What Happened to Leon Powe?

[KCattheStripe]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=sIQMZ

Craig Smith is very comparable to Davis in my eyes, less versatile in that he's not comfortable taking 18 footers I suppose. But then again taking 18 foot jump shots and making 36% of them isn't exactly a difference maker between two players. Smith shoots about as well from that distance, he just shoots less of them.

He also isn't good enough on D to earn minutes on the Clips.

He's getting relatively consistent minutes as their primary back up big man. He's a backup 4 man, same as Davis. They're going to keep laying Jordan/Griffin trying to develop them.

So he's getting semi-consistent minutes on a terrible team and the Baby is getting consistent minutes on a Great team.

Baby was drafted by a great team, Smith was drafted by a terrible team. When this team was healthy last year Davis got Craig Smith minutes, I expect the same will happen this year if we get healthy.

Smith had the option this summer to go to another team and didn't.

[Fafnir]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=sIQMZ

Craig Smith is very comparable to Davis in my eyes, less versatile in that he's not comfortable taking 18 footers I suppose. But then again taking 18 foot jump shots and making 36% of them isn't exactly a difference maker between two players. Smith shoots about as well from that distance, he just shoots less of them.

He also isn't good enough on D to earn minutes on the Clips.

He's getting relatively consistent minutes as their primary back up big man. He's a backup 4 man, same as Davis. They're going to keep laying Jordan/Griffin trying to develop them.

So he's getting semi-consistent minutes on a terrible team and the Baby is getting consistent minutes on a Great team.

Baby was drafted by a great team, Smith was drafted by a terrible team. When this team was healthy last year Davis got Craig Smith minutes, I expect the same will happen this year if we get healthy.

Smith had the option this summer to go to another team and didn't.

And that means what?

[KCattheStripe]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=sIQMZ

Craig Smith is very comparable to Davis in my eyes, less versatile in that he's not comfortable taking 18 footers I suppose. But then again taking 18 foot jump shots and making 36% of them isn't exactly a difference maker between two players. Smith shoots about as well from that distance, he just shoots less of them.

He also isn't good enough on D to earn minutes on the Clips.

He's getting relatively consistent minutes as their primary back up big man. He's a backup 4 man, same as Davis. They're going to keep laying Jordan/Griffin trying to develop them.

So he's getting semi-consistent minutes on a terrible team and the Baby is getting consistent minutes on a Great team.

Baby was drafted by a great team, Smith was drafted by a terrible team. When this team was healthy last year Davis got Craig Smith minutes, I expect the same will happen this year if we get healthy.

Smith had the option this summer to go to another team and didn't.

And that means what?

That 29 other teams didn't bother to give him a one year offer like he signed this summer. You saying Baby wouldn't have gotten multiple offers this past summer.

[Fafnir]

That 29 other teams didn't bother to give him a one year offer like he signed this summer. You saying Baby wouldn't have gotten multiple offers this past summer.

And several teams lined up to pay Joe Johnson a maximum salary deal. Using what teams pay and pursue a given player doesn't tell the whole story about a player's value.

Is Shaq just worth the veteran's minimum?

[KCattheStripe]

That 29 other teams didn't bother to give him a one year offer like he signed this summer. You saying Baby wouldn't have gotten multiple offers this past summer.

And several teams lined up to pay Joe Johnson a maximum salary deal. Using what teams pay and pursue a given player doesn't tell the whole story about a player's value.

Is Shaq just worth the veteran's minimum?

N, but the number of teams interested should tell you something, especially if a player chooses to willingly go back to an unsuccessful franchise for which he plays a small role.

[radiohead]

i think byron scott should give leon a real shot at contributing for the cavs. jj hickson has been horrible for them as of late.

[Brendan]

Leon wasn't just good in 2008 - he was fantastic. Borderline all star good. He had 21 PER and then a 17 the next year. Also keep in mind he was hurt late in the season and kept playing - then was injured in the playoffs in 2009.

Since its become a BBD vs Powe discussion:

Athletics:
Both are very strong players that have good upper body strength.
Powe has freakishly long arms for his height, good leaping abiility, and very soft hands. Injury prone.

BBD has uncanny agility and dexterity, and the bulk to bang with bigger players.

BBall:
Powe is better finishing at the rim, rebounding, and moving without the ball (running on the break, cutting to the rim, and positioning for boards.) Defensively Powe could take a charge, block a shot, and had active hands. Pure PF.

BBD is a superior ball handler and has longer range on his shot. His quick feet make him a much better man defender - which makes a big diff in Boston's system. BBD has developed a great knack for taking a charge. BBD can play C or PF.


But you have to be in it to win it, and BBD has stayed healthy (generally) and Powe hasn't.

[Megatron]

Leon Powe is a shell of his former self, constant injuries will do that to you.

His career as an impact player is over, thats the way the NBA works. When your body cant hang, your careers down the drain. He was never a good jump-shooter to begin with, so he basically cant do much of anything anymore.

He might get healthy, he might not. I wish him the best of luck, hes from my hometown (Oakland) and he was a local hero when he had that 21 point game in the 08' finals.

P.S. Baby is a legit starter and is worth way more money then what the C's are paying him right now. Enjoy him while he lasts, hes up for 6th man of the year honors this year.