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NBA: 10 Players Failing To Live Up To Expectations In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) is defended by Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) is defended by Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Meyers Leonard (11) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Timberwolves 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Meyers Leonard

C.J. McCollum and Meyers Leonard represent the polar opposites of players taking on expanded roles for the Portland Trail Blazers. McCollum is thriving in a starting role, lighting up opposing backcourts up with more responsibility; Leonard had to overcome a shoulder injury and has been playing at such a bland level that he began coming off the bench behind Noah Vonleh.

With Vonleh averaging 3.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game, Leonard has been dealing with his own growing pains off the bench that many assumed were behind the third-year stretch-5 after his breakout playoff performance last year.

Head coach Terry Stotts believes Vonleh playing with the starters and Leonard paired with Ed Davis in the frontcourt off the bench gives Rip City its best chance to win. But most were expecting more than the 8.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game on 42.3 percent shooting (28.7 percent from deep) that he’s supplying.

Next: No. 9