Draft Results: Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard, Will Barton.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I remember a few years ago, all of the players got together like a month before training camp and starting working out at the practice faciility together. I don't think the coaches were allowed to work with them yet (I could be wrong on that, but it sounds vaguely familiar) so the players just did it all themselves. It looks like maybe we got half the team there now. With so many new guys this season, I sure wish we could have seen all of the players come together a bit earlier this year.

[GreenRiddler]

I'm so excited about these 3 rookies. I really think we got our guy in Lillard and a couple steals in Leonard and Barton... 30-35 wins will be fine with me if we see major improvement and land a stud like Shabazz.

I like the rookies too, but if 30 wins, is is doubtful we get a stud like Shabazz.

Correct me if I am wrong but when we got the last 1 pick we won the same amount.

[GreenRiddler]

You know what I just noticed? Meyers is taller than Javalle McGee and can jump higher than him. I am really intrigued to see what he does. I think if Freeland or Hickson struggle -- I doubt Freeland does though -- we could see Meyers start!

[JD45]

You know what I just noticed? Meyers is taller than Javalle McGee and can jump higher than him. I am really intrigued to see what he does. I think if Freeland or Hickson struggle -- I doubt Freeland does though -- we could see Meyers start!

McGee has 7-6 wingspan vs 7-3 for Leonard. And McGee was measure at a 9-6 standing reach versus 9-0 for Leonard.

Standing reach varies a lot, so maybe not that much difference, but McGee is the longer player even if he is not as tall.

[Goldbum]

Meyers is going to be a total stud. He's DM'd me a few times on twitter and just seems like a genuinely awesome guy. I feel the same way about D.Lill as well. I'm probably biased because I'm a Homer and I want these guys to succeed so bad but if it wasn't for the stigma of white stiff center and small college bust I think both of those guys are gone before our picks.

[Shem]

Will Barton after taking a nasty hit going to the rim during a pickup game at the Blazers practice facility.

[SuperRaptorsFan]

will Meyers Leonard start? if not, who will?

[Johnlac1]

Meyers is going to be a total stud. He's DM'd me a few times on twitter and just seems like a genuinely awesome guy. I feel the same way about D.Lill as well. I'm probably biased because I'm a Homer and I want these guys to succeed so bad but if it wasn't for the stigma of white stiff center and small college bust I think both of those guys are gone before our picks.

Speaking as a Bucks fan and someone who saw a fair amount of Big Ten games last season, the rap on Leonard was nothing to do with his athletic ability (which everyone raved about), but the fact that his game was so raw. Two players in the conference who contested Leonard as best big man were Cody Zeller and Jared Sullinger. Neither was as long or athletic as Leonard, but both were clearly better players. Most experts thought Leonard should have played at least one more year of college ball to develop. Myself included. Not only his game but his maturity were questioned. Leonard had one game last year where he simply broke down and sobbed on the bench after Illinois got whipped by a weak Nebraska team. When they talk about upside, well, Leonard certainly has a lot of that. But getting to where he's a solid or better pro is another question. I think Leonard can make that jump, but he'll probably have a very rough year or two before he makes it.

[SuperRaptorsFan]

Will Meyers Leonard start at C? Or Freeland?

Maybe Hickson too?

[DusterBuster]

Will Meyers Leonard start at C? Or Freeland?

Maybe Hickson too?

Your guess is as good as ours at this point. Coach Stotts doesn't even know who's going to start at C yet.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Meyers is going to be a total stud. He's DM'd me a few times on twitter and just seems like a genuinely awesome guy. I feel the same way about D.Lill as well. I'm probably biased because I'm a Homer and I want these guys to succeed so bad but if it wasn't for the stigma of white stiff center and small college bust I think both of those guys are gone before our picks.

Speaking as a Bucks fan and someone who saw a fair amount of Big Ten games last season, the rap on Leonard was nothing to do with his athletic ability (which everyone raved about), but the fact that his game was so raw. Two players in the conference who contested Leonard as best big man were Cody Zeller and Jared Sullinger. Neither was as long or athletic as Leonard, but both were clearly better players. Most experts thought Leonard should have played at least one more year of college ball to develop. Myself included. Not only his game but his maturity were questioned. Leonard had one game last year where he simply broke down and sobbed on the bench after Illinois got whipped by a weak Nebraska team. When they talk about upside, well, Leonard certainly has a lot of that. But getting to where he's a solid or better pro is another question. I think Leonard can make that jump, but he'll probably have a very rough year or two before he makes it.

