Article: Kawhi emerging as Spurs' newest star

[Samr.]

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Kawhi Leonard is soft-spoken, selfless, takes direction well and shuns the spotlight. All of which makes him a perfect fit for the low-key San Antonio Spurs.
Leonard enjoys the limelight as much as Spurs coach Gregg Popovich likes speaking to reporters - which is to say, not much - but his profile might be about to grow.

While the spotlight is clearly fixed on sweet-shooting Stephen Curry as San Antonio hosts Golden State Monday night to open the second round, Leonard's emergence has given the Spurs their own rising star.

''He's tremendous,'' Warriors point guard Jarrett Jack said. ''I think in a year or two he's definitely going to be one of the top small forwards in this league, somebody who is going to be a potential All-Star candidate.''

Not that Leonard is at all interested in extra attention.

''Right now I'm just here to win games,'' he said. ''It doesn't matter what the nation thinks about my game. I have goals set for myself. I want to reach my own goals; I'm not trying to reach anyone's expectations for myself.''

Leonard's development in his second season was critical to San Antonio finishing second in the West and capturing the franchise's 19th division title.

The Spurs traded George Hill to Indiana Pacers in 2011 so they could draft Leonard, and the San Diego State prospect has not disappointed.

With injuries limiting Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and, especially, Manu Ginobili this season, Leonard has arguably become 3A among the Spurs' Big 3.

''He's a heck of a basketball player,'' Golden State coach Mark Jackson said. ''They got a steal in the draft - a guy that knows how to play, that was ready to play and does everything the right way on the floor. His ability to defend, compete, understands his role, has the ability to be a guy that can wait for those guys to make plays but he also has the ability to be facilitate and be a playmaker. The future is extremely bright for him. You can see, at some point, the passing of the torch.''

Leonard averaged 11.9 points during the regular season while shooting 49 percent from the field.

The 6-foot-7 forward was third on the team in scoring, the first time anyone other than the Big 3 has cracked the top three since Ginobili's rookie season in 2003.

At least one of his baskets each game usually comes off a thunderous dunk after he launches from about the free-throw line.

''My teammates just trust me more, so I'm getting the ball a lot more,'' Leonard said. ''I'm creating shots for myself.

''Whenever you have teammates that have confidence in your game, it's always going to make your game better. That's what a team is; they are supposed to help you in your hard times and in your best times.''

Leonard has also become one of the Spurs' top defenders, regularly guarding opponents' primary scorers such as the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant.

''He's a big key in what we do,'' Parker said. ''He's improving and we need him to have a good series against (Golden State).''

The Spurs will need huge contributions from Leonard and all their perimeter players to offset the Warriors.

The Warriors are averaging 107.2 points per game in the postseason, including a league high in points this postseason with a 131-117 win over Denver in Game 2.
San Antonio held Los Angeles to 85.3 points in sweeping the first-round series, but the Lakers were without Bryant. The Spurs don't have that luxury against the Warriors.
Curry is averaging 24.5 points in the postseason and a league high 9.3 assists.

''He's like a (Kevin) Durant, a very good shooter,'' Parker said. ''He's a great scorer. Right now he's on a roll. He's playing great basketball so it's going to be a good challenge.''
While much attention will be paid defensively to Curry, the Spurs know they cannot focus exclusively on him.

Jack and Klay Thompson each shot 40 percent from 3-point range this season, with Thompson going 211 for 526.

''All three are the same,'' Ginobili said. ''Even Jarrett Jack that is not supposed to be one of the better shooters in the league, he shot 40 for the season. All three are very skilled shooting well and that's why they are in the second round.''

Golden State has not won in San Antonio since Feb. 14, 1997, Duncan's rookie season.

''I said it before, it's not our history,'' Jackson said. ''We haven't gotten it done for two years, but we are a team that's more than capable of going into somebody else's building and beating them. We feel confident and comfortable about that. That's not an easy task; but we're excited about going to San Antonio and facing them. We don't pay any attention to what history says. Because that body of work is not our body of work.''

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/kawhi-leonard-emerging-spurs-newest-223839660--nba.html

[Captivus]

"Curry is averaging 24.5 points in the postseason and a league high 9.3 assists." :(

[Poolboy5623]

I'm still on board with my prediction of kawhi, as finals mvp..

