Kawhi Leonard Needs to be More Engaged in the Spurs Offense!

[look_at_g_shred]

Am I the only one who sees this. Don't get me wrong I love that Kawhi can be a spot up 3 point shooter when Tony or Manu drive and kicks, yet I believe he should drive the ball in more often. We all know homeboy can dunk. I think it would help us out against bigs (thunder, lakers, clippers). We could get their bigs into foul trouble early. Also when he gets in the paint, he rarley misses. Thoughts?

[Cry Havoc]

Honestly, I feel that Pop is grooming him to be a Bowen type of player and save his energies for the defensive side of things.

[Juggity]

Also when he gets in the paint, he rarley misses.

Except on most fast breaks

[Cry Havoc]

That said, I agree . When KL is aggressive on O, it adds one more wrinkle. I'd like to see him develop a more diverse game.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

yeah I Agree...It is annoying just watching him parked in the corner all game, but unfortunately that's what the small forward does in pop's offense...I hope pop put's the ball in his hands more though i.e post up's, pick and roll's and coming off screen's more often

[DesignatedT]

I would like to see him have the ball more. He is still recently back from a long injury so I think he will eventually get more looks.

[dbreiden83080]

Honestly, I feel that Pop is grooming him to be a Bowen type of player and save his energies for the defensive side of things.

What a waste of potential that would be..

[look_at_g_shred]

yeah I Agree...It is annoying just watching him parked in the corner all game, but unfortunately that's what the small forward does in pop's offense...I hope pop put's the ball in his hands more though i.e post up's, pick and roll's and coming off screen's more often

Yeah man for sure. I'd love to see his post up game not to mention some pick and roll action!

[AFBlue]

Last night the Big 3 were clicking on all cylinders, so everyone was pretty much a spectator. He does a very good job of creating offense from opportunistic defense, and that's his role at this point. That doesn't mean his role won't expand in the future, which is what his summer league stint was all about.

[look_at_g_shred]

What a waste of potential that would be..

For sure!

[skulls138]

I dont think Kawai feels comfortable with the ball in his hand. He doesnt seem to have the subtle ball handling skills and footwork to work in heavy traffic. When he sees some daylight then he will throw the hammer down but when the defense is there he seems lost and makes offensive fouls. I agree that it would be great if they ran some plays for him but start with some easy ones with easy teams. Right now I think he should keep on practicing the three.

[DapDaGenius]

I guess Kawhi's natural offense is more suited for a different playing style. Although now would be a great time for him to try to get suited for how Pop is using him. He needs to sink more of his shots. Just him shooting better would improve how his overall game looks(of course).

With this said, I feel as if he will get to see more of his potential when some of the other players leave. When Manu leaves, that's when I think we'll see Kawhi really being a help in the offensive department. That will only grow when Duncan leaves.

I just hope he starts making more of his shots. I'd like it if Kawhi at least got up to averaging like 12-14 pts.

I think it's funny though, they picked up Kawhi for defense, then last year lots of articles were saying Kawhi wasn't that big of a help on defense but his offense was what was a surprise...now we are seeing people praising his defense but questioning his offense.

Also, maybe Kawhi is one of those players who needs a "partner", that helps him play better and covers his weaknesses. Maybe that is what he needs.

[manu the best]

I feel the same way. Spurs seriously need involve him more on offense. No doubt his a great defender but the spurs are wasting potential on offense. Hopefully we see more kawhi on offense and not only as a spot on shooter.

[chapnis]

I don't think the Spurs NEED to involve him any more on offense, but I sure as hell would love to see them do it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

go to guy in college, now force to be a scrub on the spurs...fkn popabitch

[Obstructed_View]

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/04/07/11/1077851/3/628x471.jpg
I'm so angry that I'm not more engaged!

[chapnis]

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/04/07/11/1077851/3/628x471.jpg
I'm so happy to be playing for the Spurs!

[slick'81]

4th option

[capek]

I would like to see him have the ball more. He is still recently back from a long injury so I think he will eventually get more looks.

Ya, I think it's just that. Pop was starting to run a few plays for Kawhi each game until his injury. That was getting him a little more involved, and if he hadn't have gotten injured, I'm sure Pop would have slowly increased Kawhi's role in the offense, experimenting to see how much responsibility Kawhi could handle at this point in his career. But his injury forced a reset on that, and since he's come back I've assumed Pop's first priority has been to allow him to get his legs back and get used to game speed again. Now that it's been a couple games, and Kawhi's looking like he's back up to speed, I'm pretty sure we'll start seeing Kawhi get his number called a little more.

