Sixers to host Illinois' Leonard
The Sixers will hold an individual workout Tuesday for Illinois center Meyers Leonard in what is likely their last workout before Thursday's NBA draft.
Sixers to host Illinois' Leonard
The Sixers will hold an individual workout Tuesday for Illinois center Meyers Leonard in what is likely their last workout before Thursday's NBA draft.
Leonard averaged 13.6 pints, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks this past season.
At 7-1 and 250 pounds, he is the definition of raw. He has very good athleticism and good feet but is very unskilled at the offensive end right now.
When he’s shooting from 10 feet or more Leonard often times has his feet in awkward positions, rarely squaring up to the basket the way he should. He is often slow to recognize mismatches offensively and doesn’t take advantage of his size.
Defensively, he is a good shot blocker, especially when he’s helping out on another player. But there are too many times when he loses sight of his man when the ball is with someone else.
Nice to have on the defensive end, but he would add yet another player who can't shoot/score. That is something that we really can't afford to do.— eaglessuperfan- Don't need him to create offense, but he's got to finish. The question is whether he has soft hands/touch.— person
- With that kind of description, we're stung with images of Dalembert, but with guys like Serge Ibaka out there, raw athletic bigs still have a place on winning teams.— chriszak
- I'll pass— brizz33
- I'd like to see us pick the kid up. You can't coach size and he's got it.He block shots and rebounds and he can work on his offense. What i really like though is haven't heard anybody say he's soft or question his motor, something I'm hearing about a lot of guys this year. I mean I'd like him if we pick up a second 1st rd pick.— curtislow
- I like F Melo better for an inside presence. He makes other players on his team better when he's out there. When he was lost for the post-season you knew Cuse was going nowhere. If you want both the inside-outside game look to Nicholson. He's the next P Pierce with the quick high release.— gubbers97
- Pretty harsh analysis by Cooney for a guy who looks to be a lottery pick. Perhaps Bob needs to get in to see the workout tomorrow. The only way the Sixers get him is by a trade up involving Iguodala in my opinion.
Curtislow: you did not say you can't coach size? Reminds me of the legendary comment by Jimmy Lynam about Sean Bradley. How did that work out?— chuckw - gubbers97: Melo is not on the Sixers radar from all accounts. Nicholson, however, is on their radar.— chuckw
- Andre Drummond would be better— Ace-Philadelphia
- Really like this kid, I think he's going to end up being an All-Star one day. He's not raw he is extremely athletic for 7'1" Please trade Igoudala to go up and get this kid! The last guy I liked this much that could slip to a spot where this kid might go was Paul Pierce.— allrightknight
- Ace-Philadelphia: Drummond's a top five pick; Sixers are picking 15th.— chuckw
- If I were the Sixers, I'd be trying hard to resign Hawes. He's only 23 and should be a solid center for years to come.. In the draft the choice is a power forward and my hopes are that Sullinger drops to us at pick 15. Leonard is raw and would represent a big drop off if he is our center next year and we dont retain Hawes. We already have a back up type center in Vucevic and we need a good all around player to man the power forward spot. I haven't seen Moultrie play and have heard nice things about him but his team certainly was not a winner last year.. I like winning players and I would opt for Terrance Jones as our pick if Sullinger is not available at pick 15.— bradco
- drummond could slip to 7, where the sixers could potentially trade up if they wanted. but i wouldnt want leonard, i feel like hes just rising because the lack of true 5s— HDemetriou
- Austin Rivers he has the potential to be a star all these other guys y'all talking about we have already on the team. The Sixers need shooters its been a problem for a while now— PAPOOSE
- PAPOOSE: personally, I prefer Ross over Rivers, but you are correct: they need shooters in the worst way. There is always free agency and a possible trade to get young veterans.— chuckw
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
