The Play Leon! thread

[D Dub]

Leon's game has the ability to make a strong impact on this series as our primary backup Big.  Here's why:


We can mitigate all of the advantages the Lakers have over us by doing one thing well.  Rebounding.

We should own the boards in this series given LA's lack of size & toughness.  If we win the rebounding war, we will limit their fast breaks and in effect - control the tempo of the game.


Enter Leon Powe.  No one on their team will keep him off the glass, he could feast in this series with as little as 15mpg.  Who is going to out muscle this guy?  Between him and Perk, we should be able to keep Pau under 10reb a night and frustrate the heck out of him, manhandling him all over the floor.  Pau doesn't like contact and has lost his cool in the past when played physically.  Leon has proven steady in tough spots and is always ready when called on.


Come on now, Doc -- Give us the Powe Show!!
 

[wdleehi]

I want to 'officially' disagree.  (but don't want to start a separate thread.



This series has long breaks.



play three big men.   KG, Perkins, and PJ.   Powe is the 4th big man there in case of injury or fouls. 

[droopdog7]

I think Powe has earned minutes and should play some, though perhaps not ahead of PJ. 

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think he should be used exactly how he has been used... give him minutes early in the series, see what he gives you, and then make your decision based on that.

During all the series so far, Leon has gotten plenty of minutes during the early portion of the series, and for the most part he has dissapointed or been too inconsistent to be counted on at a regular basis. I expect Doc to extend him the same sort of curtesy, but with a shorter leash. I don't want the bench staying there too long if they're underperforming, something Doc has done too much for my tastes during the playoffs... luckily he hasn't done this as much as the playoffs has progressed, evidenced by the shorter rotation.

If he plays well or we're winning handidly, he should get extended minutes, but he shouldn't be getting minutes for the sake of getting minutes with the flawed argument of "he produces if he plays big minutes"; that's simply absurd reasoning.

I really like Leon and all, but I like a championship even more, and if sitting him brings the latter, then I'm all for him not playing. But I want him to do well, but he has to show up during his limited minutes and earn the rest.

[threzd]

I feel that Powe plays with a lot more tenacity and energy than PJ, and a lot of times that just might be what we need.

[celts55]

I want to 'officially' disagree.  (but don't want to start a separate thread.



This series has long breaks.



play three big men.   KG, Perkins, and PJ.   Powe is the 4th big man there in case of injury or fouls. 

While I think you're right about going 3 deep, we must keep in mind that Perk is still foul prone, and PJ is not that young. I could see Powe getting himself some minutes and I feel that he'll do okay when needed.

[Chris]

I want to 'officially' disagree.  (but don't want to start a separate thread.



This series has long breaks.



play three big men.   KG, Perkins, and PJ.   Powe is the 4th big man there in case of injury or fouls. 

I wouldn't mind giving Powe a look over PJ.  I think KG and Perk should both be playing 40 minutes per game at least, but I think Powe might actually be a good matchup against the Lakers.

The Lakers don't really have the size off the bench that some of the other teams have had.  Basically, Turiaf is their big off the bench, and he isn't really any bigger than Powe.

[Bahku]

Yes ... by all means, please play Leon, and Eddie, and Big Baby! They've all proven their worth at various times this season, (though BB makes me a bit more nervous than the other two), and we need to draw on every source we can.

[Mr October]

I want to 'officially' disagree.  (but don't want to start a separate thread.



This series has long breaks.



play three big men.   KG, Perkins, and PJ.   Powe is the 4th big man there in case of injury or fouls. 

Agree 100%. We need PJ's length and know-how.

[dark_lord]

leon needs minutes.  he is the best on the team at maximizing his time on the floor and consistently contributes.  he is physical, can finish around the hoop, and is the best offensive rebounder we have.  PLAY LEON!

[Chris]

leon needs minutes.  he is the best on the team at maximizing his time on the floor and consistently contributes.  he is physical, can finish around the hoop, and is the best offensive rebounder we have.  PLAY LEON!

I think this is an overstatement, but I definitely think he is a good matchup against LA. 

[wdleehi]

leon needs minutes.  he is the best on the team at maximizing his time on the floor and consistently contributes.  he is physical, can finish around the hoop, and is the best offensive rebounder we have.  PLAY LEON!

I think this is an overstatement, but I definitely think he is a good matchup against LA. 

He is a good matchup against the backup big.


But against the starters.


To short for Gasol.

To slow for Odom.


I like PJ because with his size, you can keep KG on Odom.  Play the Perk/PJ combo when Odom is on the bench.

[dark_lord]

leon needs minutes.  he is the best on the team at maximizing his time on the floor and consistently contributes.  he is physical, can finish around the hoop, and is the best offensive rebounder we have.  PLAY LEON!

I think this is an overstatement, but I definitely think he is a good matchup against LA. 

i respect your stance and we likely agree on some of my point, just curious as to what is "overstated"?

[Jon]

I agree with the general sentiment.  Also, against a starting front line that is all 6-10 or above, I like the 6-11 Brown over the generously listed 6-8 Powe, who is probably something closer to 6-6.

[Chris]

leon needs minutes.  he is the best on the team at maximizing his time on the floor and consistently contributes.  he is physical, can finish around the hoop, and is the best offensive rebounder we have.  PLAY LEON!

I think this is an overstatement, but I definitely think he is a good matchup against LA. 

i respect your stance and we likely agree on some of my point, just curious as to what is "overstated"?

The part about him being the best on the team at maximizing his time on the floor.  I also think he needs to work on his consistency, as he does struggle against certain types of matchups.