[SpursDynasty]

San Antonio held Los Angeles to 85.3 points in sweeping the first-round series, but the Lakers were without Bryant. The Spurs don't have that luxury against the Warriors.
Curry is averaging 24.5 points in the postseason and a league high 9.3 assists.

''He's like a (Kevin) Durant, a very good shooter,'' Parker said. ''He's a great scorer. Right now he's on a roll. He's playing great basketball so it's going to be a good challenge.''
While much attention will be paid defensively to Curry, the Spurs know they cannot focus exclusively on him.

Jack and Klay Thompson each shot 40 percent from 3-point range this season, with Thompson going 211 for 526.

''All three are the same,'' Ginobili said. ''Even Jarrett Jack that is not supposed to be one of the better shooters in the league, he shot 40 for the season. All three are very skilled shooting well and that's why they are in the second round.''

Golden State has not won in San Antonio since Feb. 14, 1997, Duncan's rookie season.

''I said it before, it's not our history,'' Jackson said. ''We haven't gotten it done for two years, but we are a team that's more than capable of going into somebody else's building and beating them. We feel confident and comfortable about that. That's not an easy task; but we're excited about going to San Antonio and facing them. We don't pay any attention to what history says. Because that body of work is not our body of work.''

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/kawhi-leonard-emerging-spurs-newest-223839660--nba.html


Funny, I didn't know Kobe joined the Warriors.

And no one here has ever heard of Stephen Curry prior to Mark Jackson making NBA news accusing Denver of intentionally trying to hurt Curry. Curry won't average more than 15 points per game in this series. He's a nobody.

[Dex]

At least one of his baskets each game usually comes off a thunderous dunk after he launches from about the free-throw line.

http://xion.org.pl/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wat-gigantic-duck.jpg

[racm]

http://wagesofwins.com/2013/04/30/playoff-kings-thru-430/

Steph Curry leads the league in playoff POP48. Guess who's number 2. :smokin

[Cklbmk]

http://wagesofwins.com/2013/04/30/playoff-kings-thru-430/

Steph Curry leads the league in playoff POP48. Guess who's number 2. :smokin


Did Playblair write that article?

DeJuan Blair- Superstar
Matt Bonner- Superstar
Cory Joseph- Superstar


LOL

Best one was Kendrick Perkins- Scrub

Or maybe Jerryd Bayless- Traitor

[TheyCallMePro]

I like Kawhi Leonard, but I'm sorry, he's nowhere close to a star. His offensive game is still extremely limited. Most of the time he's still sitting in the corner waiting for a wide open three. I know he's been driving some more this year, and shooting more jump shots, but he still doesn't have very good form on his shot and I don't think he feels entirely comfortable with the ball in his hands either. I know you all love him for his shyness but I see it as more of a confidence issue that affects his game. I think being on the Spurs is the best situation for him, because he can steadily improve in a lot of areas in his game, but I just don't like the fact that his lack of confidence sometimes affects his play, and that the Spurs encourage, rather than discourage it. I'd be happy to accept Leonard as another Bruce Bowen, but never really a 'star'. I just don't see that in him. Unless his shot and his confidence go up, he's just going to end up another good product of the Spurs system. I'm loving the praise he's getting now, but the truth is that right now, a lot of it is unwarranted.

[MR-Clutch]

I like Kawhi Leonard, but I'm sorry, he's nowhere close to a star. His offensive game is still extremely limited. Most of the time he's still sitting in the corner waiting for a wide open three. I know he's been driving some more this year, and shooting more jump shots, but he still doesn't have very good form on his shot and I don't think he feels entirely comfortable with the ball in his hands either. I know you all love him for his shyness but I see it as more of a confidence issue that affects his game. I think being on the Spurs is the best situation for him, because he can steadily improve in a lot of areas in his game, but I just don't like the fact that his lack of confidence sometimes affects his play, and that the Spurs encourage, rather than discourage it. I'd be happy to accept Leonard as another Bruce Bowen, but never really a 'star'. I just don't see that in him. Unless his shot and his confidence go up, he's just going to end up another good product of the Spurs system. I'm loving the praise he's getting now, but the truth is that right now, a lot of it is unwarranted.

He's 21. Are you really saying that he's doesn't have the chance to be a star because he has confidence issues? Comparing him to Bruce Bowen is a joke on the offensive side of the ball. Poor take tbh.

[TheyCallMePro]

He's 21. Are you really saying that he's doesn't have the chance to be a star because he has confidence issues? Comparing him to Bruce Bowen is a joke on the offensive side of the ball. Poor take tbh.

