Can't have EVERY thread be super happy, right? IMO, Plumlee and Meyers were basically the only reason this game was close. From the moment Plums returned to the game in the second quarter to the point when Meyers left the game late in the third, we were outscored 47-32. It seemed that nearly every negative play--bad defensive coverage (including 2 illegal defense T's on MyLe), silly turnover, bad shot, etc.--involved one of those two. They weren't all bad, but they certainly weren't very good. If we're going to be a good team this season, that can't become a trend. Hurry back, Festus!
Defense will improve greatly when we can pair Ezeli with Davis/Aminu/Vonleh. Really excited for Ezeli's comeback, he could be a crucial player in turning this team into a proper contender (long shot as I don't believe it's yet good enough to compete for championship). His room for improvement is quite significant if he can stay fit.
We just lack size and that's why having festus for thursday would be ideal but it's not gonna happen. Always get ate up by DJ and Blake Griffin.
But Fabio can shoot wide open 3"s, so his illegal screens and his complete and total lack of defensive awareness doesn't matter
Im really looking forward to this lineup: Dame CJ Crabbe Leonard Ezeli Then i'm also excited to see this lineup: Turner Dame Harkless Vonleh Ezeli Hello, I cant wait to see THIS line: CJ Dame Aminu Davis Ezeli Wait... What about this lineup? CJ Dame Aminu Vonleh Davis And man what about this lineup? CJ Dame Turner Leonard Davis I can go on and on and on and...... God I love our depth and I love this team overall. Not every player is going to be perfect, but where certain players have short comings, we have others that excel in that very area. NO has really covered all of our corners very well!!!!!
Mase and Meyers together are average at best, but with Layman added to the mix last night, the three of them had something special going. Ivory towers? No--they are "Tres Leches"!!
Thing is, any three dudes can be three amigos. But only dudes with near-translucent milky white skin can be "Tres Leches!!"
Pretty harsh after his game last night: 15 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk in 22 minutes. People tend to forget that he's just now starting to round into shape after coming back from shoulder surgery.
I fell asleep in second quarter. if he can string multiple games together like that ill glady regret turning on him. but for now, ive turned.
He's had TRB% > 20.0 in three of his last four games. In fact, as a team. we are rebounding much better lately. Last night we had three players with TRB% > 20.0 (Plumlee at 23.4%, Leonard at 22.7% and Harkless at 21%). I can't remember the last time I've seen that. All three of them had a higher TRB% than Anthony Davis (17.0%). As a team our DRB% of 95.2% and TRB% of 60.5% were both outstanding and rebounding was the real reason we won the game last night. Rebounds are possessions and our advantage on the glass resulted in us attempting 100 field goals to their 76 last night. When you get an extra 24 shots at the basket, it makes it pretty easy to win. Until very recently, Harkless was a below average rebounder for the SF position. With his recent push, he's now approaching respectability. Ed Davis didn't have a great game on the glass last night but has also been rebounding much better recently. WRT Meyers, he started slow last year, too and improved his 3FG% every month of the year. He now has a higher 3FG% than Allen Crabbe and has played very well in 2 of the last 4 games (14 pts, 11 reb, +18 vs. BRK and 15 pts, 9 reb and +9 last last night). Not sure why everyone is hating on Leonard when he's out playing Crabbe and makes about half as much. I guess old habits die hard. BNM
If Meyers produces regularly like he did last night..... I will be the first one on the ground apologizing to Hipster Samson as he destroys our Pillars of Doubt.
