Meyers Leonard

[jnick206]

...why not?

[The Skyhook]

Might have to over pay just to make sure Portland doesn't match because he's restricted. He would be perfect fit wise as long as he can stay healthy.

[Slava]

POrtland have a ton of cap space and no major contracts so they'll match anything for him, if only to trade him later.

[jnick206]

Sounds about right. I would make a high offer regardless.

[DNP-Old]

I wouldn't go much more than 10-12m per year. If it gets matched so be it.

[MrWaffles]

No.

From a Blazers fan

"He's a weak b****"

I have to agree with him. Meyers will go on stretches as looking like a solid big guy, but he's about as soft as Pau was and we all remember how soft Pau was.

Throw money at Bismack,Hill, Bass, Black before you throw money at Meyers. Just because he can sometimes shoot the three and his tall means we need him. We have 1-4 covered in scoring, we need a defensive center.

[milesfides]

Depends on what Portland really wants to do. They've been rumored with Dwight Howard. That ends Meyers Leonard's time in Portland. They're probably better off matching big offers for Allen Crabbe and going for more of a stretch four since they have Plumlee. I think Portland would rather have Ryan Anderson than Meyers Leonard.

It wouldn't be the first time Portland let go of world class big men - Rasheed Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal, Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge...it's kind of a thing in Rip City.

But if we're talking gambles (Ezeli, Biyombo), Meyers Leonard is a low risk, high reward. He's proven his talents consistently, not for a series, and he doesn't have crazy compromises (he's proven he can provide excellent rim protection as a center).

He's such a great bet. I've always liked Steven Adams (there's a lot of Nick Collison in him) so I wasn't surprised at all when he got more attention. Same with Meyers Leonard. When he locked down Demarcus Cousins and got under a lot of people's skin, I loved it. There's certain things you can't teach. Grit and toughness, you can't teach.

Meyers Leonard isn't soft. Dude will mix it up. Doesn't back down. Don't get it twisted, he's been slow-played because of Olympian in Mason Plumlee, and he's asked to play power forward. So some people think he's soft, but that's the role he's been asked to play. He said it himself. But Meyers Leonard a center. An elite center.

Dude is a freak.

A real 7-footer, athletic, can shoot threes at an elite level while rebounding like a legit big man?

You know who's done that? Nobody.

[jnick206]

Depends on what Portland really wants to do. They've been rumored with Dwight Howard. That ends Meyers Leonard's time in Portland. They're probably better off matching big offers for Allen Crabbe and going for more of a stretch four since they have Plumlee. I think Portland would rather have Ryan Anderson than Meyers Leonard.

It wouldn't be the first time Portland let go of world class big men - Rasheed Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal, Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge...it's kind of a thing in Rip City.

But if we're talking gambles (Ezeli, Biyombo), Meyers Leonard is a low risk, high reward. He's proven his talents consistently, not for a series, and he doesn't have crazy compromises (he's proven he can provide excellent rim protection as a center).

He's such a great bet. I've always liked Steven Adams (there's a lot of Nick Collison in him) so I wasn't surprised at all when he got more attention. Same with Meyers Leonard. When he locked down Demarcus Cousins and got under a lot of people's skin, I loved it. There's certain things you can't teach. Grit and toughness, you can't teach.

Meyers Leonard isn't soft. Dude will mix it up. Doesn't back down. Don't get it twisted, he's been slow-played because of Olympian in Mason Plumlee, and he's asked to play power forward. So some people think he's soft, but that's the role he's been asked to play. He said it himself. But Meyers Leonard a center. An elite center.

Dude is a freak.

A real 7-footer, athletic, can shoot threes at an elite level while rebounding like a legit big man?

You know who's done that? Nobody.

My thoughts exactly. We will overpay free agents no matter what. Leonard seems to be a solid investment who could continue to grow on the Lakers.

[stan francisco]

Throw money at Bismack,Hill, Bass, Black before you throw money at Meyers.

We have 1-4 covered in scoring, we need a defensive center.

This.

[dipstick]

Throw money at Bismack,Hill, Bass, Black before you throw money at Meyers.

We have 1-4 covered in scoring, we need a defensive center.

This.

The only one you'd throw money at is Biyombo. I think Bass, Black and Hill would probably have reasonable rates. Just wondering... When did Hill become a defensive center?

[milesfides]

In the Western playoffs, those guys won't even see 20 minutes a game. Too many liabilities (can't score, can't hit free throws, can't make plays), they get exposed.