Fans sometimes forget that where they have the luxury of wanting instant gratification, coaches have to figure out how to actually make shit happen. Sometimes a little perspective is required on our parts.

[Malik Hairston]

I'm a big fan of Kawhi, but he's overrated on ST, tbh..

While I agree that his role should grow, he is not comfortable as a go-to guy at the moment, his dribble game is erratic, especially in transition..I'd like to see Leonard in the mid-post area working the post game and improved mid-range shot, but we haven't yet reached a point where Kawhi is efficient enough to take away touches from the big 3, tbh..

[Proxy]

IIRC, SA had Kawhi playing an increased offensive role over the summer. With those intentions in mind, I'd go ahead and assume his injury is proving to be a major setback to those plans.

[racm]

IIRC, SA had Kawhi playing an increased offensive role over the summer. With those intentions in mind, I'd go ahead and assume his injury is proving to be a major setback to those plans.

They were also anticipating TD and Manu taking more of a backseat in the offense. With Duncan and Ginobili playing well as of late there's no point to rush him into a pseudo 2nd option role.

[chapnis]

I think he is developing him to be good defensively like Bowen, but not like Bowen in all aspects.

[swaggerjackson]

Green is more like Bowen. Pesky defender and three point specialist. Except now he is showing signs of improvement in PnR and finishing at the basket. I agree with whoever said Kawhi is overrated on ST. He is a good player and could be a great player, but he is not ready to take touches away from the big three. I think he will continue to work on outside shooting, defense, and transition game because that is what the team needs of him. Hopefully long term he can develop a backdown game. I would love to see him develop a post up and then fadeaway move. But all that will come in time. Right now the spurs are not hurting for him to provide substantial offense. He just needs to play his role consistently. In the coming years that role may grow to being a 1st or 2nd option, but not right now

[therealtruth]

Green is more like Bowen. Pesky defender and three point specialist. Except now he is showing signs of improvement in PnR and finishing at the basket. I agree with whoever said Kawhi is overrated on ST. He is a good player and could be a great player, but he is not ready to take touches away from the big three. I think he will continue to work on outside shooting, defense, and transition game because that is what the team needs of him. Hopefully long term he can develop a backdown game. I would love to see him develop a post up and then fadeaway move. But all that will come in time. Right now the spurs are not hurting for him to provide substantial offense. He just needs to play his role consistently. In the coming years that role may grow to being a 1st or 2nd option, but not right now

I think it's valuable for the Spurs that they can initiate offense out of someone not named the big 3. It makes it much harder to gameplan against in the playoffs.

[Ice009]

I think it's valuable for the Spurs that they can initiate offense out of someone not named the big 3. It makes it much harder to gameplan against in the playoffs.

yep. The big three can't score at will anymore in the playoffs so having a 4th option that can initiate offense is a must. It would make a huge difference to the Spurs and their chances to have a 4th guy that can carry the load at times.

[swaggerjackson]

I hear you guys, but how many teams have 3 players that rival Tim, Manu, and Tony and then have a 4th scoring option? The offensive boost Kawhi could bring would certainly help the team. But having a nightmare perimeter defender, solid rebounder, and spot up shooter is most likely going to be more beneficially than a good fourth option. I have few complaints about the offense. We need to get the defense into tip top shape if we are going to get another ring. They are improving of course, I am just say Kawhi's impact this year would be greater on the defensive side of the ball. But you do make a valid point about a fourth scoring option. Truthfully I consider Neal to be a fourth scoring option. He is fully capable of generating his own looks when necessary. And yes he can go overboard and play some hero ball.

[EVAY]

I would like to see him have the ball more. He is still recently back from a long injury so I think he will eventually get more looks.

This is what I have been assuming. It is almost as though Tony and Tim don't remember that he is there yet. And they may not...they had to play for so long without him. Now I think Pop is going to have to run specific plays for him to get him well integrated again. I am assuming it will happen because I think his game is ready, they just have to figure how to utilize him in a high-scoring offense, which we have become. (how many of us ever thought we would be writing about the spurs as a high scoring offense in the Pop era?)

