Is Meyers Leonard For Real?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by KingSpeed, Sep 30, 2018.

  1. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    Last night (maybe it was against Phoenix) there was a play where Meyers got the ball in the post and a wing/guard was switched onto him. He proceeded to go with a fadeaway. Dude hasn’t changed. He’s just hitting shots, and even there he’s still hesitating. Why some continue to fall for it, I don’t know. For the sake of the team, I hope everyone on his wagon is right, but at this point for me it’s literally insaaaane.
     
  2. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    Seriously? We have *6 years* of data proving Leonard won't contribute when the games actually mean something. You could make a case that he is worth the vet's minimum to sit at the end of the bench - but when you factor in his contract, he is a ridiculous waste of resources. Furthermore, he is a constant reminder of the flaws in the Blazer braintrust.
     
  3. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

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    Jeezus, nobody is saying he's worth his contract, but you can say the same thing about most guys signed in the Summer of 2016. He looks less shitty, and that's a good thing.

    BNM
     
  4. JoshuaHall

    JoshuaHall Well-Known Member

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    Is your goal to see how slow we can develop players?

    This makes literally no *sense* at all...
     
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  5. 42N8Bounce

    42N8Bounce Red Hot And Rebuilding

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    My goal would be to play the players that are playing the best. Make the players earn their minutes. I don't want to go thru a losing season all for the sake of player development. Goal number one should be to win every game. Look at the finish to last season. Every game counted.
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2018
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  6. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    He used his height advantage to shoot over a shorter player? What a dolt.
     
  7. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    A center shooting a fadeaway 5 feet from the basket, against a guard, is a pussy.

    On a more analytical front, it’s also a lower percentage shot.
     
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  8. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    The point is, people aren't "shitting" on Leonard. There are perfectly valid reasons to be critical of him.
     
  9. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    What I keep noticing about Meyers is that he seems primarily focused on being unselfish and facilitating and executing the offense, usually at the expense of being aggressive offensively. That's sometimes good, sometimes not so good. He even often just defers to his teammates for rebounds, where I'd like him to want to own every one.

    On a side note, some one drilled into him early in his career the concept of maintaining verticality on defense contesting shots, to keep from fouling. Not only does he sometimes look goofy doing it, but it's why he never blocks any shot
     
  10. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

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    Calling him a pussy isn't shitting on him? Yes, people are shitting on him, right here in this thread.

    I agree there are perfectly valid reasons to be critical of him. We've been hearing those same reasons for six years. Repeating them ad nauseum isn't telling us anything we don't already know. He's far from perfect, even far from good, but even if he's only less shitty than in the past, it's a good thing.

    He's never going to be a great (or even average) defender. We all know that, but given our lack of depth up front, if he can offset his woeful defense with some efficient scoring and creating space for others on the offensive end, that's better than nothing.

    BNM
     
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  11. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    Not if it’s the truth.
     
  12. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

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    I mentioned this in another thread yesterday - it hasn't actually reduced his rate of committing fouls, just his rate of blocking shots. As a rookie he he blocked 38 shots, and committed 5.0 PF/36. Last year, he blocked 0 shots and committed 5.1 PF/36.

    BNM
     
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  13. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    Fair enough. If he actually contributes, good for him. (and for the record, while I have compared him to sculpture, I have never used a term like "pussy" to describe him! :cheers:)
     
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  14. James lamphear

    James lamphear Well-Known Member

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    If gives the same effort that he did last night then you play him. He already watch films where he closed his eyes on almost everything due to he was loosing his contacts. He was thinking about wearing googles. Yes he will never be big time rim protector but as long he is aggressive on the boards and he is scoring I say play him.
     
  15. noknobs

    noknobs Well-Known Member

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    No, he played with this type of confidence last year during the preseason, when he shot 54% (71% from three) and averaged 8.4 ppg/5.8 rpg (compared to this years 10 ppg/3.2 rpg).
     
  16. LuckyShot

    LuckyShot Well-Known Member

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    LOL. I was watching the game last night and my wife walked by the TV and literally said "why do they still have Meyers Leonard on the team?" She doesn't follow the team too closely, obviously.
     
  17. Blazers Roy

    Blazers Roy Well-Known Member

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    Some high praise for Meyers from the toughest of critics. Well done Meyers!

    2k23x0.jpg
     
  18. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

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    High praise indeed!

    Seriously, it's like the haters STILL want him to fail so they can be proven right. Honestly guys, how much more proof do you need? Six years not enough for you?

    How about we all just accept Meyers for what he is (and isn't) and consider anything positive he does on the court an unexpected bonus?

    Anything negative he does shouldn't come as any surprise. After six years we are all painfully aware of his shortcomings, but go on haters, feel free to remind us for the millionth time what we can all see with our own eyes.

    BNM
     
  19. DreamKillah

    DreamKillah Active Member

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    The dude looks huge and cut too . . .
     
  20. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    Oh, the irony here from the Crabbe crusader is too good. Thanks for the laugh.
     

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