Player profile: Leon Powe
This is the 11th in a series of profiles for all 15 players on the current Celtics roster. We'll profile at least one player each day leading up to the season opener on Tuesday.
Leon Powe
 Leon Powe took the ball to the rim against LA's Ronny Turiaf in the Finals. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff) |
Born: Jan. 22, 1984
Height: 6 feet 8 inches. Weight: 240
College: Cal
Years pro: 2
Acquired: Drafted No. 49 overall by Denver in 2006 (rights traded to Celtics)
2008/2009 salary: $797,581
Signed through: 2008-2009
Last year's numbers: 7.9 ppg, 0.3 apg, 4.1 rpg in 14.4 minutes
Strengths: Powe is a monster on the glass, a guy who uses his strength and athleticism to clear space under the rim. But he can also score the ball a little. Remember thata 21-point outburst in Game 2 of the NBA Finals? To some it might have come out of nowhere, but Powe could score the ball a little at Cal, and if you're going to leave him wide open for an entire game he has no problem burning you. He's been a lot more aggressive on offense this preseason, adding a turnaround jumper to his arsenal.
Weaknesses: Powe needs to prove that he can consistently make that mid-range jump shot. He's undersized, so while his post moves are very good, he'll be less effective if opposing defenses force him inside against bigger players. If he can step out and give opponents a change of pace, he could be very dangerous. Size is also an issue if the Celtics want to play Powe (or Glen Davis) at center. While it works against most teams, it's unfair to ask Leon to guard Dwight Howard or Yao.
What to expect: The only reason the Celtics got Powe so late in the draft is because teams were scared off by previous knee injuries. If he's healthy, Powe should be a very good player in this league. He's going to get a lot better this season, and it can't happen to a nicer guy. He's a hard-working, respectful young man who has earned the trust of his teammates. He should be the first big man off the bench for Boston, and he could play long stretches against teams that don't have a dominant center (there are lots of them now).
Check back tomorrow for another player profile, and give us your expectations for Powe in our comments section.
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Without Posey around, the expectations on Leon to score, rebound and just flat-out harass people will be high. I see Leon having a breakout season, and alot of the teams who passed him up in the draft because he of his knee regretting it. He and Big Baby both coming in off the bench could spell havoc and huge match-up problems for other teams. Look for him to also take some of the pressure off Sugar Ray, Anything's Possible and P-Squared to do all the scoring when he's on the floor.
Gary, Please check your facts,Powe was 2006 draft,not 2007, which makes him 2 year pro. Thanks, your doing a good job on profiles.
RESPONSE FROM GARY DZEN: You're right, Don. Careless of me. Thanks for the heads up, and thanks for reading.
Powe was drafted in 2006, has been a Celtic for 2 years, and is everything Red Auerbach would want a Celtic to be.
I think Leon will be a major part of the C's success this year. Love his work ethic and his hard nosed defense. Not that often you see someone who knows position rebounding anymore,boxing out. As Tommy might say: I.. .LOVE ...LEON!
Leon Powe is the most underrated player on this team. POWE FO SHO!
Greetings from Leon's hometown! Out here, we soooo want to see this young man do well that we find ourselves rooting for the Celts! Leon Powe: The Show! What a great story!
Thought he was drafted by Denver.
I am an Arlington native who watched Powe in high school and college. The 21 points in the final are no fluke. He scored at will and was nails at both levels prior to the pros. He should become much better as a pro given the proper opportunity.
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