Thanks dude, good analysis.

I don't know that Leonard is all that mentally tough, though I'm not saying he is a crybaby or nothing, just he seems like a gifted white boy who hasn't really been thrown in the fire and might get upset and frustrated like you described. This might not be the end of the world since we drafted a guy who is going to bring that competitive spirit, leadership and mental toughness to the Blazers, I see Lillard more and more as that type of player. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the veterans like Aldridge and Batum feed off of Lillard's competitive energy as well.

One thing that was thrown around during the draft was that Leonard played on a team with ball-dominant guards who did not give him many opportunities to develop and show what he can do, explaining why he is raw (and why another year might not have necessarily helped). This could be a case of the chicken or the egg, but the end result is that Leonard is still unpolished coming into the NBA. His free throw shooting intrigues me, but from what I saw in summer league he has a long ways to go before he is a credible offensive player, and will absolutely start out as a 7 foot defense/energy/hustle player.

So I think you are right, I think Leonard could be facing a tough year, but he has all the support he should need. Veteran teammates and a fellow rookie who has been facing adversity and proving doubters wrong for years. In fact, Lillard specifically requested the Blazers look into drafting Leonard, so you know he likes playing with an athletic big man, and will look to help Leonard's development in any way he can.

[a_sensei]

Meyers is going to be a total stud. He's DM'd me a few times on twitter and just seems like a genuinely awesome guy. I feel the same way about D.Lill as well. I'm probably biased because I'm a Homer and I want these guys to succeed so bad but if it wasn't for the stigma of white stiff center and small college bust I think both of those guys are gone before our picks.

Speaking as a Bucks fan and someone who saw a fair amount of Big Ten games last season, the rap on Leonard was nothing to do with his athletic ability (which everyone raved about), but the fact that his game was so raw. Two players in the conference who contested Leonard as best big man were Cody Zeller and Jared Sullinger. Neither was as long or athletic as Leonard, but both were clearly better players. Most experts thought Leonard should have played at least one more year of college ball to develop. Myself included. Not only his game but his maturity were questioned. Leonard had one game last year where he simply broke down and sobbed on the bench after Illinois got whipped by a weak Nebraska team. When they talk about upside, well, Leonard certainly has a lot of that. But getting to where he's a solid or better pro is another question. I think Leonard can make that jump, but he'll probably have a very rough year or two before he makes it.

I don't know that Leonard is all that mentally tough, though I'm not saying he is a crybaby or nothing, just he seems like a gifted white boy who hasn't really been thrown in the fire and might get upset and frustrated like you described. This might not be the end of the world since we drafted a guy who is going to bring that competitive spirit, leadership and mental toughness to the Blazers, I see Lillard more and more as that type of player. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the veterans like Aldridge and Batum feed off of Lillard's competitive energy as well.

One thing that was thrown around during the draft was that Leonard played on a team with ball-dominant guards who did not give him many opportunities to develop and show what he can do, explaining why he is raw (and why another year might not have necessarily helped). This could be a case of the chicken or the egg, but the end result is that Leonard is still unpolished coming into the NBA. His free throw shooting intrigues me, but from what I saw in summer league he has a long ways to go before he is a credible offensive player, and will absolutely start out as a 7 foot defense/energy/hustle player.

So I think you are right, I think Leonard could be facing a tough year, but he has all the support he should need. Veteran teammates and a fellow rookie who has been facing adversity and proving doubters wrong for years. In fact, Lillard specifically requested the Blazers look into drafting Leonard, so you know he likes playing with an athletic big man, and will look to help Leonard's development in any way he can.

I don't know about his on court toughness, but I certainly wouldn't pigeonhole Leonard as a "gifted white boy" who has not faced adversity.

"When he was 6, his dad, James, died after a bicycle crash in their hometown of Robinson, Ill., close to the Indiana border. His mother, Tracie, was left to raise Leonard and his older brother, Bailey, while dealing with chronic back pain. She has been unable to work or afford the necessary surgery...."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/story/2012-06-26/Meyers-Leonard-NBA-draft/55847930/1"

[Johnlac1]

Let's put it this way. If I had the opportunity, I would have drafted Leonard over Henson. And I really like Henson. But we have Ilyasova and other players who can fill that pf position. The Bucks dearly need a healthy defensive center after Bogut got traded. Emphasis on healthy. Leonard can be that defensive center...maybe better than Bogut. His offense is raw, but he could surpass Bogut in that area as well. He can shoot out to 15 feet and is a decent passer. It's his inside -post game that needs a lot of work. But if the Blazer fans have a little patience, and Leonard is a hard worker and more mature, you could have a hell of a player in a few years.

