Extremely difficult to learn ALL those three things in the NBA. and the fact is that you need him to learn ALL those to just be an effective starter, forget an All-star or star player. There is potential and there are players like Henson and Leonard, etc. Potential stars, even young ones, show the ability to do all these things. Their issue it typically focus and/or consistency. That is why people tend to gravitate to players like Rivers who skill is unquestioned (unless he goes right), it is his ability to focus and show the ability to work with the team concept that is questioned.
The only real similarity between Aldrich and Leonard is that they are tall and white. Aldrich is nowhere near as fluid or athletic as Leonard, nor is he as explosive. Further, Aldrich was a more polished and developed as a player. Further, you said Leonard is a poor defender, but then compared him to Camby. You do not know what you are talking about.
As an Illinois grad, fan, and frequent watcher, it's hard to believe we're talking about the same player. Meyers is an outstanding all-around athlete - other than his size, it's probably his best attribute. I don't disagree that his technique needs work. But none of that is stuff that can't be fixed. If that stuff didn't need fixed, we would have no shot because he would be a top-five pick. I need to hear better reasons than '20-year-old big man is not a finished product' before scratching him from our list. Meyers is exactly the kind of player a star-bereft team like the Rockets should be grabbing in the late lotto - a young prospect with all the attributes who just hasn't put it together yet. Sure, he might be a bust, but you're not going to get a sure thing this late. We need to keep drafting this type until we get our star. Also, position is key. You don't have to be an amazing center to be a very valuable trade chip. Joakim Noah and Brook Lopez are really not all that great, but centers are hard to find and they command a premium in trades. Something to keep in mind.
Meyers is the one guy in this draft that scares me. He could become a big time player. And it would be a shame to have missed on him. And he could totally fail to develop. Watched a recent interview with him recently and was quite impressed with his knowledge of the game and of the team that he was working out for. Just a little thing, I know. But I saw something in his spirit, his attitude that makes me pause and change my mind about not wanting him. If we could actually get him at 16 and he could serve apprenticeship under veteran bigs such as Camby and Gasol or Dwight and we could coach him with CD, Hakeem, and McHale, he might turn into something special. I like his attitude, like his athleticism. But he scares me and I wouldn't want to have to draft him to start center for my team. I think he's like a young NFL QB. You could ruin him by expecting too much out of him early. By the same token, if you don't have to draft him high, and you can afford to let him learn behind vets for a couple seasons, he could turn out very special. I'd take him at 16 if we had already acquired Dwight or Gasol and let him learn off the bench. And hopefully he'd turn into at least a decent replacement for Camby in a few years and he may turn into something much more. I'd take him at 16 if we already had our 3 big men rotation and he could develop as the 4th big. And undoubtedly I'd kick myself for not being willing to take him a little bit earlier and following my gut. My gut is telling me he is going to be a solid rotation big that will develop nasty defensive attitude and be a special player.
You want to draft someone who does at least one skill really well. Passing isn't a necessary thing i want if I was drafting a center. Rebounding and shot blocking. But primarily shot blocking. I'd take Fab Melo, move down from *16th pick to get him. Attitude probs can easily translate to a nasty side on the defensive end.i can't see leonard guarding bynum or even the jazz up and coming young front court.
I would take Festus Ezeli over Leonard right now. He has a better NBA body for the center position. He just needs to learn to box out and stop fouling so much. He graduated with an economics degree so it shouldn't be so hard for Mchale to teach him this stuff.
Every time I see Festus the first thing I wonder is who is his daddy? I have this sneaking suspicion Deke may have traveled through the Congo on some trip back to Nigeria back in the day. Ezeli is a replica of Deke.
I hope Morey takes him at #14 if he is still there. As you said, Leonard is high risk but high reward. At #14 that's a gamble IMO that we should take. Unfortunately, Moneyball doesn't think that way. He will take a safe senior -- or maybe a junior -- and we will continue to be the non-playoff team with the best record.
Hard to complain about Miller tho he dropped off significantly in the later years. The guy had a 13 year career , made an allstar appearance and should have made at least one NBA Finals appearance with the Kings save for the refs stealing the series from them .... Overall , B ad Miller had a pretty solid career. I'd take a guy with Millers career stats of 11.2ppg , 7.1rpg , 2.8apg and 0.7bpg (yeah the blocks lack) in the middle for the Rockets right now ..... Its better than what they have. As for Leonard , I think he will have an easier transition to the NBA than many bigs do , mainly because of his passing ability from both the high and low post as well as passing out of double teams. That is an ability most players struggle with developing (passing out of double teams). He's got good length , can finish around the rim with both hands, has good footwork and a good assortment of post moves. Defensively , Leonard lacks the bulk to defend the stronger centers on the blocks but he can easily stand to add 20+lbs to his frame. He may never be a defensive stopper but I see no reason he cant average a double double after a bit of work. Superstar ? Probably not .... But that doesnt make a player a bust. Then again , his game reminds me a lot of Kevin Love at times.
I dont think there is much risk with the kid .... at worst , I think he's a solid NBA center. Picking at 14 , I'd be happy with that. At best , he turns into Marc Gasol ..... (tho doubtful).
Not at all...Mayers is more like a Robin Lopez with better movement, shooting and very high potential. Still raw though, will need time to develop, but he's young.
How is he like Robin Lopez? I see this comparison a lot but I don't see it. What similarities do you see?
Good size, athleticsm and fundamentals. Both are a bit raw though but have all physical tools to be great, dynamic centers in this league if they develop a better post-game. Leonard has better shooting range though...
