My Theory about Kawhi Leonard

[Embedded]

I know there's been talk about him maybe regressing a little bit. And also about Coach Popovich not designing plays for him. My theory is that his knee tendinitis was severe enough for him to largely take the summer off and heal. It makes sense. Also, knowing how conservative the Spurs organization is, they are looking more at the long term and therefore didn't develop him over the summer and aren't looking to run plays for him to increase the load any. Now, if that was the case, give Kawhi Leonard credit for being patient beyond his years. But if you put the above clues together - along with his lack of shooting improvement, it seems logical to me that a decision was made to allow his knee tendonitis to heal as much as possible. My question is did they discuss how his lack of development might stunt his financial growth, and is there a plan to reward that.

[Uriel]

Not exactly a groundbreaking theory. This whole message board and my grandma knows that he took the entire summer off to heal his tendinitis. It's been reported by multiple news media outlets ever since the end of summer.

[HarlemHeat37]

I'd have to look it up to confirm, but Pop has been running more plays for him the past 2 games IIRC..

He has also been extremely aggressive in transition the past 2 games, tbh..

As I and others have been saying all year, Leonard's impact is noticeably more positive when he's on the floor without the Duncan/Splitter duo, tbh..


His defense looks worse because of Pop's demotion of Green, tbh..Leonard has always struggled to defend quick guards, and excels at defending traditional wings..Leonard has been guarding guards more often since Beli became a starter, which has killed his defense, tbh..

[HarlemHeat37]

It's also interesting that Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose commented that Pop isn't utilizing Leonard properly, which is maybe the first time I've ever heard the national media question any of Pop's strategical moves:lol..

[TJastal]

I'd have to look it up to confirm, but Pop has been running more plays for him the past 2 games IIRC..

He has also been extremely aggressive in transition the past 2 games, tbh..

As I and others have been saying all year, Leonard's impact is noticeably more positive when he's on the floor without the Duncan/Splitter duo, tbh..


His defense looks worse because of Pop's demotion of Green, tbh..Leonard has always struggled to defend quick guards, and excels at defending traditional wings..Leonard has been guarding guards more often since Beli became a starter, which has killed his defense, tbh..

I've noticed that too, and that's a good sign that Pop finally understands the offense can't just keep revolving around Duncan and Parker forever and ever.

[Harry Callahan]

If KL had zero activity over the summer to get things right and heal, there could have been a huge amount of rust to knock off the first two months of the season. The Spurs FO would be crazy to push their most talented young asset and get him messed up physically long term.

Let's hope Kawhi can be that guy we saw late in the playoffs again very soon.

[wildchild]

It's also interesting that Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose commented that Pop isn't utilizing Leonard properly, which is maybe the first time I've ever heard the national media question any of Pop's strategical moves:lol..


I still think it's a coaching problem. Many teams add assistant coaches who are specialists in developing young player, and they hire those guys as player development coaches. Wolves with Bobby Jackson, Thunder with Mike Terpstra...I say this with all due respect (really), who's our development coach? Sean Marks? :(

[Man In Black]

I miss the hardcore knowledgeable Spurs fans. Fact #1, there wasn't anything wrong with Kawhi's knee this summer. He just needed the rest and going to the US Select team would not have provided him ample time to rest.

Spurs have a Player Development Coach.
It's Chad Forcier.

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-chad-forcier-chip-engelland-development

[wildchild]

Spurs have a Player Development Coach.
It's Chad Forcier.

http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-chad-forcier-chip-engelland-development

Thanks Man In Black !. Good read, but my comment was about assistant coachs on the bench not behind the bench. IMO other NBA's head coaches have more and better coaching staff than Spurs. (like Thunder, Clippers, etc.)

[exstatic]

Thanks Man In Black !. Good read, but my comment was about assistant coachs on the bench not behind the bench. IMO other NBA's head coaches have more and better coaching staff than Spurs. (like Thunder, Clippers, etc.)