Bruce Bowen was a better shooter, a better defender, and a leader in the locker room. Right now you can't even compare the two. Some people seem to already believe that Kawhi is better than Bowen, which is a joke. Right now Leonard is a decent role player that is receiving praise primarily because of his athletic ability and his young age and potential. But he's years away in his development of becoming a star, and if he wasn't on the Spurs, and was on another team, you wouldn't see this kind of acclaim being given to him. That's all I'm saying.

[Brazil]

Bruce Bowen was a better shooter, a better defender, and a leader in the locker room. Right now you can't even compare the two. Some people seem to already believe that Kawhi is better than Bowen, which is a joke. Right now Leonard is a decent role player that is receiving praise primarily because of his athletic ability and his young age and potential. But he's years away in his development of becoming a star, and if he wasn't on the Spurs, and was on another team, you wouldn't see this kind of acclaim being given to him. That's all I'm saying.


Leonard is receiving praise because on top of being already one of the better defender at his position, he can create for the others and for himself on the O end, he can score the ball from almost everywhere, that's a pretty rare talent nowadays. His O potential is much higher than Bowen whose offensive contribution was merely to be a spot up shooter. On D now of course Leonard has a long way to go before being compared to Bowen.

:lol Bowen being a better shooter

[Brazil]

he's just going to end up another good product of the Spurs system.

that's dumb. Green is a product of the Spurs system, a guy like Bonner can be considered as a product of systems made for stretch 4s now guys like Leonard, Neal... can create havoc they are not product of a system.

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Bruce Bowen was a better shooter, a better defender, and a leader in the locker room. Right now you can't even compare the two. Some people seem to already believe that Kawhi is better than Bowen, which is a joke. Right now Leonard is a decent role player that is receiving praise primarily because of his athletic ability and his young age and potential. But he's years away in his development of becoming a star, and if he wasn't on the Spurs, and was on another team, you wouldn't see this kind of acclaim being given to him. That's all I'm saying.

yea you cant compare leonard and bruce tbh...leonard is light years ahead of bruce offensively while bruce was of course a better defender, but kawhi has potential to reach that level of D imo

check out kawhi's offensive skills, he's got the basline pull-up, rocker step, rocker step pull up jumper, turnaround jumper and ability to finish at the rim...and keep in mind this is against the best defenders out there in loul deng and taj gibson


http://youtu.be/SXemx5E9t20

[ajh18]

I like Kawhi Leonard, but I'm sorry, he's nowhere close to a star. His offensive game is still extremely limited. Most of the time he's still sitting in the corner waiting for a wide open three. I know he's been driving some more this year, and shooting more jump shots, but he still doesn't have very good form on his shot and I don't think he feels entirely comfortable with the ball in his hands either. I know you all love him for his shyness but I see it as more of a confidence issue that affects his game. I think being on the Spurs is the best situation for him, because he can steadily improve in a lot of areas in his game, but I just don't like the fact that his lack of confidence sometimes affects his play, and that the Spurs encourage, rather than discourage it. I'd be happy to accept Leonard as another Bruce Bowen, but never really a 'star'. I just don't see that in him. Unless his shot and his confidence go up, he's just going to end up another good product of the Spurs system. I'm loving the praise he's getting now, but the truth is that right now, a lot of it is unwarranted.

I might have agreed with this take 4 months ago, but since the All-Star break Kawhi has demonstrated skills that suggest star potential. He's becoming a better ballhandler. He's attacking the rim more aggressively. He has developed a nice pull-up mid-range jumper, and last series he showed off a decent post-game. It's this variety of skills that far surpasses what Bowen was capable of on the offensive end.

Kawhi's issue is consistency. Bowen was remarkably consistent, as are most of the current all-star and borderline all-star players today. But then again, he's 21. Let's see how Kawhi looks at 24. I'm guessing he's averaging in the mid/high-teens in points, seven or eight rebounds, and a couple steals a game.

[superjames1992]

I'm still on board with my prediction of kawhi, as finals mvp..
Then you must be drunk.

Leonard is not a star in any way, shape, or form. Will he be in the future? Maybe, but not now. Not even close.

If Kawhi is a star, then so is half the NBA, tbh. Even hero chucker JR Smith must be a star, then!

[Aztecfan03]

Funny, I didn't know Kobe joined the Warriors.

