If we want to win games we play Kaman and Vonleh rides pine. Ditto Henderson/Crabbe (which hopefully we do when Henderson is back). Regardless of whether Leonard starts or not, he deserves a minimum of 20mpg this season so we know what to do with him come Trade Deadline/summer. But yanking him from the starting line-up right now would be a huge mistake (other than for injury purposes).
Yeah Leonard should be getting 20-24. The injury might be a natural point to "ease him back in"... if he kills it off the bench, and Harkless kills it as a starter, maybe that's better for everyone, like how Outlaw played better off the bench and Batum played better as a starter... ...bad example, but you get what I mean.
Do you know the first rule for trying to escape from a hole? STOP DIGGING! Too many other players fighting for playing time to keep making excuses and giving Leonard a free pass. If you keep handing him chances he hasn't earned, what kind of a message does that send to all the other young guys?
I am good with this when everyone is healthy. Dame-CJ CJ-Henderson Harkless-Crabbe Aminu-Davis Plumlee-Leonard Vonleh is the odd man out though. He needs some minutes
He kind of has earned it. He played well in the playoffs and preseason. So far he has 5 bad shooting games. He needs to step it up if he wants to continue to play, but I would argue that he did earn those minutes to start the season.
umm, giving up on Leonard now would be pretty stupid. I might agree come the end of the season, but not now.
Putting him on the bench isn't giving up on him... in fact, I think it'd help him tremendously at this point in his career.
Leonard had a pretty good game against Memphis. Easily his best all year. Meyers really benefits by playing against big slow guys who take longer to close in on his slow release. But it was funny listening to Chris Webber say that Memphis' style just isn't going to work in the modern NBA. Maybe the Leonard/Plumlee front court solves a problem that is largely going away (except against a few teams like Memphis, Spurs and Clips). I think Leonard's natural position is center, but he's not even remotely close to outplaying Plumlee to have that starting job. Maybe having him come off the bench for Plumlee is the right call. Play each 10 minutes and distribute minutes at the end of the game based on who is doing better. In a tight game where free throws come into play at the end, I'd definitely rather see Meyers out there. Plumlee is just painful at the stripe.
After seeing this game, I'm good w/ starting him (playing him as many minutes as we can) against all the teams you listed ^; now against the rest of the league... I'm w/ you on having him come off the bench most of the time w/: IF the chance comes to trade/package Meyers to get a better player(s)... I'd do it in a heartbeat; if we don't get a deal that makes sense/is any good, I'm ok w/ keeping him but I think the best move is to move him this year before we have to pay him/while he's an asset/has the most value. I love how the team plays w/ Moe; I'm a fan of starting him/playing him more minutes most nights
Leonard has improved in his shooting, but I still don't see a lot that Leonard brings to the table that Harkless doesn't do better. Really hoping Stotts uses the Lillard/CJ/Harkless/Aminu/Plumlee lineup down the stretch against the Spurs. Aldridge is going to take his jumpshots anyway, so you might as well make him move around a lot on the other end.
I just think Meyers is a backup quality player. But some loser-ass team is probably going to give him a re-donkulas contract next offseason and end up with buyer's remose.
Only thing I'm looking for from Meyers this season is player development. It's been 8 games guys, give it some time.
Part of what made Meyers seem awesome was that he filled the backup center role we tried to give to Hawes, and did it better than Hawes. Leonard is a quality reserve, but doesn't have enough tools to start yet.
