Meyers Leonard in the NBA Draft - Leonard selected 11th by Portland

jmwillini · Apr 2, 2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Yates

Best of luck to Meyers Leonard. He has a world of talent and he deserves to realize his dream.

What he said. From everything I have seen personally, a quality kid.

scubadunk · Apr 2, 2012, 07:57 PM

Congrats and good luck

Dan · Apr 2, 2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Just like to thank everyone who's ever been there for me. And everyone else. Couldn't do it w/o you. Thanks so much for everything.

http://twitter.com/MLeonard_12

Groundhogday · Apr 2, 2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james81

Weber said that the lure of the NBA affected ML's play earlier in the season, and we saw the response--putting him on the bench. Why was that true for ML and not, for example, for Barnes at UNC or Davis at UK? I could be wrong but I felt that Weber never nurtured the mentality that these kids could be pro players. The thing about Calipari, like him or not, he recruits kids who believe they can make it to the pros and he creates an environment to nurture that belief. As a result they play hard while maintaining that dream. At Illinois it seems that players like ML were told to set that dream aside, that it was a distraction, makes you lazy, gets you benched. If we expect to attract players like Davis, you have to play those guys and inspire their dreams, not repress them.

Honestly, I can't fathom what you are thinking. Why did Weber work so hard to get Leonard on the international team. Because he wanted to repress his dreams? Why did he work so hard to help Leonard harness his emotions, develop a low post move, learn to block shots without fouling, etc.... TO repress his dreams?!

Get real. Leonard came to Illinois as an EXTREMELY raw big man who didn't have a clue how to play the game. He leaves after his sophomore year as a lottery pick. And Weber repressed his dreams? Get a frickin' clue.

HeartofaChampion · Apr 2, 2012, 08:12 PM

No surprise. ML will become a very good starting 5 in the NBA someday. Lots of hugs and congrats from teammates when they heard the news from him. ML got emotional (no surprise) and teared up. One of first people he called with the news was BW. Great kid.

Thor015 · Apr 2, 2012, 08:13 PM

Good luck mr Leonard. Do illini nation proud

radiodj · Apr 2, 2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Honestly, I can't fathom what you are thinking. Why did Weber work so hard to get Leonard on the international team. Because he wanted to repress his dreams? Why did he work so hard to help Leonard harness his emotions, develop a low post move, learn to block shots without fouling, etc.... TO repress his dreams?!

Get real. Leonard came to Illinois as an EXTREMELY raw big man who didn't have a clue how to play the game. He leaves after his sophomore year as a lottery pick. And Weber repressed his dreams? Get a frickin' clue.

GHD...there's no point in arguing with certain people. Some just have WDS (Weber Derangement System).

Wokker · Apr 2, 2012, 08:13 PM

Good luck to Meyers.

Onward EGWU and IBBY!

radiodj · Apr 2, 2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

No surprise. ML will become a very good starting 5 in the NBA someday. Lots of hugs and congrats from teammates when they heard the news from him. ML got emotional (no surprise) and teared up. One of first people he called with the news was BW. Great kid.

HoC, do you get the impression ML would have stayed for his Jr year if not for his mom?

blmillini · Apr 2, 2012, 08:20 PM

That is a shame! I hope he does well but have my doubts.

Dan · Apr 2, 2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Illinois center Meyers Leonard will stay in the 2012 NBA Draft. Leonard has hired B.J. Armstrong of Wasserman Media Group to represent him.

http://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA

zhawks · Apr 2, 2012, 08:29 PM

called this one from day one when we signed him.

zoggle101 · Apr 2, 2012, 08:30 PM

Looks like there are five lottery picks playing in this game and another four from UNC. There isn't a lot of lottery pick spots left after that. On page one someone put up a couple mock drafts. One thing is for sure. This is a more talented draft than people realize.

Not all the underclass talent that is out there have decided what they are doing. Deshaun Thomas is a lottery pick top 20 guy if he decides to leave. I could see Thomas as a future all star with his skill set, size/length.

Illini B-Ball Fan · Apr 2, 2012, 08:36 PM

Thanks for the memories, Meyers!

fish48 · Apr 2, 2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groundhogday

Honestly, I can't fathom what you are thinking. Why did Weber work so hard to get Leonard on the international team. Because he wanted to repress his dreams? Why did he work so hard to help Leonard harness his emotions, develop a low post move, learn to block shots without fouling, etc.... TO repress his dreams?!

Get real. Leonard came to Illinois as an EXTREMELY raw big man who didn't have a clue how to play the game. He leaves after his sophomore year as a lottery pick. And Weber repressed his dreams? Get a frickin' clue.

