Note that I'm not calling for his head or bashing the guy like some tend to do around here. I agree with most of BNM's post and believe that Meyers will end up bringing us some good value, whether on the court or in a trade. It's just, ya know... the whole turnaround, contested, one-footed three thing is soooo playground garbageball style.
Based on your logic, Yes. Of course he's not giving us the same as Robinson, they offer different things. Both direly need experience and there's only one way to get it, to Play. Love T-Rob's hustle game but there is something very special that an Athletic, Healthy, Seven Footer can bring to a Contender.
Stotts is a player's coach and when he sees something he likes, he goes with it. People forget Meyers is 21 years old. My son is a 22 year old senior at Oregon State and when I look at Meyer it puts him in perspective. Robinson is an athletic freak but slow as molasses on the playbook. I want a competitive bench and it looks like we have one!
6 points and 5 rebounds in eleven minutes is pretty good. I'll take that any day. But it wasn't just Leonard's statistics that impressed. He seemed composed and in control, and he made two very fluid shots that came in the flow of the game. In short, he looked as if he belonged on the court, which is a big improvement over his recent performances.
Well then, I guess Thomas Robinson should really feel insulted. He was the 5th pick in the same draft and he got 0 points and 0 rebounds and his coach trusted him enough to play him ZERO minutes. 11 productive minutes from Leonard is a big step in the right direction. Nobody in this thread is saying he doesn't need further improvement, but at least he is making noticeable progress. 11 minutes seems about right for him at this point. If you expect him to start taking minutes from Aldridge or Lopez anytime soon, you will continue to be disappointed. BNM
What, specifically, was Robinson giving us that Leonard is not? Again the sample sizes are small, but they are all we have: Thomas Robinson: PTS/36 = 16.7 REB/36 = 11.5 FG% = .448 FT% = .636 PER = 14.6 ORB% = 12.1 DRB% = 22.6 TRB% = 17.4 USG% = 23.3 ORtg = 103 DRtg = 105 WS/48 = .087 Meyers Leonard: PTS/36 = 11.2 REB/36 = 13.1 FG% = .529 FT% = 1.000 PER = 14.8 ORB% = 11.4 DRB% = 28.0 TRB% = 19.8 USG% = 12.2 ORtg = 132 DRtg = 104 WS/48 = .187 Most of the stats are close, but ironically Robinson scores more PTS/36, but Leonard grabs more REB/36. Of course, Robinson's USG% is nearly twice as high as Leonard's. Leonard scores less, but does so much more efficiently. So, I'll ask again what does/did Robinson give us that Leonard isn't? BNM
Have you actually watched the last 3 games? Either you haven't, or you're so blinded by your hatred of Leonard you have failed to notice his significantly improved defense (and rebounding). Aren't those the two areas you're always giving Leonard shit about - defense and rebounding? Well, he must have been listening, because he's shown significant progress in both areas. He's played much better defense, against some very good opponents, and is now the team leader in both REB/36 (13.1) and TRB% (19.8). He's pulled down 16 rebounds in the last 3 games in 34:04 minutes. That's a REB/36 of 16.9. And, he's been doing it while on the court with guys like Anthony Davis, DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. Yes, the sample size is small, but he's been doing it in close games against top notch competition. He's not padding his stats against 3rd stringers in garbage time. The sample size is small, but the results are very real. Will this positive trend continue? Who knows, but it's nice to see some progress from Leonard. BNM
Well, that or his coach thinks he's actually earned the increased minutes. Perhaps Coach Stotts actually knows more about basketball than you do. Or, is that too illogical for your negative world view? BNM
He certainly knows more about his team. All I know is what I see on the floor, and Robinson has played better than Leonar_ in games
I absolutely agree with all parts of this. But what you're describing is a long way from a "breakout game."
Leonard looked more comfortable and less gawky/awkward/confused on the floor. More fluid, if you will. He grabbed every rebound in sight and played OK defense (frankly, I thought both his defense and rebounding were better than Aldridge's v. the Heat). Breakout game? Nah. Vast improvement and validation that the team should continue to develop him? Yes, IMO.
1) Yes, Robinson should absolutely feel like he's got a lot of work to do. 2) Again I absolutely agree with you about Leonard. But, like Shooter you are in NO WAY describing a "breakout game". Leonard sucks. He's sucked less in the last few games. I am very happy about this as I tend to be an optimistic homer. Maybe he will actually turn into a real NBA player (for us or get us some value in trade). But seriously you can't have a breakout game in 11 minutes. What do I want? Just what the rest of you want. I want a young center who fits our defensive needs who is good enough to be a viable rotation player (viable = a small negative or even a small positive +/-) who is also good enough to become our CotF. Leonard still hasn't shown that he is that player. I am hopeful that by the end of the year he will show that he is that type of player. If not we will need to either trade him or obtain someone to play in front of him.
I keep thinking about that wide open three he passed up v. the Heat. Unlike just about everyone else on earth, I kind of wish he'd shot it. But once he second guessed himself, it was game over, and not shooting it was the right choice. Once a shooter has second thoughts, it's too late.
That's not fair expectations for Leonard. Hey I've been a Leonard hater here plenty of the time, but his skill set is as a floor spacing big. He never had the skills or acumen to be a defensive presence anchoring a team. Fans who want him to fit into a defensive interior mold will never accept him. Plenty of big men have great NBA careers in a variety of roles. I want to see Leonard do what he is best at. This team could really use an extra big man who doesn't suck! If Leonard can contribute more than other backup big men in the league, most of which suck, I will be happy with that.
If we had a player like Asik with Leonard off the bench, I'd be totally fine with it. Unfortunately I doubt freeland is used in a deal now. Asik works well with Lopez, not so much with Aldridge or Freeland.
I'm not a Leonar_ fan at all and I'm probably biased, but if that Miami game was his "breakout" then the word has pretty much lost all meaning.
