So he knew exactly who he was talking about when he mentioned Portland finding someone on an expiring. He thought he was slick.
Bieb has got a lot better in the last couple of years. He still has all the physical tools and he is smart. It is just that he needs to be much quicker in his decision making. He went from too slow to acceptable - this made him a good 3rd string rotation player in the last couple of years. If he can move from acceptable to good he will be a starter in this league, and if he can move from good to quick - he will be a star. I honestly think that there is a good chance he can become good for a year or two before his athletic gifts start to decline. Taking the extra step beyond that - I will be surprised - you usually see it given the amount of time he has been in the league - but he is not worthless - and I suspect he has at least 4-5 more years in the league as a productive player. To be fair, if he was paid $5m/year - no one would have complained about him (oh, who am I kidding, of course some one would, they just should not have). The problem with him is frankly, he got paid on potential and has not lived to it so far.
so then it sounds like a worst case scenario is that Whiteside will be a rich-man's JJ Hickson who might get traded for something better at the deadline. And best case scenario is a motivated-by-contract-year-and-Dame's-leadership DPOY & rebounding champ candidate all that for Mo & Meyers. What's the downside again?
If it were only one game, no one would really have an issue with it. There have been many other equally head-scratching moves that are very reasonable to at least question. Also, even if it was just one game (which hasn't been the case) WHY IN THE NAME OF BILL SCHONELY would a coach ever design that type of game plan? That doesn't seem out of the realm of objectivity to ask.
Worst case is he really doesn’t have the ability to set timely screens that hamper the guards PnR and/or that he hangs at the rim and all the slashers that continually get by Dame and C.J. learn to shoot floaters before they get to the rim. I don’t think it will end that way, but it is a plausible worst case—the one that lead to his Miami exit.
I'm with @andalusian on this a bit. I think, while not "star", Meyers can do some real good on a good team--as-is. I think if he gets more reps and confidence it he can be a starter. I don't see "star", but good. For me, it's a "sad I gave up something of value, but you have to to get value back" situation.
Head scratching from fans don't concern me as I can guarantee you that there will always be someone scratching their head. Just because a fan doesn't agree with a decision doesn't mean it was a wrong or bad decision.
My issue with Leonard has always been his basketball instincts as he seems lacking ion that area and holds him back from being a good NBA player. Instincts also aren't something that is easily taught.
When we drafted Leonard, I believed he could be an all-star. I am now dying from old age waiting for him to develop into a starter. I wish him well, but he had plenty of chances, over many seasons to get it.
Let's be honest: the Blazers coddled Leonard. Now that he is out in the cold, cruel world and has to actually earn a paycheck, there is the very real possibility that he will get better as a player. That doesn't mean he would have become productive staying in Portland, or that the trade was a mistake.
Btw do you know which episode this was? Just so I don’t waste time listening to the wrong one on my drive home lol
I know he didn't start playing hoop till junior senior year in HS and not long in college. It was obvious that he didn't grow up playing hoop because he was mechanical and uncomfortable. Since he's been here the last seven years he's finally getting a natural feel & confidence, the pick up games in the LA summer have helped him too. He will really enjoy Florida and I expect his game to improve annually.
LMAO at anyone thinking Miami traded for Meyers because of what they think he can bring to the court. He was simply an expiring deal. The playoffs didn't elevate his value because a couple games don't out-weigh the 7 year sample size.
I wanted to waive him for a long time, but i'll give credit when it's due: Meyers was a solid player this year. I'd take him over at least 40 players in the league right now.
Lolll yeah, the Heat have a better version of Meyers anyway in Olynyk. I wouldn’t be surprised if Meyers finished the season somewhere else. He’s got the more attractive contract.
The one in question had players scratching their head.... Hes not a good coach. We win in spite of him.
