What has happened to Leon Powe?

[Evantime34]

At the start of the season in my opinion he was the best player on our bench and a key to our early success. Now he's buried behind BBD. What has Powe done to deserve this? Why would you not stick with him if the best he can give has been shown to be more than the best BBD can give?

[gkiteisscal]

Powe does not pass out of the post.  He has not showed great skill with handling the double team.  His defensive rotations are not as strong.  He can't stretch the floor.  Lastly, he does not have the frame to play C.  For all those reasons BBD is ahead of him on the dpeth chart.  Teams have adjusted to his play, he hasn't readjusted yet.  He is still a better player than BBD, but BBD is better in his role.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

His defense at times has been a disaster... He's given up quite a few open layups because he's blown rotations.

Also, another small thing I've noticed is his hands on offense have been inconsistent. When he misses the defensive rotations, it's a little easier to overlook if he's performing well on offense. PPG, FG% and FT% is down from last year, while his turnover numbers have increased bigtime. He's already passed his turnover numbers from last year despite played 233 less minutes. It's all small scale stuff, but it adds up.

PPG- 7.9 to 6.7 ppg
FG- 57% to 53%
FT- 71% to 66%
TO per game- .77 to 1.18

[Evantime34]

I thought I remembered him playing very well during the winning streak. Lately I think his poor play might have to do with his decreased role. If his numbers were better early season I think it indicates that he should play his self out of his slump.

[expobear]

I thought I remembered him playing very well during the winning streak. Lately I think his poor play might have to do with his decreased role. If his numbers were better early season I think it indicates that he should play his self out of his slump.

Powe's just living the life of a NBA tenth man, a typical journeyman, if you will.  His mistakes are more costly and magnified. If he provides any spark off the bench, it's only expected. Not a bad existence but this is basically what his NBA existence will be. Too short, too slow, not talented enough to be a starter but his best skills are to score garbage points and perhaps rebound. For a championship caliber team, some time that's not enough.   

[Roy Hobbs]

His defense at times has been a disaster... He's given up quite a few open layups because he's blown rotations.

Also, another small thing I've noticed is his hands on offense have been inconsistent. When he misses the defensive rotations, it's a little easier to overlook if he's performing well on offense. PPG, FG% and FT% is down from last year, while his turnover numbers have increased bigtime. He's already passed his turnover numbers from last year despite played 233 less minutes. It's all small scale stuff, but it adds up.

PPG- 7.9 to 6.7 ppg
FG- 57% to 53%
FT- 71% to 66%
TO per game- .77 to 1.18

I think the reason Leon's numbers have declined is because he's playing next to BBD, rather than KG and Posey, like last year.  Powe has already played more minutes next to BBD than he did all of last season.  That's bound to hurt his numbers, because face it, BBD has been horrific this year. 

Obviously, the better players that surround somebody, the better that they're likely to play.

[expobear]

His defense at times has been a disaster... He's given up quite a few open layups because he's blown rotations.

Also, another small thing I've noticed is his hands on offense have been inconsistent. When he misses the defensive rotations, it's a little easier to overlook if he's performing well on offense. PPG, FG% and FT% is down from last year, while his turnover numbers have increased bigtime. He's already passed his turnover numbers from last year despite played 233 less minutes. It's all small scale stuff, but it adds up.

PPG- 7.9 to 6.7 ppg
FG- 57% to 53%
FT- 71% to 66%
TO per game- .77 to 1.18

I think the reason Leon's numbers have declined is because he's playing next to BBD, rather than KG and Posey, like last year.  Powe has already played more minutes next to BBD than he did all of last season.  That's bound to hurt his numbers, because face it, BBD has been horrific this year. 

Obviously, the better players that surround somebody, the better that they're likely to play.

Roy,

It's not like Powe's numbers this year are total crap either.  Last year, his numbers were just off the chart. Whatever Powe has done, he certainly has lost River's confidence.  I'm not sure what Powe is thinking at this point in time but I have a feeling he won't be a Celtic next year.

[Evantime34]

His defense at times has been a disaster... He's given up quite a few open layups because he's blown rotations.

Also, another small thing I've noticed is his hands on offense have been inconsistent. When he misses the defensive rotations, it's a little easier to overlook if he's performing well on offense. PPG, FG% and FT% is down from last year, while his turnover numbers have increased bigtime. He's already passed his turnover numbers from last year despite played 233 less minutes. It's all small scale stuff, but it adds up.

PPG- 7.9 to 6.7 ppg
FG- 57% to 53%
FT- 71% to 66%
TO per game- .77 to 1.18

I think the reason Leon's numbers have declined is because he's playing next to BBD, rather than KG and Posey, like last year.  Powe has already played more minutes next to BBD than he did all of last season.  That's bound to hurt his numbers, because face it, BBD has been horrific this year. 

