Oh I wasn't directing that at you or anyone else. It's just that this board seems to be so extremely emotional lately. P.S. I'm totally drinking the Kool Aid
Even if Leonard averages say 10pts per game next year He's the kind of guy that will give up 12pts or more. He's that bad on defense. Last year per 48 he averaged 15pts while his opponent averaged 20pts. He's that bad.
I don't think there's a ton of argument that Leonard was a net negative on the court last year, but it's a new year and new opportunity not to suck. We'll see what happens I guess.
I'm thinking Fireball would bring both sides closer... it just makes you feel all warm and happy inside. Who's in?
I just think too many people write it off as him being young and a rookie and he'll automatically become a good defender/rebounder with time No, it doesn't happen like that. There's not some guaranteed linear progression with young players. Some players just suck in certain areas and that's just what they are. The major knocks on Leonard coming into the NBA were very apparent last year, and guys don't automatically shed those weaknesses. JaVale McGee is still stupid. Bosh and Aldridge were both labeled soft coming into the NBA and still get put in that discussion. Andre Miller never learned to shoot 3's. Major weaknesses don't just magically go away
Funny you mention that... I will be vising Mt. Rushmore next week and I have no plans to eradicate per se, I was just thinking about spray painting a handlebar mustache on Lincoln and a Lillard jersey on Washington.
Actually I think the cyanide will do the killing but we can make a ton of cash selling Kool Aid... unfortunately that will limit repeat business... maybe we need to rethink the business model
You do realize he was a 20-21 year old rookie and his average opponent was older and more experienced, right? Because, if you do, you would not find that stat in the least bit surprising or disconcerting. Andre Drummond who was picked ahead of Leonard, came in 4th in ROY voting and who EVERYONE seems to thinks is an absolute beast, scored 18.4 points per 48 minutes and gave up 20.9 - and difference of -2.5 points per 48. So, I'm glad you are so optimistic about Meyer's future, because if he scores 10 points and gives up 12, as you predict, he's a better center prospect than Andre Drummond. I find that very encouraging. Thanks for pointing this out and sharing your optimism with the board. You really are a ray of sunshine. BNM
A center that actually shows signs of life when it comes to rebounding and defense I don't want a center that is practicing his freaking 3pt shot
Here is what makes the Lynyrd detractors so cranky: he can suck again next season and it won't matter. 3 or 4 years from now he can be out of the league....and people will still be claiming he is going to break out any day now and become an All Star. Optimism is one thing - but when you piss on somebody's shoes and tell them it is just a pleasant summer shower, you are going to get a negative reaction. Past history has made us poor realists feel rather put upon!
Btw when you look at actual production on 82games.com for Detroit's whole roster Drummond OWN - 23.5 OPP - 19.5 Net - +4.1 With his ON/OFF court he's a net +2.9 He had the highest simple rating for the players that got regular minutes for the Pistons When you look at the same stats for Leonard all you can do is shake your head at how bad they are in comparison.
Fair enough that some centers progress and some don't. Lets look at why. One reason is that they simply get buried deep on a bench because the team is trying to win now, and they never get the time to improve. I don't think that will be the case for ML, at least not this coming year. Another reason is bad attitude. Thinking they deserve this or that and the coaches should listen to them. They get in the doghouse and don't open themselves up to learning. I havent heard anything but very positive things about ML's attitude. Another reason is they are dumb or unable to learn plays, or rotations. Outlaw had a hard time with this, it kept him from every really succeeding. This could be ML, I really don't have a grasp on his intelligence. I have not heard that he can't learn a play or figure out when to rotate, but I suppose that's possible. Not physically gifted enough to do what needs to happen at the center spot. Some skinny players get abused, some slow footed players get left behind. I see absolutely zero evidence that ML is anything but a top athlete. Injuries. ML has been healthy so far. Basically, there are reasons why people fail, and I really don't see any of those reasons prohibiting ML from improving year over year. Especially when you consider how new he is to being a BIG in general. It seems to me that ML will more than likely be a good player at some point. This year might be early, but hopefully he at least shows some improvement. But to be so negative about ML without giving reasons why you think he is going to be one of the losers, seems like you are just trolling.
The question is irrelevant. Exchanging Leonard for Drummond isn't going to happen and Drummond was off the board when Leonard was drafted. If I get to pick anyone and they have to play for me, I'll take LeBron James, thanks. But, that's not going to happen either. So, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. So, we can either cry about something we don't and can't have, or we can hope for the best from what we do have. Pointing out that the rookie Drummond was also outscored by his opponents just proves that rookie big men rarely reach their full potential in just one season. Is Drummond's potential ceiling greater than Leonard's. Most likely (that's why he was drafted higher), but that doesn't mean Leonard has zero chance to become a decent NBA player. And BTW, I know you're also not thrilled with the Lopez deal, but Lopez outscored his opponents 20.9 points per 48 to 19.7. You should be absolutely thrilled that staring center went from a position of weakness to one of strength. We now have an above average starting center and a promising young backup! BNM