POTD

futureillinicome2014 · Apr 2, 2012, 08:50 PM

im almost positive bp3 is staying

Calilama · Apr 2, 2012, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeartofaChampion

No surprise. ML will become a very good starting 5 in the NBA someday. Lots of hugs and congrats from teammates when they heard the news from him. ML got emotional (no surprise) and teared up. One of first people he called with the news was BW. Great kid.

Couldn't agree more...hope he finds his way to the Bulls and pulls the Butkus trifecta....

JSpence · Apr 2, 2012, 09:02 PM

Congrats and good luck, Meyers! Come back and take some greenies to school now and again!

cmore · Apr 2, 2012, 09:09 PM

Is that the former Chicago Bull, BJ Armstrong?

ILLINIShox24 · Apr 2, 2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmore

Is that the former Chicago Bull, BJ Armstrong?

Yes

Best of luck Meyers

Illini Ad Man · Apr 2, 2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmore

Is that the former Chicago Bull, BJ Armstrong?

Is that the former Hawkeye BJ Armstrong? Pearl probably offered him a Chevy Blazer.

joekam · Apr 2, 2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illinifanatic33

Watch out for Egwu! Breakout year coming!

Agree. Egwu will fill in for Leonard better than people think. He doesn't have as high a ceiling as Leonard could have had next season, but we won't be crippled at C.

Regardless, thanks to ML for his time here and lookin forward to seeing him do big things in the NBA like our boy D Will.

Bill74 · Apr 2, 2012, 09:48 PM

I'm thinking Meyers will probably have to properly learn his craft in Europe for maybe a couple of years. Chance to mature and learn a language!

helppitch · Apr 2, 2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill74

I'm thinking Meyers will probably have to properly learn his craft in Europe for maybe a couple of years. Chance to mature and learn a language!

Hew may spend time in the "D" league to get playing time, but he won't be going to Europe. He will get a contract from a NBA team.

helppitch · Apr 2, 2012, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekam

Agree. Egwu will fill in for Leonard better than people think. He doesn't have as high a ceiling as Leonard could have had next season, but we won't be crippled at C.

Regardless, thanks to ML for his time here and lookin forward to seeing him do big things in the NBA like our boy D Will.

Egwu has some talent & really hustles. AWAY from the basket he already is a better defender. It will be interesting to see him develop his game.

Apr 2, 2012, 08:29 PM	#62
zhawks Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Posts: 1,086	called this one from day one when we signed him. __________________ Deuce High Z Twitter DH Twitter

Apr 2, 2012, 08:30 PM	#63
zoggle101 Location: Spfld, IL Posts: 4,410	Looks like there are five lottery picks playing in this game and another four from UNC. There isn't a lot of lottery pick spots left after that. On page one someone put up a couple mock drafts. One thing is for sure. This is a more talented draft than people realize. Not all the underclass talent that is out there have decided what they are doing. Deshaun Thomas is a lottery pick top 20 guy if he decides to leave. I could see Thomas as a future all star with his skill set, size/length. Last edited by zoggle101; Apr 2, 2012 at 08:36 PM.

Apr 2, 2012, 07:57 PM	#52
scubadunk Location: Indiana Posts: 901	Congrats and good luck

Apr 2, 2012, 08:12 PM	#55
HeartofaChampion Posts: 10,336	No surprise. ML will become a very good starting 5 in the NBA someday. Lots of hugs and congrats from teammates when they heard the news from him. ML got emotional (no surprise) and teared up. One of first people he called with the news was BW. Great kid.

Apr 2, 2012, 08:13 PM	#56
Thor015 Posts: 114	Good luck mr Leonard. Do illini nation proud

Apr 2, 2012, 08:13 PM	#58
Wokker Location: "The Good Land", WI Posts: 1,004	Good luck to Meyers. Onward EGWU and IBBY!

Apr 2, 2012, 08:20 PM	#60
blmillini Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 2,007	That is a shame! I hope he does well but have my doubts.

Apr 2, 2012, 08:36 PM	#64
Illini B-Ball Fan Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 170	Thanks for the memories, Meyers!

Apr 2, 2012, 08:50 PM	#66
futureillinicome2014 Posts: 75	im almost positive bp3 is staying

Apr 2, 2012, 09:02 PM	#68
JSpence Location: Glen Carbon, IL Posts: 1,223	Congrats and good luck, Meyers! Come back and take some greenies to school now and again!

Apr 2, 2012, 09:09 PM	#69
cmore Posts: 1,833	Is that the former Chicago Bull, BJ Armstrong?

Apr 2, 2012, 09:48 PM	#73
Bill74 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 167	I'm thinking Meyers will probably have to properly learn his craft in Europe for maybe a couple of years. Chance to mature and learn a language!