[look_at_g_shred]

This is what I have been assuming. It is almost as though Tony and Tim don't remember that he is there yet. And they may not...they had to play for so long without him. Now I think Pop is going to have to run specific plays for him to get him well integrated again. I am assuming it will happen because I think his game is ready, they just have to figure how to utilize him in a high-scoring offense, which we have become. (how many of us ever thought we would be writing about the spurs as a high scoring offense in the Pop era?)

Well I know they've started using a certain play the last couple of games against the Bucks and Hornets where Duncan passes to Leonard on a cut. Each have resulted in monster dunks. Hopefully we run a few more plays during the game!!

[EVAY]

Well I know they've started using a certain play the last couple of games against the Bucks and Hornets where Duncan passes to Leonard on a cut. Each have resulted in monster dunks. Hopefully we run a few more plays during the game!!

I noticed the play last night too, and I believe it was right after a time out. It made me assume that Pop had called the play. I think he have to do it some more.
I thought about the post you quoted above also last night when the spurs couldn't buy a basket. It made me wonder if I had jinxed the team by referring to the Spurs as a high-scoring offense. Last night? Not so much!!

[Brunodf]

Green is more like Bowen. Pesky defender and three point specialist. Except now he is showing signs of improvement in PnR and finishing at the basket. I agree with whoever said Kawhi is overrated on ST. He is a good player and could be a great player, but he is not ready to take touches away from the big three. I think he will continue to work on outside shooting, defense, and transition game because that is what the team needs of him. Hopefully long term he can develop a backdown game. I would love to see him develop a post up and then fadeaway move. But all that will come in time. Right now the spurs are not hurting for him to provide substantial offense. He just needs to play his role consistently. In the coming years that role may grow to being a 1st or 2nd option, but not right now


http://o5.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/baby-smile.jpg

[look_at_g_shred]

I noticed the play last night too, and I believe it was right after a time out. It made me assume that Pop had called the play. I think he have to do it some more.
I thought about the post you quoted above also last night when the spurs couldn't buy a basket. It made me wonder if I had jinxed the team by referring to the Spurs as a high-scoring offense. Last night? Not so much!!

Yeah come Playoff Time, when it's a grind out kind of game (Memphis, Thunder) we need a fourth and fifth scoring option outside of the Big Three. I know Neal can do it, yet we need someone else. Maybe if green can start going the lane and get some shots. When his threes are falling its cool, but when there not like last night, he needs to drive and put pressure on the Defense.

[skulls138]

I saw some good and some bad with Kawhi offensively against the Lakers. I thought he made a good layup on a breakaway after a steal. The bad part of it was his passivity in crunch time. When he drove to the basket and pulled up for a running jump shot, he passed it to Duncan even though it seemed like the shot was open and the pass got stolen. Another time he was open for the three and passed it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

KL needs more shots then just being a spot up shooter....

danny green gets alot of shots just being a spotup shooter

while neal chucks up alot of shit out of the system that goes unpenalized for some odd reason

i wish KL took away these 2 clowns shots attempts...

[look_at_g_shred]

Except on most fast breaks

Bump. Been awhile ehh??

[silverblackfan]

Nice bump. The kid is progressing faster than we thought he would. I just pray he stays healthy, because nothing else is going to slow him down.

[Juggity]

Bump. Been awhile ehh??

Good bump, I agree things have changed a lot for Kawhi in a short period of time. He looks solid out there on offense these days and regularly finishes well on the fast break now.

[apalisoc_9]

Good Call OP.

hopefully game 6 and 7 is enough to convince pop.

[look_at_g_shred]

I'm a big fan of Kawhi, but he's overrated on ST, tbh..

While I agree that his role should grow, he is not comfortable as a go-to guy at the moment, his dribble game is erratic, especially in transition..I'd like to see Leonard in the mid-post area working the post game and improved mid-range shot, but we haven't yet reached a point where Kawhi is efficient enough to take away touches from the big 3, tbh..
You were saying...

[look_at_g_shred]

Good Call OP.

hopefully game 6 and 7 is enough to convince pop.
Thanks. I saw he had potential to be so much more. So he gave us 19 pts and 16 boards in game 7 of the NBA Finals. Holy fuck!