The three-point shot changed the game.

Go ask Deandre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Rudy Gobert, Hassan Whiteside, Biyombo what it's like to watch from home. These aren't the main players driving a team's success. That's just a fact in today's game.

Bosh is more valuable than Whiteside, and that's really the distinction I'm trying to make.

Even Bogut and Ezeli, two elite rim protectors, and neither really play more than 20 MPG, and neither are on the Warriors' best lineup (nor the 2nd best) in these playoffs.

A big man's ability to defend the pick and roll, rebound, close out on the perimeter, and not hurt you on offense - those are the things that matter most in today's NBA - and none more Luke Walton's Lakers.

They're still important and valuable as role players, but unless they're Anthony Davis, Karl Anthony Towns, or Kristaps Porzingis, we should avoid maxing those guys out, and instead find a reasonably-priced role player.

[stan francisco]

In the Western playoffs, those guys won't even see 20 minutes a game. Too many liabilities (can't score, can't hit free throws, can't make plays), they get exposed.

The three-point shot changed the game.

Go ask Deandre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Rudy Gobert, Hassan Whiteside, Biyombo what it's like to watch from home. These aren't the main players driving a team's success. That's just a fact in today's game.

Bosh is more valuable than Whiteside, and that's really the distinction I'm trying to make.

Even Bogut and Ezeli, two elite rim protectors, and neither really play more than 20 MPG, and neither are on the Warriors' best lineup (nor the 2nd best) in these playoffs.

A big man's ability to defend the pick and roll, rebound, close out on the perimeter, and not hurt you on offense - those are the things that matter most in today's NBA - and none more Luke Walton's Lakers.

They're still important and valuable as role players, but unless they're Anthony Davis, Karl Anthony Towns, or Kristaps Porzingis, we should avoid maxing those guys out, and instead find a reasonably-priced role player.

Great points as always.

I'd like to not follow the Warriors. I'd like for us to be the next Warriors, in that we set the next trend. We are the aggressor, not reactive and following in line. That's why I want us to try going super big this year, for example:

PG: Russell
SG: Ingram
SF: Nance
PF: Randle
C: Whiteside

Replace Nance with Durant, it doesn't matter. To me, it's still about defense. Despite their size, all these players are quick enough on their feet laterally and physically equipped to defend individually against most anyone in the league at their position. Intimidating length / hops / physicality all around. Over 48 minutes, it's an advantage.

What the size advantage brings (besides the actual size advantage) is also that it makes us the aggressor, not reactive, in terms of strategy. Opposing teams' coaches will be forced to react to that. Small ball might simply not work against that. If it doesn't,

It's all about suffocating defense. Running the fast break with that crew needs no coaching or system. Defense and length without sacrificing foot speed is where I see our identity next season. If we want the league to conform to us, not vice versa.

I don't expect this team to be dominant in the league even if the trades making this an option.This was suggested size advantage this season. They have to develop for at least another year before contender status. By then, maybe we can exaggerate our roster further in an extreme direction (like GSW did with small ball).

[Frank Dux]

Not really a fan. He's pretty soft, isn't mentally tough and is very inconsistent. He's not a good defensive player, but he can hit some 3's and plays well every once in awhile. He's well liked within the Blazers organization, but it would be a mistake to pay this guy big bucks. The Blazers will match any reasonable offer, so it wouldn't be productive to go after him.

He's a great guy, and a great teammate. He struggles big time with the mental aspect of the game.

[Pointgod]

Drafting Ingram, signing Meyers Leonard and Fournier would be a solid off season for me.

[DEEP3CL]

No he's to inconsistent...he can stay in Portland

[Dr Aki]

No he's to inconsistent...he can stay in Portland

come on deep

if the player we're talking about was truly a consistent defensive center with 3 point shooting range and ability, he'd be commanding upwards of 15-20 mil per

[Frank Dux]

Drafting Ingram, signing Meyers Leonard and Fournier would be a solid off season for me.

Randle/Meyers would easily be the worst starting front court in the NBA.

[Showtime:Part2]

rather get cole aldrich for half the money

[yitur]

rather get cole aldrich for half the money

I would rather get both.

[Pointgod]

Drafting Ingram, signing Meyers Leonard and Fournier would be a solid off season for me.

Randle/Meyers would easily be the worst starting front court in the NBA.

That's hyperbole if I've ever seen it.