[Goldbum]

Let's put it this way. If I had the opportunity, I would have drafted Leonard over Henson. And I really like Henson. But we have Ilyasova and other players who can fill that pf position. The Bucks dearly need a healthy defensive center after Bogut got traded. Emphasis on healthy. Leonard can be that defensive center...maybe better than Bogut. His offense is raw, but he could surpass Bogut in that area as well. He can shoot out to 15 feet and is a decent passer. It's his inside -post game that needs a lot of work. But if the Blazer fans have a little patience, and Leonard is a hard worker and more mature, you could have a hell of a player in a few years.

This is my point exactly... I was firmly on the Drummond.band wagging because of his athletic ability and defensive acumen.. After summer league I feel like I was just plain wrong. Leonard seems to be just as bouncy, taller and as agile. Plus he has shooting touch (Drummonds FT shooting is atrocious). Will he struggle scoring inside? Probably, but so did LMA at first. I think he'll get some points off energy play, alley oops ect. Also I would rather have a guy who tears himself up caring too much than one who cares too little.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I don't know about his on court toughness, but I certainly wouldn't pigeonhole Leonard as a "gifted white boy" who has not faced adversity.

"When he was 6, his dad, James, died after a bicycle crash in their hometown of Robinson, Ill., close to the Indiana border. His mother, Tracie, was left to raise Leonard and his older brother, Bailey, while dealing with chronic back pain. She has been unable to work or afford the necessary surgery...."
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/story/2012-06-26/Meyers-Leonard-NBA-draft/55847930/1"

Wow, when you interpret what I said that way it doesn't look good.


I was talking about on the basketball court - being asked to be a go-to guy, to produce and be responsible for a winning team. Compare to Lillard, who was asked to step up every night for his team and be the leader in every sense of the world.

Again, I am not insulting Meyers character. I have every reason to believe that he is a high quality person. Every reason to believe he works hard for what he has. Every reason to believe he wants to win and will be competitive every single night and leave everything he has on the court.

[Shem]

Lillard interview with Bleacher Report:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1332 ... ookie-year

Here is a small portion of it:

Why stay so loyal to Weber State even after bigger programs started calling?

Because that’s what I come from. I come from a family of hard-working, loyal people, and that’s the reason I went to Weber State. They were hard-working and a family-oriented program, and I knew that I would excel there. If it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be here because they pushed me so hard and held me to such a high standard that it allowed me to be in a position to make the NBA.

I feel like, going to a bigger school, you’re risking losing that type of help and that type of family environment, and you'd be around maybe a lower level of character and people that don’t stand for the same thing. It all worked out the same. I still got to where I wanted to be. I know I’m happy I stayed.

Your name is being thrown out there in a lot of circles as the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year. How can you win that award, and then who do you think is the favorite to win it?

Well, first of all, I think Anthony Davis is the favorite, and rightfully so. But me, I think I come out and do what I do. I’m a scoring point guard, but I know when to make the right plays, so I know I’ll have assists and I know I’ll score the ball. So I’m just gonna do what I do. It’s just a matter of who gets picked, I guess. So I’m just gonna come out and do my best to perform how I’ve always done.

I labeled the reason why he stayed at Weber State in blue is because he sounds like a loyal dude.

[GreenRiddler]

will Meyers Leonard start? if not, who will?

There really is no telling, we have to remember that Hickson could pull a Sac town on us.

[Jerkins]

will Meyers Leonard start? if not, who will?

There really is no telling, we have to remember that Hickson could pull a Sac town on us.

Hopefully his contract being only for this year will mitigate that risk.

[Downtown]

I agree with this. History has gone both ways, but overall I've seen where players that are showcasing themselves as pending free agents keep up their motivation and don't get lazy knowing teams will be looking at them and whether they are trending upwards or spiralling down.

[Jerkins]

True, we saw the opposite argument this year with Felton. Hopefully Hickson shows up in shape and ready for a payday.