Freeman: Blazers Assistant Kim Hughes Says Meyers Leonard Should Become An All-Star

Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports that Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Kim Hughes is setting a high bar for his pupil, rookie center Meyers Leonard.

"It will not happen in the first 20 games." Hughes said. "But if he progresses quickly, after 20 games, perhaps you'll see a viable result. We'll see it in practice first, but I think the public may see it after 20 if he's very fast. If not, maybe by game 40. But he will progress and he will get better."

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"I would be disappointed if he's not an All-Star," Hughes said. "I have no fear of saying that. I've told him that ... and I truly believe that."

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"I think he's a really good guy and I think he has a good heart," Hughes said. "He just doesn't know the world yet. I've told him that the life of an NBA person is a decadent life at times. Do you understand what you're in for? And he's told me he really loves his girlfriend and he can be faithful. I said, 'Well that's a very good thing if you can keep your word. And I think you can. But you've got to work on that because you don't realize what it's like out there.'"

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter