It was really nice to see JJ in the second unit towards the end of the Indiana game. It's obvious our bench would greatly benefit from that. So the question becomes, would starting Meyers help or hurt his development?
Those two options aren't mutually exclusive. He isn't ready, but I'm okay with that. Start him, especially post-ASG or post-Trade Deadline. No need to showcase JJ after that.
If the games mattered too much, he might lose confidence (see Cliff Robinson's sudden playoff phobia post-1991). But after the All Star Break, we should be solidly out of the playoff race, and the stress will be off.
I voted no, and although Hickson is not a member of my family we do hold hands. It was close for me, but I said no because I think Leonard should be getting about 15min a game right now, and until he learns how to concentrate on rebounding better should remain on the bench. I think Meyers is the future center for the Blazers, and will be great at it, but right now he just makes too many mistakes and poor rotations. And what type of a message does it send to sit someone with as many double doubles as Hickson for a great dane puppy?
I disagree with the question, your options, the poll.....this whole goddamned process! I'm out of order?!! You're out of order! This whole website is out of order! You want the truth? You can't handle the truth. You see this watch? You see this watch? . . . That watch costs more than your car. I made $970,000 last year. How much you make? You see pal, that's who I am, and you're nothing. Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? Fuck you! Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here, close. You think this is abuse? Over? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!
If it were the start of the year I think you'd have to argue he's a better fit as a starter. But at this point you have reward Hickson for his work. Let Leonard take up as many minutes as possible backing up both LMA and Hickson.
I don't agree with the "rewarding" Hickson. It's not necessarily a slight to move him to the bench. He could still get significant minutes at the 4 and 5, playing some time with part of the starters, and being a little more of a focus offensively when he's on the floor with the reserves. Plus, I don't expect JJ to be here next year - let's do what we can to develop the future.
Wow could I not disagree more. The Blazers feel Leonard is the C of the future, and Hickson is either the back up PF, traded at the deadling for something or left to simply walk player of the future. The message it sends is we are rebuilding and need to see what Meyers can do with the starters. Or our defense sucks ass and we need to see if Meyers can help that
I say he ain't ready right now, but he'll be as ready as he'll ever be by mid-February. Find two or three consecutive games against teams with as favorable a matchup at center as possible, and give him a shot...
We don't know if the Blazers are just going to let him walk or if they are going to burn 7mil of cap space to keep his bird rights. But, if they do plan on keeping Hick, they should treat him with some dignity. Also, if you sit Hickson it looks bad to the rest of the league like we are trying to kill his value. This is shady and players take note of stuff like that. Also, there are different types of players. Some, like Lillard, do great being thrown into the fire, but others get their confidence shaken up. I watch Meyers and I am really not sure which category he falls into. But so far, I see him developing pretty well. So, I'm a little nervous to see him carry a full load and end up broken. It comes down to degrees for me. I could be fine with Meyers starting, but by a hair I would choose to keep him as a back up for the time being. After the trade deadline is over, then it could be evaluated anew. And again with 10 or so games left in the season, if the Blazers have decided not to keep Hickson, then perhaps let Leonard end the season as a starter, but for the moment I think back up is good.
Making him the first option of the second unit is dignified. It would get his touches up and possibly increase his PPG. Not taking minutes away from him, just using him differently.
It depends. If you are trying to trade Hickson then you try to play Hickson as much as reasonably possible to increase his value or keep his value up. As far as Myers goes, I'm all for increasing his minutes, but I don't think he's ready to start yet.
