This is a make or break season for Meyers and he's earned a shot..he's going to play more minutes than he ever has and we'll see where that goes.
I see Leonard as being like Travis Outhouse. If you keep him, you'll just wait forever for him to take that "next step". He teases you with his jump shot, and physical tools.
There's probably some truth to that. The big difference is that Outlaw was 6'8 while Leonard is 7'1. Leonard is also clearly a better passer. (Like, he knows how to.) I know which guy I'd rather have as my one dimensional scorer off the bench.
The key to getting value from a guy like Travis (or Batum, or Mo) is twofold. 1) Don't overpay them. 2) Don't ask them to do too much. Travis had some success as a Blazer because they followed those rules. You could say the same for RoLo. Mo had a team friendly deal, but was asked to take on too big of a role. Batum...let's just say they got it doubly wrong. Leonard is a poor man's Mo. His contract isn't a burden (yet), but he is incapable of handling the role he has been given (starting PF). To make matters worse, he is expecting a big payday that he has yet to earn. The team needs to avoid the mistake they made with Batum. Leonard might be worth keeping as a back-up center - but only if he is willing to be paid accordingly. If he gets greedy, he needs to go the way of Mo and RoLo.
In hindsight, the biggest mistake we made with Outlaw was not trading him before he peaked. We got a breaking-down Marcus Camby for Trout, but if we'd ditched him a year earlier we could've got more. Maybe a decent pick. A lot of jaws were dropping back then over his jumper and his insane vertical. It'd take some huge brass balls to do it, but I could see Portland trading Leonard before the deadline for picks to somebody like Philly. In the end we have a lot of nice young options at PF between Alexander, Aminu and Vonleh, and Plumlee has the starting center job sewn up. I'd like our front office to have more room to get creative with drafting/trading. They seem pretty good at it.
Side note, I noticed this add on a website: Meyers Leonard talking about Financial security?? http://blog.sfgate.com/storystudio/sponsoredarticles/adv/?prx_t=k90BA_hAEAi0QLA
What ever happened to Moe Harkless? In the month of December, he has scored a total of 12 points in 94 minutes of game time, on 33% shooting, and only 20% from 3. Is it just Henderson's presence in the lineup, or Crabbe's emergence? Sure, he's not getting a ton of minutes, but even when he's out there, he suddenly seems invisible.
Yeah, very disappointed that he isn't in more and showing more. I think it is mainly displaced by Crabbe, who has earned it. I can't argue with the coaching decisions on this, but hope that Harkless will fight back at some point.
Crabbe is killing it. I see him as our starting shooting guard going forward, which is great because it means we can really focus on small forward. I think that's our key position that needs to be targeted this summer. I think that we have PG, SG, and C locked down. I'm really pleased with Dame, Crabbe/CJ, and Plumlee/Davis. Unless we're getting someone like DMC, I don't see much need to go after a center. Small forward and power forward are still a bit of a question mark. I like Vonleh, and I'd like to see how he continues to develop, but Aminu is a backup to me. He doesn't provide enough scoring, and with Vonleh and Plums we could really use more consistent scoring out of the SF position.
With Henderson back, crabbe getting more minutes it really seems like Harkless now is uncomfortable and unsure of his roll on the court. He needs to remember to just bring the energy and crash the boards like he was before instead of just standing around look confused.
I would trade Meyers for a the Philly pick (from LA, top 3 protected), or their first rounders from MIA and OKC in an instant. And I don't anticipate Neil struggling with either decision. He doesn't seem as attached to these young guys as the old regime was with the likes of Trout, et al. Also, holy shit @Philly possibly having 4 first rounders this year.
Regarding Harkless, I would posit that Stotts just doesn't know how to utilize wing players. In all his years here we RARELY see wings make cuts to receive the ball in motion moving towards the hoop. I suspect Harkless would be terrific in this sort of role, but Stotts just doesn't know how to make it happen.
I think in Stotts system it's set up for 1 and 2 guards to score and the 3 to defend the other teams scoring threat, shoot the deep ball or set screens and facilitate more of the offense.
Pretty much sums up my post in the trade deadline thread, we would be a willing trade partner if we had ANY tradable assets. No one wants what we got cause what we got aint shit.
we have CJ but most likely think of him as a keeper, question here, would you or other posters trade CJ straight across for Nerlens Noel?
That would be a REALLY tough call, I'm really glad I dont have to make it! I love CJ's game but him and dame are the same player when it comes down to it and it serves a need for both teams I think if they offer then I'd certainly entertain it try and get a little more than just Noel but Im not going out there and shopping CJ. Chemistry is key for a young squad like ours; building a winning atmosphere, and I don't think you do that by actively shopping your 2nd best player mid season. We're in a wait and see mentality with regards to this season and we will make necessary moves in the offseason. Just not right now.
I don't think it's anything the other players are doing. Harkless looks like the type of guy who loses his confidence when his shot is off, like all he thinks about is the last miss and not wanting to repeat it.
