I don't think his release hurt him. He just had EXTREMELY good shot selection last year. 1:44 http://on.nba.com/1Ni1n3V The last shot here. He can shoot contested shots, he just chooses not to.
I think Leonard will be on mop-up duty. Now that he traded away the coach he credits most for his development.......... he will crumble before he could show us his true ability.
It's not really a question of "contested," it's a question of how open he has to be in order not to be contested. The quicker one's release is, the less space he needs between him and his defender to get the shot off before a contest. There were times when his defender had floated a few steps away from him and a non-cross-court pass got to Leonard and he began to tee his shot up, only to get closed out on and he pulled it down. I agree, that's wise, but with a quicker release, he could have gotten some/many of those off before the close-out reached him. 45% three-point shooting in a few, very carefully chosen looks is valuable. 40% three-point shooting in significantly more looks is even more valuable.
DUDE!!! You are the man Caravan!!!! Thank you much!!! See!!!???? Im telling you guys are gonna be surprised by this team. This is far from a tanking, cellar dweller in the West, team. If we stay healthy and learn some team D and some good outside in ball with Dame and Connaughton and the bigs, and have CJ and Leonard and Davis come off the bench, I think we will be a dark horse for an 8th spot. You know who has the most pressure now? Stotts. The ball is now in his hands to figure these guys out and teach them how to play together and win, both on offense and D. I want to say one other thing to give everyone props here. I did no research or anything on Plumlee... outside of what other members posted. I only watched posted videos and read the quotes and articles about him and could see the potential. This guy is currently VERY underrated based on what I have read and seen.
Thanks! One thing is this: we will need - NEED - to be healthy to have a shot at the playoffs. If we are healthy, we're Phoenix level "knocking on the door" and playing exciting ball. I'm excited for the changes that are happening.
Fluid mechanics are different for everyone and a so a quick release might work for some, but not others. I don't see Meyers getting too much quicker without his % dropping, which is fine with me, He isnt going to be a first second third option, he is going to be the guy spotting up, getting the pass, fake pumping his opponent and driving to the hoop for a slam, or dishing to Plumlee as his defensive man rotates. Ive also watched the recent video on Meyers, He has Dame type work ethic for sure. Not sure about the drive, but I wounldt doubt that either. Meyers is going to come out a beast I think and watch for more pump fake and drives. Sooo Excited!
I thought Meyers Leonard was a lost cause for a long time. I am willing to change my opine if he comes out ready to kick ass and make opposing players (especially LaMarcus) look foolish!