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Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard is becoming a threat from range

By Austin Carroll

PORTLAND, OR - MAY 18: Meyers Leonard #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on May 18, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MAY 18: Meyers Leonard #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on May 18, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers big man Meyers Leonard surprised everyone last year with his shooting ability; he appears poised to follow up on that performance.

In one of the pleasant surprises of last season, Meyers Leonard proves he has the potential to be a consistent three-point threat for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Leonard hit 45 percent of his shots from deep last year, on a sample size of 111 attempts (1.8 per game). This was hardly a fluke event, when you take into consideration Leonard has taken over 700 three-point shots in his career and knocked down an impressive 38.5 percent of attempts.

It goes without saying that a legitimate ‘Stretch 5’ player on this Blazers roster could vastly alter the offensive schemes the team is able to run. Instead of shelling out the money to find one, it appears Portland may have one growing internally.

Meyers has dedicated the summer to working out with highly touted NBA trainer and former college basketball player Drew Hanlen. In one of his recent workout videos shared via Instagram, Leonard knocked down an impressive 25 three-point shots in a row.

The video clearly demonstrates Leonard is aware and actively working towards becoming a more consistent threat from range. For good reason too, Leonard should know there’s big bucks waiting for a 7-foot-1 giant that can knock down shots from 25-feet out.

Meyers has chosen one of the best in the business to help get him there, as Hanlen has helped cultivate the talent in some of the NBA’s best players. Hanlen has recently helped players like Jayson Tatum, Zach LaVine and Kelly Oubre elevate their games as well as escorted former stars like Gordon Hayward down the path to recovery.

With Jusuf Nurkic set to miss much of next season recovering from his gruesome injury, Leonard will have plenty of time to capitalize and show his development. Fresh off the heels of his five made three-pointer and 30 point performance against the reigning champion Golden State, Leonard should be eager to prove he’s not just a flash in the pan.

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Leonard is proving he has the work ethic necessary to reinvent himself. The Portland Trail Blazers might just have a valuable weapon on their hands if Leonard makes the jump from being an occasional x-factor to consistent threat the Blazers can depend on.