Joe Freeman @BlazerFreeman 1m #Blazers coach Terry Stotts said he went with Leonard over Robinson, in part, because he wanted to space the floor vs the Pelicans. It is bullshit. The Blazers have plenty of guys that can space the floor. You don't need Meyers. Somethings going on.
Solid analysis . . . and fits with Stott's vague statement about spacing. Like others, I see potential in T-Rob and like the energy level he brings. He seems to have a nose for the ball that Leonard does not. But in the end, who plays may be a product of Freeman more than anything. Who plays better with him in that second unit, T-Rob or Meyers. Freeman sure has come a long way in one year.
A BIG man who can space the floor. Apparently because of what is written below this post, Meyers might be better at that than Robinson.
Ooooo 33 outside the paint out of 125 total shots? So 26% of his shots are outside the paint? That's just staggering. Definitely sounds like "a lot of long low percentage jump shots."
I actually thought Leonard played pretty well tonight. He's learning how to use the verticality rule. Missed a bunch of defensive rebounds but so did Joel and no one is killing Joel for it...
This has a LOT of responses, some are serious. And to those calling shenanigans on spacing, Leonard is a better shooter than T-Reb. It's not even close. He passed up an open jumper that he'll need to take (link). He has the opposite problem that Barton does, worried that he'll get in trouble for not making the extra pass rather than taking the shot. It will only improve if he's put in these kind of "real game" situations. Meyer's admitted after the game to blowing some box outs, but all the more reason it's important to put him in situations when his play matters. Invaluable experience for the big guy and I hope he can clean that up and get his hands on more boards moving forward.
Leonar_ was a big pile of shit out there. Can't rebound, can't play defense. Those two things are WAY more valuable than whatever BS 3 pointers he is going to jack up I lost a lot of faith in the coaching staff tonight
He got 4 rebounds in 10 minutes, and we outscored the opposition during the short time he was out there. For someone who has been widely considered a waste of a roster spot, I don't know how much more you would want.
Yes, I was going to go to the trouble to type that when Stotts said Leonard would provide spacing, he was criticizing Robinson's spacing. But you said it, so I don't have to.
There is always an ulterior motive, or conspiracy. Nothing is ever taken at face value around here. We're in the twilight zone! doo doo, doo doo, doo doo, doo doo.
You think that Robinson not playing was just an accidental oversight by Stotts? Not a conscious decision with a reason?
T-Rob has played well at times and he plays with a lot of hustle. I suspect Leonard has earned some playing time and Stotts decided to reward him. Also, our bench has had some iffy games of late. It never hurts to see what different combinations bring.
Accidental oversight? No. Someone had to lose minutes in order to give another player a chance, and TRob was the most logical choice for Myers to take minutes from. Stotts wanted spacing, simple as. TRob is lost on offense, and Myers is lost on defense. Pick your poison.
If you take out the NOP game he didn't play and the Phoenix game where everyone played (the high and the low) he was averaging just a shade over 6 mpg. In those 4 games: 4-16 FG (.250), 2.5 pts and 2.5 rebs. That really isn't enough minutes to show what you can do but there has to be some positives to keep those minutes and there weren't many. Despite Meyers' deficiencies, he does space the floor better and can rotate with Freeland as to who is playing C/PF. Hopefully he can do a little more with his minutes than T-Rob did with his. I like Robinson's energy but it seems somewhat unproductive at this time.
I actually some some small improvement, he did pick up a man coming inside (not his) several times and altered the shot but no on else stepped up to get the rebound - not his fault on that.
Good point. If he is going to challenge shots, his teammates need to recover behind him to grab rebounds since he likely isn't in great position after attempting the block. Aldridge has done a better job of that his year with RoLo. Now Freeland and Wright need to do the same behind Meyers. He certainly has a long way to go but hopefully we see improvements here and there.
Meyers does have a long way to go. In the post-game interview he pointed out pretty much all of his mistakes, and talked about the stuff the coaches are working on with him, so at least he is aware of the things he needs to do to get better. He has the physical tools and the desire and motivation to be an NBA basketball player. It's just going to take a couple of years. And it starts now.