Obviously, the better players that surround somebody, the better that they're likely to play.

I agree that BBD has been horrific so then why is he getting more minutes than Powe? At this point BBD and House are giving us nothing, if that continues we don't have a chance in the playoffs.

[billysan]

At the start of the season in my opinion he was the best player on our bench and a key to our early success. Now he's buried behind BBD. What has Powe done to deserve this? Why would you not stick with him if the best he can give has been shown to be more than the best BBD can give?

While there are those that will disagree, I think Leon is overrated on this board and therefore there are unreasonable expectations. He has certainly had some really nice games and there have been signs of a promising future, but he has never developed any real consistency offensively or defensively.

I love his work ethic and do not wish him gone, but he is undersized and still misses defensive assignments regularly. I know there are some who will say he has an exceptional standing reach and is a 'tough guy' in the post. That doesnt make up for a lack of overall leaping ability and quickness in general for his size.

Davis is seeing minutes because he is the only real alternative to Leon's role as the frist big off the bench. I think he has quicker feet and is more effective defensively the Leon. He also has greater foot speed and more strength. Both are better suited as second unit PF than back up centers.

Leon's greatest effectiveness and bext games are usually 'matchup based'. Unfortuneately his flaws and inconsistenccy are also very visible in certain matchups. We simply need someone a little better or with a small number of the same type flaws as Leon to be our back up center and first big off the bench at this point.

[Andy Jick]

what a turn of events...just a month ago there were some here who wanted him starting...

[MattD]

PPG, FG% and FT% is down from last year, while his turnover numbers have increased bigtime.

On the other hand, Powe's assists and blocks have both doubled this year, his free throw attempts are up, and while his scoring is down, his shot attempts are also down.

At the start of the season, they did a lot of isolating him in the post against bigger opponents, often without anyone on his side of the floor to pass to.  More recently, they've moved Ray or Pruitt to a better position to receive a pass, and Powe's been doing a better job of finding them (hence some of the assist numbers).  And I actually think his defensive rotations are much better this year...I think the block numbers show he is getting himself in better position.  Not perfect, but better.

Powe is what he is, he does have his limitations.  When the team is going well, he can be a very important piece, scoring easy baskets, getting the other team's bigs in foul trouble, playing physical defense, etc.; but he's not a guy who is going to get the team going well on his own and carry it on his back.  Where Powe is at his best is finding open space around the basket ready to receive a pass, banging on the boards, blitzing the roll and defending in the post.  The way the team has been using him, isolated on the post or trying to guard more perimeter-oriented PFs, much of those strengths have been negated.  He's not a guy who is really going to create shots for himself -- you see him at his best playing with the starting unit (see his game when he started a C against Golden State for example) or when the second unit is doing a good job moving the ball and/or driving to the basket (TA being out has probably hurt Powe's offense a bit, although Pruitt has given him a couple of good feeds in the past several games).

I write all this, BTW, as a guy who bought a Powe jersey last year and wear it to the games I attend, so I do have my biases.

[crownsy]

His defense at times has been a disaster... He's given up quite a few open layups because he's blown rotations.

Also, another small thing I've noticed is his hands on offense have been inconsistent. When he misses the defensive rotations, it's a little easier to overlook if he's performing well on offense. PPG, FG% and FT% is down from last year, while his turnover numbers have increased bigtime. He's already passed his turnover numbers from last year despite played 233 less minutes. It's all small scale stuff, but it adds up.

PPG- 7.9 to 6.7 ppg
FG- 57% to 53%
FT- 71% to 66%
TO per game- .77 to 1.18

I think the reason Leon's numbers have declined is because he's playing next to BBD, rather than KG and Posey, like last year.  Powe has already played more minutes next to BBD than he did all of last season.  That's bound to hurt his numbers, because face it, BBD has been horrific this year. 

Obviously, the better players that surround somebody, the better that they're likely to play.

I agree that BBD has been horrific so then why is he getting more minutes than Powe? At this point BBD and House are giving us nothing, if that continues we don't have a chance in the playoffs.

actually BBD gives you alot on defense, but dont let reality get in the way of a good rant.

[Scalablob990]

what a turn of events...just a month ago there were some here who wanted him starting...

I still would love to see him starting. Nothing has changed on my end, how about people start a thread talking about that worthless fat blob Scalabrine, rather then making a thread about Powe being horrible. 

[ForexPirate]

BBD is being shopped - nothing is wrong with Powe

[Roy Hobbs]

BBD is being shopped - nothing is wrong with Powe

I'm sure today's 1-for-12 did wonders for his market value.  Ugh.