At 22 Meyers is ahead of the curve. He's a keeper. After preseason I crowned him the most improved returning bench player and man did I take flak for that opinion. Guess what...he's the most improved returning bench player! Go Meyers! Last season I didn't know if he'd develop but he has. Kim Hughes deserves some credit and in the past I blamed Hughes for his development. I was wrong.
After seeing Freeland's improvement last season, I was confident Meyers would improve, too (I mean, come on he is 5 years younger with a lot less experience). I was one of the few here that actually noticed improvement last year. Most people we just looking at looking at his scoring and PER and overlooked his improved rebounding and better defensive positioning. So many people we overly harsh (I mean OVER THE TOP harsh) on the guy last season. He was only 21 and you could tell he'd lost confidence in his shot, but still had good form and offensive fundamentals. That makes it especially gratifying to see him start to put it all together this year. He has his confidence in his shot back - and NEVER forces bad shots, and has continued to improve his rebounding and defense. Props to the young man for continuing to work hard and not getting down on himself, and props to Kim Hughes for the great work he's done with all our big men. BNM
2-3 years from now Meyers Leonard will be another version of Reaf LeFrentz. So I'm actually saying yes.
You guys forget that Raef was a terrific shot blocker. I don't think Meyers will ever get those instincts. I do like his play as of late though.
When Stotts first coached Meyers he said he had the potential to be like a Sonics era Shawn Kemp and Freeland a Nick Collison.
I haven't looked back through this thread but I am pretty sure I was one (of many) who said to not extend him. Very glad POR had their own ideas. Anyone else want to fess up?
The day will come when everyone will know this was a silly question. I wouldn't even think about it before I signed him.
Edit: Meyers is early enough in his development and raw enough that we should be able to keep him on a relatively cheap contract, and he's close enough to putting it together that by mid-way through that contract he will be considered a bargain.
Great stuff on Meyers from Kaman http://forwardcenter.net/practice-n...-hospital-kaman-on-his-hit-him-harder-advice/
I saw Kaman say that during the game. I did a double-take, rewound, and watched it again to be sure. I LOL'd. Solid advice, too.
Interesting that he talks about Leonard "zoning out" for a second during games. Kinda makes me wonder if he's a little ADD.
Definitely no ADD. He is one of the more articulate interviews on the team. His "zoning out" is more likely lapses back to over thinking the game and those times are becoming fewer as games go by. As in most endeavors you can only reach peak performance when thinking ahead and anticipation become second nature.
