Blazers: 5 goals for Meyers Leonard to achieve in the 2018-2019 season

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 19: Meyers Leonard #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Under-the-basket scoring

One way for Leonard to recover his shooting percentages is to finish around the basket more.

When he gets his chance to earn a rotation spot, it will be alongside Collins. As the Blazers gear up for the future (hence drafting Anfernee Simons), Stotts will focus on Collins’ development more than the other forwards on the team, including Leonard.

So, by joining Collins and the reserves, he will adopt more of a true center role with the offense. That means no more aimlessly standing around the perimeter, and much fewer pick-and-pops at the three-point line.

Many of his shots will come near the basket, an area Leonard is unfamiliar with. His attempts from within five feet over the last few seasons are:

2014-2015 (15.4 minutes per game): 0.8-for-1.1
2015-2016 (21.9 minutes per game): 0.4-for-0.8
2016-2017 (16.5 minutes per game): 0.4-for-0.7

While the percentages are certainly admirable, his experience finishing down low is minimal. To put those averages in perspective, Davis attempted 3.1 shots from within five feet in 18.9 minutes per game last season.

To fill Davis’ shoes and be a threat in the paint, Leonard will need to sustain his percentages of previous seasons on a much higher shot count.