And no one here has ever heard of Stephen Curry prior to Mark Jackson making NBA news accusing Denver of intentionally trying to hurt Curry. Curry won't average more than 15 points per game in this series. He's a nobody.

What cave do you live in?

[Aztecfan03]

http://wagesofwins.com/2013/04/30/playoff-kings-thru-430/

Steph Curry leads the league in playoff POP48. Guess who's number 2. :smokin

false. according to the link, Chris anderson led the league in POP48 followed by Manu. POP per game was curry and leonard 1,2.

[Poolboy5623]

Then you must be drunk.

Leonard is not a star in any way, shape, or form. Will he be in the future? Maybe, but not now. Not even close.

If Kawhi is a star, then so is half the NBA, tbh. Even hero chucker JR Smith must be a star, then!

I don't drink..
The comment was made with the thought, that in order for the spurs to win it all, and beat the heat...somebody else has to step up, other than the big 3. To me, that guy is kawhi...he has the talent..he just has to go do it! Butterfly effect..remember, I don't think like the avg Joe.

[hyhy]

he cant dribble the ball..

[hooperflash]

he cant dribble the ball..

You're wrong. This whole season we've been raving Kawhi for improving his shooting , as well as his dribbling. His handles are far better than they were his rookie season (see Rudy Gay steal on Leonard). It's unfortunate that Kawhi doesn't get a chance to showcase his talents more (draw up some more plays for the man). Danny Green on the other hand :rolleyes

[Cklbmk]

he cant dribble the ball..

We'll we know this guy doesn't watch the games

[hyhy]

You're wrong. This whole season we've been raving Kawhi for improving his shooting , as well as his dribbling. His handles are far better than they were his rookie season (see Rudy Gay steal on Leonard). It's unfortunate that Kawhi doesn't get a chance to showcase his talents more (draw up some more plays for the man). Danny Green on the other hand :rolleyes

it has improved, but its still not good. His offense comes from the fast first-step, so the defender cant contest his dribbling. But asking him to crossover, and dribble penetrate and you will see like today, the ball just slips out or he loses control. He can only post or do the fast jab step. Thats why they cant really iso with him.

[hooperflash]

he cant dribble the ball..

Well we know this guy doesn't watch the games

:lol


it has improved, but its still not good. His offense comes from the fast first-step, so the defender cant contest his dribbling. But asking him to crossover, and dribble penetrate and you will see like today, the ball just slips out or he loses control. He can only post or do the fast jab step. Thats why they cant really iso with him.

You can't say it isn't good bro, sure he ain't streetballin' out there making dudes fall on their ass, but it's a solid 7/10 right now. I do agree that he could use some work on keeping his dribble alive (which is probably what you meant to say at first).

[Marcus Bryant]

He is not man.

[hyhy]

:lol



You can't say it isn't good bro, sure he ain't streetballin' out there making dudes fall on their ass, but it's a solid 7/10 right now. I do agree that he could use some work on keeping his dribble alive (which is probably what you meant to say at first).

The feel just isnt right. Its like when you look at tony/manu/cory dribble the ball, it sticks to them. When leonard does it, it seems to feel like its going to slip out any moment, thats why he always stops his dribble when that happens. when he can dribble well, he can become a star.

[AztecSpur]

he cant dribble the ball..

How can you say that when he can dribble Down court In transition with the best of them, and behind the back changing direction at full speed. Not many SF's can.

When he gets pressured in heavy traffic he needs work protecting the ball.

[racm]

He doesn't have LeBron level handles but the crux of it is that he can dribble, create for himself, and he's far more athletic than Bowen (even if he's not as good a defender).

[ace3g]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/945482_225911540866974_1095276841_n.png

[hyhy]

How can you say that when he can dribble Down court In transition with the best of them, and behind the back changing direction at full speed. Not many SF's can.

When he gets pressured in heavy traffic he needs work protecting the ball.

You guys dun feel like the ball will fly out of his hands whenever he flies at full speed with it? like compared to other players? and when he goes at full speed, the opponent cannot pressure him coz hes moving. And most of the time he flies at full speed when theres nobody around.

[boutons_deux]

yeah, KL dribbles on fast break SHOULDER HIGH, but he keeps it under control.

[hyhy]

he cant dribble the ball..

[BillMc]

On the plus side, I think Kawhi's got a real shot at making the second team All Defense squad. On the negative, Kawhi's 3 point shooting has really fallen off a cliff so far this year.