I had high hopes for Leonard coming into this season, but Harkless has been a real revelation to me. When Meyers went down tonight against the Jazz, I was surprised at how relieved I was to know we had another, even younger, young stud in there to take his minutes. And that's the thing--we're so used to thinking of Leonard as the young developing kid, but Mo is a year younger. With Aminu quite capable of playing the stretch 4, you get so much more activity and speed with that lineup of Lillard/McCollum/Harkless/Aminu/Plumlee. It probably means playing Crabbe more as well, which isn't great, but maybe it's time to see what Conaughton has got.... I don't know how long Leonard is going to be out--maybe he's coming back for the next game. But I think he just lost his starting job.
It's a pretty small lineup we'd be putting out there, and we're also gutting our bench to put him in... but I loved the energy the group had.
Also, with our starting backcourt's complete inability to keep a guard in front of them on every pick, having Harkless out there allows us to more easily switch (much like GS does). Meyers has been pretty useless on defense at PF because he's being dragged out 18 feet on every pick, where his lack of speed is getting exposed.
Yeah, it's very small. Probably smallest in the league. We may have trouble with that. But it's a lot more athletic and quick. If Henderson can come back soon it may resolve some of our bench problems.
Hell, if Meyers starts getting his mind right, he might be a big help off the bench too. I think he and Davis would work well together.
Good point! This is not the year you want to be missing time. We have enough young talented players that if you find yourself missing 3 games, you may end up coming off the bench should you be able to play the 4th.
bc of THIS they've FINALLY started winning I wish those losers wouldn't have stumbled upon this/something that works; I wanted them to keep on Lakering it up!
I hope you are right. Also, let's not forget Chris Kaman. I know we're investing in development, but I don't approve of Kaman being permanently benched. Keep in mind that Gerald Henderson will probably take Allen Crabbe's spot. Connaughton falls to the bottom of the chart.
Leonard had a great playoff series and has become a much more effective player but I think he should still be a role-player, maybe as a stretch 4, at least until he further improves on defense
Vonleh is better than Leonard right now, plays smarter and understands the game more intuitively, there's more to basketball than numbers
He's 20 years old and was worthy of a lotto pick. It sure looks like he was acquired to be groomed to be our PF in the future.
The talent is there. I used to say the same thing about jermaine. Vonleh seems like a sharp kid and he has the measurables to be elite. TROB is really undersized to play the four and he never really showed the aptitude that stotts required. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Vonleh is pretty active on defense. He can't finish shit though and doesn't really understand his role in the offense. Needs a few more years.
Harkless is fuckin awesome. The dude has deceptively good handles, a decent post game, and a smooth jumper. Love his effort on the boards. Dumbass Orlando team gave him up for nothing. Can't believe he's only 22. Meyers can take his time comin back -- I wanna see Hark getting 30 mins at SF.
I don't think Mayers is in Olshey's future plans anymore: If he'll bounce back and give you 12ppg (in good %) +7rpg than he'll get max offers in this crazy market and god knows he's not worth it so we'll lose him. If he'll continue to stink then why extend him? or maybe he'll become a Matt Booner\Anthony Toliver type of niche dude off the bench. I say we should invest more time in Harkless and start with a frontcourt of Plums-Aminu-Hark. Aminu is 6'10 and he gave LMA hell when he played against him, that smaller lineup is legit in today's NBA.
