Blake Griffin has a smaller vertical than Vonleh? That is surprising to me. Especially considering his jump over the Kia in the dunk contest
We have a long way to go on all this, but I remember discussing during the regular season the advantage of having two big men who could shoot the three and also play some in the post. It really messes up the defense because one of those guys has to be open for three. Sounds like a good pairing of Vonleh and Leonard a couple years down the road. They are closer than I would have expected. At the combine Blake was 32/36 and Vonleh 31/37.
I'm kind of the opinion that if you have guy with a PF body and strength but SF agility and quickness he is more likely to take advantage of other PF's than SF's.
If we can't pair DMC with Meyers, then Vonleh/Meyers might be the next best thing! Both have shown some ability to (a) play inside, (b) play outside, and (c) make good passes. If their development continues they could be a force. With the right coach & system the offense could be a thing of beauty: -Two mobile bigs setting screens on the perimeter, opening up the middle for Dame/CJ to attack the basket. -Two mobile bigs setting screens on the perimeter, then ROLLING to the hoop for dunks. -High/low with both players playing either position. -Outlet passes (at least from Meyers...not sure about Vonleh yet) getting the fast break started. -Vonleh grabbing the rebound and starting the break himself! I really think that coaching will be the biggest factor in how good this team can be. We need lots of motion, lots of screens, and lots of passing, with the bigs crashing the offensive boards.
http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/trail-blazers-using-baby-steps-method-noah-vonleh LAS VEGAS – When it comes to going through the process, Noah Vonleh is no exception. The Trail Blazers will not allow their new big man to skip steps as they takeover in his development. Coming off a 13-point, seven-rebound performance in his Summer League debut, Vonleh had another strong outing on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs, finishing with a team-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Vonleh scored 10 of his points in the paint, and converted the team’s only 3-pointer. The Blazers fell to 1-2 after three games, but wins and losses aren’t important, development is. Vonleh took another step in the right direction. “I feel more comfortable this year,” said Vonleh, who battled injuries in his rookie season, preventing him from significant playing time. “I had more time to prepare before I came out here and I feel good.” Unlike most players in Las Vegas, Vonleh is under contract; hence, attempting to make a strong impression for a roster spot isn’t the goal. “Just trying to get some reps, get better and get ready for training camp,” said Vonleh. “It's good to get out here and get more comfortable with the team’s system.” The 6-foot-10 forward did look more relaxed against the Spurs. He led the Blazers with six points in the third quarter, had two strong dunks, thanks to Tim Frazier and Daniel Orton, and returned the favor with his only assist of the game when he found Orton for a dunk. The bucket would help tie the game at 39. At age 19, though, Vonleh still has plenty to work on. He pointed to his defense and wants to be quicker as two areas that need addressing. Blazers assistant coach Dale Osbourne echoed Vonleh’s remarks, adding the he needs to take his time on offense, let plays develop and avoid over-dribbling. This is where the process comes into play. Vonleh is far from a finished product. Not even close. His Summer League play may look good now, but there will be those down games for Vonleh, too. At that point, it’ll be important to stay the course. “Take one step at a time,” said Osbourne. “Right now it’s baby steps and [Vonleh] will continue to get better. We don’t try to overload him. We try to keep it very basic in everything we do. As [Vonleh] starts feeling more comfortable with our system, then we’ll start adding a little bit more.” If there is one player in Vegas that can relate to Vonleh, it’s Meyers Leonard. He remembers being in the same position – a young big man with tremendous upside who just needed to go through the process. Leonard has been behind the scenes talking with Vonleh, explaining the importance of being patient. He tells Vonleh to continue to have confidence in himself, practice repetition “working on his range, working on his touch, watching film, just understanding a lot of different things that will help him.” Added Leonard: “It’s not about making leaps and bounds and proving to everybody that ‘all of a sudden, I’m a player.’ He’s got a lot of room to improve and I think he wants it.” As he continued to discuss Vonleh, it was suggested Leonard was playing the same role as Chris Kaman. The vet took Leonard under his wing, taught him a few things about being a big man in the NBA, and it paid off. “It’s strange how everything can change in a year,” said Leonard. “I had tons and tons of room to grow. I feel like I was kind of in the same place Noah is in. … Bigs take a little longer to develop … but I think he’s going to be a really good player. He’s got to continue to trust in the process and system of the team and believe in himself.” With Leonard, Mason Plumlee, and now Ed Davis on the roster, there are no promises Vonleh will get much playing time next season. It’s still a long way from rotation decisions. But one positive for the Blazers: Vonleh is not this young player stuck in his ways. He wants feedback and absorbs information on how to take his game to the next level. Said Osbourne: “He’s very coachable and he’s not stubborn. … He knows we’re here to help him get better and as long as he has that kind of attitude and work ethic, he’s going to get better.” It’s still early, but the Blazers are liking what Vonleh has shown so far. Tags: TRAIL BLAZERS, NBA, NBA summer league, Noah Vonleh, Chris Kaman, Meyers Leonard Jabari Young covers the Portland Trail Blazers and the NBA for Comcast SportsNet NW. Read his content here at CSNNW.com and see him on TV on Rip City Live, Talkin' Ball and Trail Blazers Pulse.
I don't put too much stock into combine/workout numbers. Take Connaughton for example. He measured in the top 5 of almost every category but I haven't really seen that translate onto the court, and it's just summer league.
My point is that in this NBA you at least need Batum level ballhandling skills to play that position. I'm pretty sure Vonleh shouldn't be bringing up the ball, nor setting up the offense. Just because we see Vonleh display decent handles (we are comparing his handles to LA which completely SUCKED) Doesn't mean he shouldn't be put into a position to where he will best succeed. That position hands down is PF. Also, he's not guarding (in however many years) the likes of that caliber of SF.
In a couple of years I can almost guarantee Olshey is going to be looking to do a consolidation trade of some sort. I wouldn't get too attached.
First of all, Batum is one of the best ball handling SFs in the entire league as well as play makers from that position in regards to his passing ability. He is one of the very few capable of being a point forward. I don't see anyone advocating that. Second, uh, what? When is the last time any SF brought the ball up and initiated the offense outside of LeBron (who complained about it and gave the duties to Matthew Dele)... It is of my opinion you think all SFS should be in the Batum mold, playmaking point forwards. Vonleh CLEARLY would not be that.
