The guts spot has offered lots of heartbreak for Portland Trail Blazers fans. From the start with Bill Walton to the '80s with Sam Bowie and of late with Greg Oden, the Blazers have cycled through a few big men over the years. But have they finally found their big man for the future? Lottery pick LaMarcus Aldridge sitting out because of damage and Meyers Leonard has been the recipient of increased playing time because of this of the Blazers being out of the playoff picture. The 11th overall pick from last year's draft has weaknesses for certain, but fans ought to be encouraged by Leonard's tasks over the last week. Within the last few five games, including four starts, Leonard is calculating 13.4 factors and 7.2 rebounds in 32.6 minutes. His defense was said to be his power and his offense was considered a work in progress taken from Illinois, nonetheless it is been the whole change. Leonard has been solid offensively along with his ability to end strong at the edge, roll to the basket and set hard screens. His external firing has been the greatest surprise, which was highlighted in a, 10-rebound efficiency against Golden State on March 30. He also nailed his first career 3-pointer. It might look just a little unorthodox at times, but it is efficient. He's also a great free-throw shooter at 79.5 percent. Zach Lowe of Grantland gave Leonard some love nationally, remembering the young man as one of the things he was satisfied with over the past week. Leonard indicates he should really be able to are an enhanced jack-of-all-trades pick-and-roll large, slipping screens, cutting hard in to space, and making stable and instant decisions about whether to pass, attic a floater, or spin for a dunk effort. Sometimes these hard cuts suck in defenders, opening up things for teammates, without Leonard actually touching the ball: Meyers Leonard had a lifetime career evening with 22 points and 10 rebounds against Golden State on March 30. His biggest weakness, but, is undoubtedly his protection, that will hopefully come with time. Leonard informed Mike Tokito of The Oregonian it is been his biggest change to the NBA. aIam still trying to learn how exactly to guard one-on-one in the post,a he explained. aItas a big difference going from university where I simply use my athleticism and sat behind folks, to where Iam enjoying in the NBA, going systems each time down the court. And needing to guard a man thatas just absolutely experienced, itas something that Iam just perhaps not used to today. I gotta continue steadily to view film and understand guysa behaviors and such.a Leonard has been a pleasant surprise and gives one to supporters of the several reasons to watch the rest of the seven games. The Blazers don't need him to become a 20-10 player along side LaMarcus Aldridge. All they need is for him to turn into a existence on the end, rebound the ball, set tough selections and nail the open 12- to 17-foot jumpers. If he does those things, he could become Portland's center into the future. Many fans will be happy if he resulted in a person like ex-Blazer Joel Przybilla having an bad game. The Blazers had opportunities to write major men Tyler Zeller, John Henson, Andrew Nicholson or Fab Melo with the 11th pick, nevertheless they made the right decision by bank on Leonard's potential.
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