Tokito: Blazers Coach Terry Stotts Says C Meyers Leonard Had "Best Game Of The Season" Versus Warriors

Mike Tokito of The Oregonian reports the post-game reaction from Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts after rookie center Meyers Leonard finished with a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds in 41 minutes during a blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.

"I felt pretty good," Leonard said. "My defense has got to get better, my rebounding has got to get better, but offensively I kind of got into a groove late there in the game. I had a rough stretch there in the third where I couldn't seem to make a shot, but I just got to keep my head up. "

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"Meyers gave a lot of effort. He was fatigued, and he shot the ball well. I thought he took the challenge defensively," Stotts said. "He made some mistakes, but obviously it was his best game of the season. It's valuable experience for him."

Here's highlights via YouTube user DownToBuck.

Stotts has been reluctant to play and praise Leonard at times this season, calling him a "poor post defender" back in November.

Leonard, 21, started for the second straight game with All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge out with an ankle injury.

Dave's write-up of Leonard's game is here.

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