http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/7/2...ccollum-leonard-plumlee-vonleh-aminu-harkless I know this was only on 15 min/game, but that's a pretty good number. Maybe he doesn't get the "d" back yet, but it seems like there is good reason to believe even MM will give him full letters soon.
His steady improvement in holding his position and going straight up on defense was obvious to anyone who was actually paying attention and not just trashing the guy becuase it was the fashionable thing to do. Same with his improved rebounding the season before last. There were so many posters here personally invested in labeling him a bust, they were blinded to his improvement - at least until the Memphis series. Although that was a bit of a coming out party for Leonard, the steady progress and hard work was there all along. BNM
I'm really anxious to see what he can do with more minutes. Will he get tired out and see his efficiency drop, or will the increased game time give him better rhythm? I agree that he looked much better holding his position--which was likely the main reason for his good numbers. He really isn't a great shot blocker, but if he holds his position he is 7'1".
I thought he got it back in the Memphis series, personally. His work against a Marc Gasol gunning to test him in the post was pretty damn good, given the circumstances.
Not bad for a 22-year old most had been writing off as a total bust for the better part of 3 years. What was his PER in the playoffs? Oh, that's right, it was 19.6 - borderline all-star - while going head-to-head with the former DPOY and one of the best 2-way centers in the game. BNM
We really don't know which one he will be until he starts getting 30 minutes. He is trending in a good direction though. I just hope his new wife doesn't derail him. (joking, sort of)
