I recall reading that Meyers played PG (through high school?) until he hit a growth spurt. I think that explains why he doesn't have the instincts of a Center. But the kid is clearly determined to make it in the league, and given his work ethic and the progress we've seen to this point, I think he'll stick. While he's a long way off from being a C, I wouldn't be surprised if he eventually developed the ability to play the position. But it'll be a long process. I'm perfectly happy letting him develop from the outside in, as a stretch-big. With Freeland we saw the ability to learn rim-protection in a single off-season. There's no reason Meyers can't learn how to go straight up, and I expect that within the next couple years we'll see it happen. I didn't expect this to be the case, but I have more long-term hope for Meyers than I do CJ.
Also, IF he does learn the C fundamentals imagine how good he could be. He already has the basic understanding and skill set of a PG. Combine that with the skill set of a C and you've got a very versatile and dangerous C!
Agree there. I would even put Crabbe ahead of CJ. I would have no problem trading CJ. He played 4 years in college, I don't see the upside with him. He's not a good shooter, at all.
I was also about to bring up the "late growth spurt" thing, but it doesn't seem to affected Anthony Davis much.
He's 44% from 3...not at all? He played 4 years in the Patriot League. He scored against guys from Navy. He's not even 60 games into his pro career. >700 minutes. I think we're getting a bit too impatient. And anecdotally, he's not scared of taking a shot, he shows decent handles, and can do many of the things (spot up, come off picks, drive and stop-and-pop) that SGs should be able to do. Again, 59 games into playing against pro-caliber athletes for the first time in his life.
Couldn't agree more. CJ knows how to play and is worth the wait. Meyers may never overcome his lack of instinct. He may become a Bonner type guy but only if he learns to not give back the points he just scored by making a defensive mistake. Bonner isn't afraid of contact either. Eventually, 7'1" isn't going to mean much if he doesn't toughen up.
I'm not saying he doesn't have skills - I just don't think they're going to translate well enough to the NBA game...for a winning team. But I DO think he could average 20ppg on a losing team. I don't see a role for him on our team. A lot of that has to do with the fact that he's a tweener, and I generally dislike tweeners. But beyond that, he doesn't fit any of our needs and isn't nearly as polished or game ready as a 4-year player, on a contender/pretender, should be.
I like Meyers. I think he'll develop into a productive NBA player. It may take time, but you just don't find 7-1 guys that are that athletic. I also think he's a good locker room guy. He brings levity to the team.
On a different team, one needing a stretch 4 and one where the star pf hasent stated repeatedly that he likes playing alongside a banger, meyers might be able to get a consistent roll and succeed daily. This is just a very tough team for meyers to stick on and succeed. But I like him, and hope he manages continued growth.
Quoting myself from the Lakers game thread (and agreeing with blue9): "I'm more concerned about him being in proper defensive position and going straight up than blocking shots. The blocked shots will come later. It's obvious Leonard has been working on it - trying to learn what Freeland learned last season. Leonard and Freeland were rookies together, and in spite of being 5 years older and having 6 years of experience playing professionally in Europe, Freeland looked every but as lost as Leonard as rookies. Then Freeland worked hard in the off season to improve his defensive fundamentals. Last year, Freeland became very good at getting good defensive position and going straight up and became a solid NBA backup big man. Now that he has the positioning down, Freeland is challenging and blocking more shots (from 0.8 to 1.1 to 1.3 BLK/36). The younger, less experienced Leonard is learning the same lessons Freeland learned, but is a year or two behind." At this point, if he tried to block more shots, he'd just rack up more fouls. Let him learn fundamental defensive rotations, positioning, and going straight up. Once he has those things down, he can get more aggressive at attempting to block shots. At 7'1" with good leaping ability, going straight up is enough to alter a lot of shots, even if he doesn't block them. Freeland has proven to be a solid, Nick Collison type, contributor. He's 5 years older with a lot more professional experience than Leonard, but he's also a couple inches shorter, less athletic and not nearly as skilled offensively. Right now, Joel gets minutes because of his defense and Meyers gets minute because of his offense. If Leonard can become a solid, if unspectacular defender, he'd be a great asset capable of more than replacing Kaman a couple years down the road. And who knows, if he continues to work hard and develop, 5 or 6 years from now, he may even replace Aldridge as our starting PF. Hey, a guy can dream... BNM
This is my line of thinking, too. I think it's entirely reasonable for Meyers to replace Kaman a couple years from now. It would be amazing if he could replace LMA. If he ever gets to that point I'd drool over the chance of pairing him with Cousins, or someone like Cousins.
Ha, ha. I can't believe nobody flamed you for comparing Meyers to Anthony "Future Hall of Famer" Davis. I'm guessing that post was green font?
I think there's a good reason they extended Meyers and CJ. Both are developing players. Trust Olshey!
I didn't perceive them as equally lost in their rookie years. Freeland looked disappointed that his established moves didn't work in the NBA. He knew what he wanted to do, but needed small refinements in the summer. In contrast, Leonard looked like he didn't know what he should do, and still even now needs constant direction from coaches yelling during the game. You are right about the 6-year head start. Leonard is now 2 years into his 6-year journey to catch up to Freeland's stratospheric rookie level.
I loved Leonard's potential his rookie season. I hated that he showed little to no improvement last season. This year though, he has shown improvement, especially rebounding the ball. Last two games he's had some "man" rebounds. I actuslly think he has potential to turn into a good man defender. I still remember his rookie year when he was matched up against Dwight Howard and held his own. I don't think he'll ever be a shot blocking rim protector but I do think he can be a solid man to man defender. Offensively, a 7 footer that stretches the floor will always have value, especially in Stotts' system.
His rebounding is what catches my eye -- 18.6 TRB% 22 y/o -- I sometimes forget how young he is. I like the Raef comparison. Stotts ought to run the sets PHX used for Frye. CJ otoh looks like absolute garbage.
We coulda had the Greek freak instead were stuck with Urkel . But seriously, mccollum is terrible. I hope for the teams sake he improves but he doesn't deserve to be getting minutes over Crabbe right now.
During Leonard's first run last night, there were a couple of plays where he just could not stay on his feet. The other player hadn't even made a move yet, and he was already hopping off the ground. SMH Then in the second half he was much better. He established position and just made the offensive player take a tougher shot. That's all you can do. Sometimes they just make them. When they do you just carry on. But there were several noiceble plays where he stayed on his feet, and the player missed or passed or otherwise the Blazers denied the score. That's the way you do it. Even when you get fucked by the refs because it's Dwayne Wade getting baled out (or Harden, etc.). Meyers will be fine.
