Not sure why you felt the need to mention it wasn't a breakout game twice in a response where you quoted me. I never called it a breakout game. In fact, I specifically said it wasn't. Here's the first paragraph from my first post in this thread: Again, I never called it a breakout game. I simply said Leonard is making forward progress, specifically on defense and rebounding, and I'm fine with that. I acknowledged several times that he's still a work in progress and still has a long way to go, but at least the recent trend has been positive. BNM
I'll ask again, have you actually watched the last three games? Leonard has rebounded at an even higher rate than Robinson and has played solid position defense. In what way was Robinson playing "better" than Leonard? BNM
He's learning Freeland's "go straight up" defensive technique, and was closer to where he should be on defense more often than I've seen this year (that's not saying much, but it's not saying nothing, either). He looks less lost on offense, doesn't have hands of stone, can actually shoot, and his one truly embarrassing bone-headed play was a result of panic because he couldn't see the shot clock, which points to inexperience, not stupidity.
Robinson looks more serious when he plays and will have an angry scowl on his mug. Leonard is tweeting about Beiber, combing his hair and scheduling tanning salon sessions. Doesn't matter what they are doing with a basketball on the court, some posters prefer one over the other.
Robinson tries to do too much, and overestimates his SF skills at the NBA level. Leonard tries to do what the coach told him, so he overthinks a bit. You can't teach the kind of length, athleticism, and shooting touch Leonard has for a 7-footer. So, he's worth teaching how to play. We should all hope the investment pays off. I remain optimistic.
Screw all the hemming and hawing. Meyers is improving and is showing that in a couple years, will likely be a very good player in the NBA. There is a long way to go, but Meyers was way more immature and crappy at basketball than most rookies. It's just going to take him a bit, not so much physically, but mentally he is just real young and needs time. His improvements are tangible and actually coming along at a faster clip than I thought they would, so that's great news. Go find another scapegoat, Meyers is going to show you the fuck up!
I think the verdict is where most of us were at before: Leonard still has a lot of potential, and don't trade him just yet.
Meyers isn't a 'win now' piece. He's the future. I'd consider trading him for a 'win now' piece, but otherwise I agree: no reason to even talk about trading him.
Yeah I'm pretty disappointed with Thomas Robinson. He basically looks like a thicker Billy Barton out there. We might need to decline his 4th year option in the coming summer so we have cap flexibility in 2015-16. I don't want his $4.7 million to get in the way of resigning a starter or being able to sign a nice 6th man.
Wow, we must be watching totally different telecasts. So, you haven't noticed Leonard recently playing Freelandesque straight up defense. Do you recall the play against DeAnde Jordan in the Clippers game where Leonard played perfect defense, protected the rim and prevented the easy dunk by Jordan? BNM
I forgot for a moment that unless people agree with those that only see positives they don't know shit. I won't let it happen again
You are referring to individual plays, while I am referring to his entire body of work in those games. We differ, period
He's at a 15 PER in a limited role off of the bench, and has only a 12% Usage Rate. What more do you want out of the 9th guy in the rotation? Other than that, you look like a genius with you constant negative "Leonar_" posts!
Not to mention his team leading and near elite level TRB% of 19.8. That would be good for 9th in the league if he could maintain it for the entire season. BNM
He has the same PER as Robinson and is a worse defensive player. I don't get why he is playing. My opinion. Certainly not trying to force t on anyone
More bone-headed plays against the Pels for which he was benched. The only thing he's breaking is my spirit.
I repeat... If you expect Leonard to instantly stop making mistakes, you will continue to be disappointed. Mo Williams and Dorell Wright made multiple boneheaded plays tonight and they've been in the league a lot longer than Meyers Leonard. BNM
