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Meyers Leonard Is The X-Factor For A Blazers’ Playoff Berth

By Spencer Gordon

Jan 31, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) drives to the basket on Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) drives to the basket on Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) drives to the basket on Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) drives to the basket on Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

The Polarizing and Always Controversial Meyers Leonard Could be the Reason Portland makes it into the Playoffs – Whether we like it or not

I know, I can hear the groans now of another Meyers Leonard story. The 7’1″ big man has been a talking point ever since his arrival in Portland. With his size and potential always at the center of the discussion, it’s easy to look at the current situation and just shake your head.

Must Read: Does Meyers Leonard Deserve More Playing Time?

However, this isn’t merely an analysis of his game. It’s not whether or not he’s worth the $40 million contract that he has. Instead, it’s an analysis/plea for Leonard to finally play to his potential, or else Portland will miss the playoffs.

The reason this is so important is the season ending injury to Ed Davis. Davis is the Blazers hustle man down low, always giving Portland a solid 10-15 minutes of hard basketball. His game was something we could rely on and trust. Usually a couple points and some rebounds, but most importantly just a willingness to put his body on the line.

Mar 14, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins (0) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

With Davis out, the responsibility falls to Leonard. Leonard and Davis couldn’t be more opposite in terms of playing style, which makes this adjustment a hard pill to swallow. As Jusuf Nurkic‘s physical play has shown, a physical post presence is what the Blazers need in their front court. Besides some personal battles with DeMarcus Cousins this season, Leonard is more of a finesse player despite his 245lb frame.

We all love that he can shoot (sometimes), and we love that he can stretch the floor and draw defenders out of the paint. But, that isn’t the type of game the Blazers need in order to win games and make the playoffs. It wasn’t working with Mason Plumlee playing soft, and it won’t work with Leonard as that substitute.

If he can take his role of front court reserve to heart and battle down low. Earn the hustle stats, like dunking rather than shooting, then I can’t see why he couldn’t become a celebrated player for Rip City. If he morphs his game and gets Portland into the first round against the Warriors, then yes we will most likely need his three point shooting then.

But until that happens, we need a bruiser…desperately.

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