Getting To Know Leon Powe
2010-03-03
Cavs fans have been waiting for Leon Powe to get on the court ever since the Cavs picked him up for a song this off-season. Powe has a much better resume than any other player who would be available for so cheap, but teams stayed away from him because he was recovering from yet another major knee injury.
Leon Powe was once considered one of the top talents in his high school class. (Between James, Powe, and Telfair, the Cavs currently employ three players who were hugely touted high school prospects at around the same time. Interesting how that worked out.)
Powe is an undersized but tough post player with two elite skills. He can rebound, and he can draw fouls. Powe’s only had one great season in terms of field goal percentage, but his astronomical foul rate has allowed him to have a great True Shooting percentage throughout his career.
Powe’s got some moves in the low post, but he’s more of a bully than a finesse player down there. He wants to get his shoulder into his man, go right at the rim, and either finish or draw the contact.
In Boston, Powe played more center than power forward his rookie year, more power forward than center in his sophomore campaign, and saw almost no time at the five last season. With Shaq and Ilgauskas out, Powe will be asked to play some center. Bringing him off the bench makes a lot of sense because he won’t fact as many players who can take advantage of him down low. At the beginning of second quarters, he should be great at getting opposing teams in the bonus early in the quarter.
The current situation at center should allow Powe to play to his strengths. He’s not a full-time center, but his toughness and ability to play inside will provide an excellent change of pace off the bench. At the beginning of the season, I thought that Shaq would be better served in a lot of ways coming off the bench and taking advantage of those matchups. With Shaq, that wasn’t possible. Powe isn’t nearly on Shaq’s level as a player, but he has many of the same strengths and weaknesses on a lesser scale.
Powe’s more than a nice comeback story and a player who can provide some toughness. Small-ball provided a nice change of pace when the Cavs are at full strength and play “big.” Small-ball is going to be the norm for the Cavs over the next little while, but it will be Powe’s ability inside that ends up providing the change of pace. Until March 22nd at least, Powe’s contributions could be more than just a luxury.
I’m not as happy with Powe as I thought I would be. It seems to me that he plays out of control a little bit. Maybe it’s a bad first impression from his first game where he really had a point to prove, but I think he can be physical while still being a bit more under control. I don’t know why, but that image of Powe fighting Hickson for that rebound in garbage time is really sticking with me. I like his effort level, but don’t be so reckless in garbage time!
As a Cal alum I’m definitely biased, but I’m liking what I see, too. He puts in the effort even during garbage time. It would be great to see him develop into a more offensively aggressive Varejao-type role. Glad he’s got a great opportunity (coming from from injury when Shaq goes out), and maybe he can play himself into MB’s playoff rotation. We all know he can bring it in the playoffs (see Game 2, 2008 Finals). Either way, like Tom, I’m looking forward to some “Powenage” in the coming weeks.
Wow. Bowen’s “answers” made no sense. At all! That was incredible. Thanks for that link. It made my lunch hour!
I was at the Cavs-C’s game last week, and when the Cavs brought Powe into the game, he got a standing ovation from the Boston crowd. Hard-nosed, active – good guy to have on any team.
ben tej: I thought exactly the same… I had to read them again just to make sure I wasnt missing something, but no: they really are incoherent and bizarre.
I love his game and I love that we can now say “Powend!” whenever he destroys someone on the block
I think we just found our Charles Oakley to go with LBJ.
Unlike MJ and Oak, though, neither LBJ or Powe are assholes.
I like what I’ve seen of Powe so far, he’s a one-man wrecking ball and plays meaningful minutes. He hustles, rebounds, draws fouls, and can score close to the rim. At 26 and with a team option for under a million next year, Ferry appears to have gotten a steal … IF Powe stays healthy. I hope he does because I like what he brings to the team.
Admittedly off-topic. Check out the daily dime today. The lead article is one of those infuriating, What Will LeBron Do This Summer? pieces, but I had to point it out because of Bruce Bowen. Have you ever seen a “journalist” give more incoherent answers to questions? There’s also a few points where it seems he has kind of a chip on his shoulder about LeBron. Here’s probably the weirdest non-sequitor of the bunch: “How do you see the trade deadline moves in New York, Chicago and elsewhere affecting the LeBron chase? Bowen: I don’t see the New York trade doing… Read more »