Portland, Stop Hating Meyers Leonard!

Monday, July 25, 2016

Garrett Thornton, Oregon Sports News

Shortly after the 2012 NBA Draft, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey said, “He's over 7-foot tall, he runs like a deer, he jumps out of the building, he's got great timing on blocked shots, he's got touch. He's a unique physical talent… We're going to be patient with Meyers. We just think he's got an incredibly high ceiling. The kid lives in the gym, he loves the weight room, he loves to work out, he loves to play. Basketball is important to him. And when you get a big guy with a motor and a skill set, you have a chance to have something special."

That quote was after the draft that ultimately netted the Blazers Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard in the Draft Lottery. Lillard, who would almost immediately be a franchise-changing point guard, has exceeded expectations every year and is now the face of the franchise. Leonard has had a bit of a harder road.

Let’s rewind that quote back. Olshey said, “We’re going to be patient with Meyers.”

On July 10th, Leonard and the Blazers agreed to a 4-year contract extension that is reportedly worth $41 million over the length of the contract. That contract will keep Leonard in Portland until at least the 2019-2020 season. Proving that the franchise has remained patient in the development of Leonard.

To put it lightly, the reaction in Portland has been very mixed.

I know that one of the first rules of the internet is “Do Not Read the Comments!” In the past few weeks, I have been incredibly intrigued by reading what Blazer fans reactions have been to the various signings the team has made since the July 1st free agency period started. There is no better place to find those reactions than by reading the comments section on social media.

For some reason, Leonard has become a punching bag for Blazer fans. He has been painted as a 7-footer that can’t defend bigs or play on the post. A lot of fans seem to remember the injuries and holes in Leonards’ game, rather than looking at what he does bring to the table, and his upside.

This is completely ludicrous in my opinion. Below I will make the argument that Leonard isn’t only a very important piece to this Blazer roster, but that he brings something to the court that no other 7-footer in the league does.

1 – 50-40-90 Club… Almost

In the NBA, the 50-40-90 club is one of the most prestigious statistical accomplishments that you could ever hope for. The club is for any NBA player that shoots 50% from the field, 40% from the 3-point line, and 90% from the free throw line. To officially become part of the club you have to make a minimum of 300 field goals, 55 3-pointers, and 125 free throws.

There have only been 7 players that have joined this club - Larry Bird, Mark Price, Reggie Miller, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. Pretty impressive group!

In the 2014-2015 NBA Season, Leonard broke out in a big way for the Blazers. His scoring average more than doubled and he showed the ability to show the 3-pointer. His stats were eye-catching.

In the small sample size that was the 2014-15 season, Leonard showed the potential of being a member of the 50-40-90 club. That is a phenomenally encouraging sign for his future potential. If, as a 22-year old, his offensive game was that developed, what will it be like in a few more years?

2 – Can a $41 Million Contract be a Value Contract?

Timofey Mozgov got 4 years and $64 million from the Lakers.

Solomon Hill got 4 years and $52 million from the Pelicans.

Joakim Noah got 4 years and $72 million from the Knicks.

Miles Plumlee got 4 years and $52 million from the Bucks.

In the NBA’s summer of extreme spending, the Blazers may have just signed Leonard to a team-friendly deal. A $41 million team-friendly deal.

Not only do the Blazers get Leonard for the next four years, they get Leonard for 4 of the prime years of his career. If Leonard is ever going to live up his sky-high potential, it is going to be in these next four years. Leonard is the perfect fit age-wise for the Portland roster, and a perfect fit skill-wise for Coach Terry Stotts’ offense.

In years past, a contract that averaged more than $10 million a year was reserved for All-Stars and near All-Stars, not a bench player. Those days are past. With the influx of TV money and the explosion of the salary cap, $10+ million-a-year contracts are almost expected for any player that has a pulse.

Heading into the 2016-2017 season, there will be 3 Portland Trail Blazers that will make more money than Leonard. After McCollum receives his inevitable contract extension that will go into effect in the 2017-2018 season, there will be at least 4 Blazers that will make more money that Leonard.

Leonard has to elevate his level of play to earn the contract that he signed a couple weeks ago, but he is very likely and able to have his value far exceed the amount of money that the Blazers have pledged to pay him.

3 – Possible Most Improved Player Candidate?

CJ McCollum was named as the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2015-2016 season. Paired in the backcourt with Lillard, McCollum shined as one of the most dynamic shooting guards in the league. The key to McCollum’s breakout season was his increased role. He was a permanent fixture in the starting lineup and increased his minutes per game by 19.1 minutes.

With the increased role, McCollum was catapulted into a borderline All-Star. What would an increased role do for Leonard? What would being an everyday starter do to Leonard’s production?

When you take a step back and evaluate it as an impartial basketball fan, Leonard is an extremely athletic 7-footer. He has above average strength and speed. His shooting range is as deep as any 7-footer in the league. His defense in the post has improved each year he has been in the league. He can play the 4 or the 5. And his best years are ahead of him.

Portland Trail Blazer fans need to start embracing Leonard because he is here to stay. There will continues to be ups and downs, there will continue to be development, but that is the case with any basketball player in the Association.

Meyers “Legend” Leonard has been, and will probably continue to be, one of the most polarizing Trail Blazers in recent years. All I am saying is, don’t sleep on Leonard; in my opinion, he is the X-Factor for this Blazer team.