Sunday, April 7, 2013

Portland Trail Blazers: Is Meyers Leonard the Future at Middle?

The center spot has offered lots of heartbreak for Portland Trail Blazers supporters. From the early days with Bill Walton to the '80s with Sam Bowie and most recently with Greg Oden, the Blazers have moved through several big men over time. But have they finally found their big man into the future? Lottery pick LaMarcus Aldridge sitting out due to injury and Meyers Leonard has been the recipient of increased playing time consequently of the Blazers being out of the playoff image. The 11th overall pick from last year's draft has weaknesses for certain, but supporters must be encouraged by Leonard's activities within the last week. In the last five games, including four begins, Leonard is calculating 13.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 32.6 minutes. His defense was said to be his strength and his crime was considered a work happening taken from Illinois, however it is been the whole reversal. Leonard has been stable offensively together with his ability to spin to the container, set hard displays and end strong at the edge. His external shooting has been the largest surprise, which was exhibited in a, 10-rebound performance against Golden State on March 30. He actually nailed his first profession 3-pointer. It may look a little unorthodox at times, but it's efficient. He is also a good free-throw shooting at 79.5 per cent. Zach Lowe of Grantland offered Leonard some love nationally, praising the son together of the things he was satisfied with over the past week. Leonard shows he should be able to act as a sophisticated jack-of-all-trades pick-and-roll major, dropping displays, reducing hard in to place, and making reliable and quick decisions about whether to move, attic a floater, or move for a dunk effort. Often those tough pieces suck in defenders, opening up factors for teammates, without Leonard even touching the ball: Meyers Leonard had a career evening with 22 points and 10 rebounds against Golden State on March 30. His greatest weakness, but, is without question his security, that'll hopefully have time. Leonard told Mike Tokito of The Oregonian that it is been his greatest modification to the NBA. aIam still trying to learn just how to guard one-on-one in the post,a he said. aItas an impact going from university where I simply use my athleticism and lay behind people, to where Iam playing in the NBA, banging figures every time down the court. And being forced to defend some guy thatas just totally competent, itas a thing that Iam just maybe not used to right now. I gotta continue steadily to watch film and understand guysa traits and such.a Leonard is a huge pleasant surprise and gives one to supporters of the reasons to watch the rest of the eight games. The Blazers do not need him to become a 20-10 person along side LaMarcus Aldridge. All they require is for him to turn into a presence on the defensive end, rebound the ball, set hard picks and nail the open 12- to 17-foot jumpers. If he does those ideas, he may become Portland's center for the future. Many fans could be happy if he resulted in a player like ex-Blazer Joel Przybilla with an unpleasant game. The Blazers had opportunities to draft large guys Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Andrew Nicholson or Fab Melo with the 11th pick, but they made the best decision by banking on Leonard's potential.

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