Not my thread, but I'll answer anyway. Fact is we've seen several good games from Leonard. The biggest concern has been his ability to play consistent NBA-level ball. He's shown that. He's not an all-star; he's not even aa starter. But he's a legit contributor, someone you can trust to come into the game, do his job, and not hurt the team defensively, while also bombing a couple threes. He's a pretty decent asset at this point, which is more than what the OP ever thought he'd be.
I used to think he was a lost cause. A player that had no business being on the floor. Always a step slower without every getting into rebounding position or fouling instead of getting to the best defensive position. My prompt has been what I've seen in the last 3 games. Regardless of production, the effort is finally there. He seems more aware of where to be and what to do when you get there. Because of that, there is hope. There is the confidence I get when I see a player that understands the game. That's all I ask because with time and awareness, getting better is all downhill.
I don't think we've seen enough to say everything we thought of him was wrong. I hope he has brought his game to a new level. He can certainly shoot and rebound, and his defense looks improved.
All I've said before was I just want to see the effort and forward progress. He's been doing that now. Obviously he's a long way from being starter material, but I think by next season, he will be a key player off the bench. Not bad for a 3rd year player...
I have been a big supporter this whole time. This kid is just scratching the surface. If he continues to be coachable he will be a gem one day. Still has a very long way to go, but now we can be more confident that he will get there.
Having argued Meyers value with Mags and others in the past, mags deserves some credit for starting this thread. Well done mags! Meyers will continue to get better but probably still make a couple of stupid moves in each game. He's really young and raw but his upside is something to look forward to. Kaman is a rental..we're going to need Meyers next season.
it brings up a non-trivial point, though...his extension would kick in at the same time as Leonard's. Do you do the Steph Curry thing where you offer him kind of a lowball offer this October, or do you watch him another year, let him go to RFA in order to let the market (a la Batum) dictate what you're going to give him?
I think you offer the lowball deal. He doesn't seem money driven as much as driven by team success and comfort level with the organization. Nothing like a couple of bad chemistry experiences to make a guy at his stage in his career want to stick around here
Wait, Leonard's extension kicks in at the same time as Leonard's? I assume you mean Dame's? I would go for low-ball offer at the end of this season (assuming he continues to improve) but if he doesn't take it then I might think twice about matching a big RFA offer (if there was one).
Buzz Killington here. I think it's a bit early yet to be declaring Meyers a legit NBA player. He has to settle into the regular role and make less mistakes on defense, meaning, these last few games he has been in an unusual situation against less than stellar competition. To me, he'll be legit when he shows the toughness to rebound and defend the rim for a season in a backup 4 or 5 role without costing the team defense more than he scores. That being said, he has produced pretty well in the emergency role and it is nice to see some improvement. You have to like Meyers and his attitude.
I'm pretty far from voting him into the allstar ballot but I'm giving you the trophy here for the Buzz Killington reference!
A young worthless player gets minutes....... and gets better. Funny how that has happened over and over and fucking over. I wonder who the next "horrible" player will be, who will prove he belongs once he gets more experience and more minutes.
11/6/1 in 20 minutes. That's an average game for Kaman, out of Meyers "goddammit" Leonard. He's done this three games in a row. This is cause for celebration.
