leonard, but there was nothing I could really complain about last night. I mean I just want our center to at least keep the defense honest. I don't want him to be abused down low. Last night Leonard wasn't being abused in the paint.
I wasn't complaining about him last night. He did enough to not look exposed last night and that's all I'm asking for right now. Still needs to work on his rebounding and help defense, otherwise he wasn't bad.
Yes and no. To be sure we need more defense. But we also heed a low post scoring threat. If he could develop a little jump hook or something it'd go a long ways.