The Miami Heat got blasted in the paint and at the rim in last season’s NBA Finals. Can Meyers Leonard get better?
The Miami Heat were manhandled in the NBA Finals last season. While they gave a very encouraging effort, the Los Angeles Lakers’ size at the rim and in the paint just turned out to be too much.
Now, the Miami Heat didn’t do anything crazy in free agency, such as add a rim or paint protector, but they did get better from within, I would say. They drafted Precious Achiuwa and plan to play KZ Okpala more this season, two dudes who give them very good size but they still need someone right at the cup to help alter shots.
Well, Meyers Leonard is still there. That takes us right into his bold prediction.
Meyers Leonard Will Become A Semblance Of A Shot Blocker/Rim Protector This Season
I know, as the old saying goes, an animal doesn’t change its print. Tigers don’t change stripes, cheetahs don’t change their spots, but Meyers Leonard can reimagine his game.
The Miami Heat need help to defend their own rim. Perhaps they have the guy there already to help.
Throughout his career, Leonard is a 0.3 blocks per game guy. That’s not good at all for a legit and true seven-footer.
Last season, his blocks per game for Miami mirrored his career average of 0.3 per game but was up from the previous two seasons at 0 and 0.1 blocks per game. He’s never been Dikembe Mutombo, that’s apparent.
His best season in the category was his rookie season. He averaged 0.6 blocks per contest then.
We don’t need him to block four shots per contest, three, or even two, however, we would like him to get close to a block per game. I believe he will this season.
After last season and of course, being that they brought him back, that had to have been one of the things they asked him to focus on coming into this season. You can’t teach his size, however, some things are all about effort.
I believe that they brought him back with the understanding that he would give more effort there and try to become the rim protector that his physical gifts have made it possible for him to be. I believe he will average at least 0.8 blocks per contest, if not one entirely.
We shall see and we’ll be watching. Hopefully, he blows it out of the water or at least comes close.