[#1spursfanNvegas]

Anybody else see the resemblance between kawhi's game and Scottie Pippen's? Both outstanding defenders, long arm lenth, smarts for the game, rebounding, all-out effort? Now i know offensively he is not near Pippen's ability, yet, but everything else reminds me of Pip.

[look_at_g_shred]

He's come along way, yet he can add so much more to his game. Love the kid tbh. The only reason Spurs have been able to compete at a high level late in this Spurs era.

[hitmanyr2k]

Anybody else see the resemblance between kawhi's game and Scottie Pippen's? Both outstanding defenders, long arm lenth, smarts for the game, rebounding, all-out effort? Now i know offensively he is not near Pippen's ability, yet, but everything else reminds me of Pip.

I can see it for sure defensively. Leonard makes game-breaking defensive plays just like Pippen did. Offensively I think what separates the two is Pippen's ball-handling and playmaking skills which I don't think Kawhi is going to get a chance to improve as long as Parker and Ginobili are around. I would like to see more of Leonard getting the rebound and pushing the ball on the break to create easy buckets for himself or his teammates similar to what he did last night on the break where he got an easy bucket for Danny Green. That's what Pippen used to do all the time for the Bulls. I noticed Kawhi has also developed a nice post game with the jumphook and turnaround shot when he gets mismatches on smaller defenders. He just needs to work on his footwork to have counters to beat the bigger defenders and double-teams. As long as he keeps working it'll all come in due time.

[313]

He's come along way, yet he can add so much more to his game. Love the kid tbh. The only reason Spurs have been able to compete at a high level late in this Spurs era.He didn't even have an off season to improve. He'll be great next year, barring injury.

[wildchild]

He's come along way, yet he can add so much more to his game. Love the kid tbh. The only reason Spurs have been able to compete at a high level late in this Spurs era.

:tu

Well as the title says -still valid in 2014 Playoffs- Leonard needs to be more engaged in the Spurs offense...

He struggled offensively in the 4thq and OT, missed bunnies, took bad shots, but he was great in the first three quarters.
Despite his poor offensive performance in the last minutes he didn't lose focus on D, his rebounding and strip-steal on Westbrook kept the Spurs alive.

He's a true and amazing two-way player, the Spurs really need involve him in offense early in the game, keep giving him the ball and get him aggressive, even if he makes mistakes like last game.

[wildchild]

He has greatly improved his moves every season and also has room to improve more...

Game 1
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxBej3VSLk8/U3rF25_K4sI/AAAAAAAAGyM/GHFYqkns4pM/s1600/k.gif

Game 4

https://31.media.tumblr.com/69379069ee3ca5fd127bc721f1cfb6cf/tumblr_n6h7aflE2l1ru2hx7o1_500.gif
https://24.media.tumblr.com/431d7928a5e354107f1e476503b2b9e0/tumblr_n6h7aflE2l1ru2hx7o2_500.gif
https://31.media.tumblr.com/142a4ca6fa0b18194aa321e04d945df4/tumblr_n6h7aflE2l1ru2hx7o3_500.gif

[look_at_g_shred]

Am I the only one who sees this. Don't get me wrong I love that Kawhi can be a spot up 3 point shooter when Tony or Manu drive and kicks, yet I believe he should drive the ball in more often. We all know homeboy can dunk. I think it would help us out against bigs (thunder, lakers, clippers). We could get their bigs into foul trouble early. Also when he gets in the paint, he rarley misses. Thoughts?
Man..seems like a lifetime ago.

[YGWHI]

the Spurs really need involve him in offense early in the game, keep giving him the ball and get him aggressive, even if he makes mistakes like last game

5th season and involving him on offense in the first quarter is still an issue.

Kawhi took less than 2 shots in the last two games.

[dabom]

Honestly, I feel that Pop is grooming him to be a Bowen type of player and save his energies for the defensive side of things.

:lmao

Fucking fail reddit user. :lmao

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Lakers :lol

[Cry Havoc]

:lmao

Fucking fail reddit user. :lmao

I haven't talked to you in how long? And here you are, digging back several years through my profile.

That's pretty sad.

[dabom]

I haven't talked to you in how long? And here you are, digging back several years through my profile.

That's pretty sad.

Someone else bumped the thread, and I read your post. :lmao

[apalisoc_9]

:lmao

Fucking fail reddit user. :lmao

:lol