I saw him play twice this season (both games against Michigan), and for the life of me, I can't understand why he's not a lock as a top 5 pick. Read his profile - Meyers Leonard | NBADraft.net He reminds me more of Brook Lopez than Robin. He's all of 7-0, 245. He's real athletic. He's agile. He's got good hand-eye. He's tough. He works hard. He defends well. He rebounds well. He's got a lot of offensive skills around the basket. Passes well. Seems like a smart player. Big, strong body in the middle of the court. Runs the floor well. Etc...etc...etc. I remember saying to myself multiple times during the Michigan games..."If Bruce Weber wasn't a complete idiot, and he went to this guy every possession, we wouldn't even stand a chance." I think the biggest reason he's so underrated is just that - Bruce Weber is an idiot and didn't use him well. If this guy's playing for a John Beilein (or a Tom Izzo, not trying to start anything lol), he'd be a first team all american and top 5 pick, IMO. If we keep winning games, and don't get lucky with the ping-pong balls, and we miss out on the top bigs (Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Cody Zeller, Thomas Robinson, etc.), I'd love to see us pick this guy. I'd much rather have him than the 6-8 Jared Sullinger who is sort of soft and overrated. C: M. Leonard, V. Macklin PF: G. Monroe, J. Maxiel, C. Villanueva SF: T. Prince, J. Jerebko, A. Daye SG: R. Stuckey, B. Gordon PG: B. Knight, W. Bynum Another good addition to the core I believe.
If you remove Maxiel, Villanueva, Prince, Daye, Stuckey, Gordon, and Bynum from that group, I think you've got a nice start.
As for Leonard, if the Pistons keep winning games, they might fall to a position (#10 through #12) where Leonard is slotted to be drafted.
This draft gets muddy after the sixth pick, believe me. C: M. Leonard, PF: G. Monroe, J. Maxiel, SF: J. Jerebko, A. Daye SG: R. Stuckey PG: B. Knight Unfortunately, the NBA requires that teams have a minimum of 12 players. Somehow, the Pistons have managed to get by having only 5.
I wouldn't have a problem with them drafting him. He's not a great on-the-ball defender, but that can be taught. Decent shot-blocker, which is what the Pistons really need.
He can't defend the post. Now I understand the argument that this is something that can be taught, but my hope is that this draft puts us in contention for a playoff spot. So whoever we draft (as a big) is going to be taking over the reins from Ben Wallace, who even at 38 is the best defender on our team. Munroe is good but not great, so if we pair him with this guy we will be in the bonus too quickly and get dominated in the paint. He is so athletic that he should be an extremely good defender.
