So far this "new Leonard" has a single decent game (where the bar is set at "not a total train wreck") under his belt. In the two games he really hasn't show any growth or change to his game. He still hesitates, over thinks and plays right into the defenses hands. I wanted him to do good because it would've meant another option for the team, but so far his pre-season hasn't show anything to hang your hat on.
I'm trying to stay silent and patient, because the first game gave me hope, and I'm driving the freaking bandwagon, but I'm staying right next to the shoulder, and I've got roadside assistance on speed-dial, with Uber cued up just in case. If this bandwagon breaks down completely, will there be room for me on the "give the rookies all the PT" bus...?
Yeah, I hope it turns, but I'm losing optimism quickly. He passes on wide open shots that he should take and when he does shoot he hesitates and his shooting percent speaks for itself. It is even more glaring when you see the rooks playing so effortlessly. I would put both of them ahead of Meyers right now. Hopefully he finds a way to reverse that.
I want Meyers to be good because of the cognitive dissonance it would cause the posters on this board. Alas, it appears it's not to be. I may have to seek my sadistic pleasures elsewhere.
Possible teams that might take on Meyers, without consideration to $ (because let's face it, no one really wants his contract): Boston-- Has only Aron Baynes as an actual C. Lost Olynyk. Cleveland-- Has Thompson and a rookie Zizic as C. They want to move Love to C. Memphis-- Gasol could be on the outs depending on how their season goes, and behind him, they have only Brandan Wright as a C. OKC- has essentially only Steven Adams as their C and little to no big man depth. San Antonio-- Has a 40 yr old Pau and Aldridge who doesn't want to play C. Utah-- do they want Meyers to play 15 mpg behind Gobert? None of these are all that likely, but probably moreso than the other 23 teams. Especially given the saturation of shitty big men throughout the league.
ML is know closer to be a good defense player or rim proctector then he was last year. Know reasonable GM would trade for this guy and if they did he properly get fire. Olshey couldn't even put him in a trade as filler that would kill the deal automatically. Olshey made a bad decision of signing him back period.
What about Meyers for Shumpert and we use our TPE to take Channing off their hands? (saving them a shitload this year) Or Meyers/Aminu for Shumpert/Frye if they want another guy who can play proficient D on Durant/Draymond? Meyers is bad but if he can just focus on post D (decent @ man), spotting up, and setting picks it seems like he could be serviceable, especially to a team in need of floor spacing like Cleveland.
Meyers/TPE for Frye and a 2020 2nd round pick? Shumpert is hot garbage, which sounds like a steal considering we're giving them cold garbage, but he's still garbage.
I have been holding off. I wanted to give ML a few games to get in the flow. Seems like he is trying to be more aggressive, so I will give him that. Still hesitates when he should push. Still shoot that un needed fall away jumper, instead of squaring up and letting loose. Still gets lost in the defensive flow..meh, I have to agree with most here, the "New" ML looks like a lighter version of the "Old" ML.
I think this board is jumping ahead of themselves. This is a guy that's only been with the team for 5 years. He's an athletic 7 footer that's hard to find. He's got a ton of potential. We need to be patient. I say give him another quarter in a pre-season game, and then we can come to the conclusion he's bad....
