Kawhi down to #7 in Grantland's Rookie Rankings

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Yes yes these things don't matter, but thought I'd post for those who like to read up on Spurs players in any form:



http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7599097/nba-rookie-rankings-vii-including-kyrie-irving-enes-kanter-ricky-rubio-more



7. Kawhi Leonard

Aside from his terrific post defense, which we covered last week, Leonard struggles on defense. Overall, Leonard gives up 0.894 points per possession. He's in the bottom third of NBA defenders. Teams have started to realize that attacking Leonard off the dribble is the way to score against him. Against isolations and pick-and-rolls, Leonard allows a PPP of 1.00, placing him in the bottom 9 percent of NBA players. His size is an advantage when he defends the post, but that size hurts him on the perimeter against quicker wing players. Leonard needs to adjust to the speed of NBA ball handlers. Once he figures out how to stay in front of offensive players, he could become a truly scary defender.

[Kewni Leonard]

George Hill.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

George Hill.

is not as good as Kawhi

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Other than Kyrie Irving and maybe Rubio I wouldn't trade Kawhi Leonard for any of those other players. Leonard has so much potential it is unbelievable. Defensively, we knew that he already has some great skills. Offensively, is where I have been immensely surprised. He can handle the rock and is becoming a decent three point shooter.
I would not be surprised if he is our starting small forward next year.

[tuncaboylu]

Grantland sucks.

[Juggity]

Other than Kyrie Irving and maybe Rubio I wouldn't trade Kawhi Leonard for any of those other players. Leonard has so much potential it is unbelievable. Defensively, we knew that he already has some great skills. Offensively, is where I have been immensely surprised. He can handle the rock and is becoming a decent three point shooter.
I would not be surprised if he is our starting small forward next year.

He should be our starting SF right now

[5in10]

George Hill.

George Hill couldnt even dream about putting up the stat line kawhi did last night.

25-10-5.........he has better court vision than GH3 ever will as well.

[Kewni Leonard]

George Hill couldnt even dream about putting up the stat line kawhi did last night.

25-10-5.........he has better court vision than GH3 ever will as well.

HAHAHAHAHAHAH @ citing last night's game as any sort of feat. Um, newsflash, they got destroyed by like 50, one of their greatest losses of all-time. It's an NBA game, someone had to score. How much do you want to bet next game he has about 8 points, 4-5 rebounds and 1 or 2 assists?

[Darkwaters]

He should be our starting SF right now

Agreed. RJ isn't making a case for even being in the rotation, let alone starting, right now. RJ's spot in the starting line-up is about as deserved as Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.

[Hooks]

These stats sound like BS, dude has done a GREAT job of defending this year. How exactly are these stats configured? Seems like the only way you'd know is if you actually watched the whole game to see who he was guarding and how they scored on him.

The thing Leonard really needs to work on is fighting through screens, that's his weakness, that's when he gets scored on. He's also almost ALWAYS guarding the other team's best offensive player.


Leonard vs:

Johnson: 5-12 10 pts
Gay: 9-26 18 pts
Gay again: 0-7 1 point
Durant: 9-19 22 points

etc.

[spursince#99]

Leonard is the 5th best player on the team

[Mel_13]

Yes yes these things don't matter, but thought I'd post for those who like to read up on Spurs players in any form:



http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7599097/nba-rookie-rankings-vii-including-kyrie-irving-enes-kanter-ricky-rubio-more



7. Kawhi Leonard

Aside from his terrific post defense, which we covered last week, Leonard struggles on defense. Overall, Leonard gives up 0.894 points per possession. He's in the bottom third of NBA defenders. Teams have started to realize that attacking Leonard off the dribble is the way to score against him. Against isolations and pick-and-rolls, Leonard allows a PPP of 1.00, placing him in the bottom 9 percent of NBA players. His size is an advantage when he defends the post, but that size hurts him on the perimeter against quicker wing players. Leonard needs to adjust to the speed of NBA ball handlers. Once he figures out how to stay in front of offensive players, he could become a truly scary defender.

The writer, Sebastian Pruiti, is one of the very best analysts out there. No need to get mad if he identifies areas where a 20 year old rookie can improve. I'd say Kawhi did a nice job defending a pretty fair perimeter player on the final play of OT v. the Clippers. Pop certainly has no problem using him in those situations.

[pgardn]

I love his attitude. He shows composure, plays hard, deflects passes and pesters very well. I have seen him miss a few rotations but overall he gets to people very well while rotating.

Other pleasant surprises include his 3 point abilities and his recognition of what he can and cannot do with the dribble.

I really like this kid. Trading up to get him looks to be another smooth move. He looks like he can fit Pop extremely well. I think the emergence of Green has probably cut into his playing time, but its not a bad thing.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i wish pop breaks up the big3 or remove their responsibilities and promote KL as the franchise player...

[Hooks]

The writer, Sebastian Pruiti, is one of the very best analysts out there. No need to get mad if he identifies areas where a 20 year old rookie can improve. I'd say Kawhi did a nice job defending a pretty fair perimeter player on the final play of OT v. the Clippers. Pop certainly has no problem using him in those situations.

How'd he come up with those stats though?

He'd have to be watching every single Spurs game, paying attention to Leonard and taking notes. He'd have to do that with every other rookie he analyzed as well.

[ace3g]

One thing KL can develop into (especially with his dribbling skills/hand size) is point foward, similar to Odom. If he gets the rebound, let him set up the offense.

[Mel_13]

How'd he come up with those stats though?

He'd have to be watching every single Spurs game, paying attention to Leonard and taking notes. He'd have to do that with every other rookie he analyzed as well.

There are services that provide these stats for a fee. Guys like Pruiti have these stats available to them at the click of a mouse.

[Em-City]

When applying such analysis, one would need to factor in that leonard guards the opponent's best perimeter player each night

[TDMVPDPOY]

i think kl can outscore the best player whoever his on.....too bad his like passive with the big3 or lucky 4-5 option on offense

[Leetonidas]

HAHAHAHAHAHAH @ citing last night's game as any sort of feat. Um, newsflash, they got destroyed by like 50, one of their greatest losses of all-time. It's an NBA game, someone had to score. How much do you want to bet next game he has about 8 points, 4-5 rebounds and 1 or 2 assists?

He still played against Portland's starters and played well, quit being a faggot. Also 40 is not "like 50," dipshit :lol

[jeebus]

He still played against Portland's starters and played well, quite being a faggot. Also 40 is not "like 50," dipshit :lol

:lol Well said.

[Aztecfan03]

I thought he has been good in isolation?