Our coaches are SO bad that teams are rushing to hire them for head positions.

[wildchild]

Our coaches are SO bad that teams are rushing to hire them for head positions.

C'mon dude...THIS season with Ime and Sean?

[wildchild]

Sorry ^


Our coaches are SO bad that teams are rushing to hire them for head positions.

Ime and Sean could be great coaches one day, like others guys learned from Pop. But right now, I can't see how both provide on-court coaching for younger players, maybe they don't show many leadership skills and competitive nature.

I know, it's a process of transition into the coaching job, but I'd have preferred veteran coaches for last years of Tim Era.

[hater]

unfortunately Kawhi is not a great passer. not yet at least. Sure, he can beat pretty much anyone on 1-1. But basketball is a team sport. Until he develops a decent passing game, he really won't be able to be a true go-to guy.

[james evans]

I know there's been talk about him maybe regressing a little bit. And also about Coach Popovich not designing plays for him. My theory is that his knee tendinitis was severe enough for him to largely take the summer off and heal. It makes sense. Also, knowing how conservative the Spurs organization is, they are looking more at the long term and therefore didn't develop him over the summer and aren't looking to run plays for him to increase the load any. Now, if that was the case, give Kawhi Leonard credit for being patient beyond his years. But if you put the above clues together - along with his lack of shooting improvement, it seems logical to me that a decision was made to allow his knee tendonitis to heal as much as possible. My question is did they discuss how his lack of development might stunt his financial growth, and is there a plan to reward that.
maybe that's the plan. maybe popovich is holding him back limiting him until it's time for him to get the big bucks and no team will want to sign him and we just resign him. haha

[wtgspurs]

unfortunately Kawhi is not a great passer. not yet at least. Sure, he can beat pretty much anyone on 1-1. But basketball is a team sport. Until he develops a decent passing game, he really won't be able to be a true go-to guy.
In the past 10-15 games i've noticed him dishing out some sweet passes.

[KL2]

unfortunately Kawhi is not a great passer. not yet at least. Sure, he can beat pretty much anyone on 1-1. But basketball is a team sport. Until he develops a decent passing game, he really won't be able to be a true go-to guy.


He's actually a good passer, he's had some really nice assists this year, always has been even in college.

[wildchild]

unfortunately Kawhi is not a great passer. not yet at least. Sure, he can beat pretty much anyone on 1-1. But basketball is a team sport. Until he develops a decent passing game, he really won't be able to be a true go-to guy.

Great like was Nash? Obviously not, but he's a really good passer right now. His court vision, passing, dribble penetration, ball handling are much improved, and the combination of his athleticism, court vision and high basketball IQ, is rare and valuable in a young wing player.

This season a guy of poundingtherock wrote a good analysis about the development of his passing ability.

"Kawhi has made a notable improvement in a key area of his offensive game that could make a major difference in the playoffs this year -- his passing...Kawhi has always been a confident defender, but this season he has brought this mindset over to the other end of the floor, as well. He is no longer the offensively one-dimensional sharpshooter that we have grown accustomed to over the past two seasons because he:

1. keeps his head up at all times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X58NJfrZUJQ&feature=player_embedded

2. finds the open man from his penetration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fr8OrHhKCw&feature=player_embedded

3. occasional even effectively runs the pick-and-roll:
http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3739149/kawhi_gif_psherm.gif
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2013/12/19/5222792/kawhi-leonards-offense

[DMC]

I'd have to look it up to confirm, but Pop has been running more plays for him the past 2 games IIRC..

He has also been extremely aggressive in transition the past 2 games, tbh..

As I and others have been saying all year, Leonard's impact is noticeably more positive when he's on the floor without the Duncan/Splitter duo, tbh..


His defense looks worse because of Pop's demotion of Green, tbh..Leonard has always struggled to defend quick guards, and excels at defending traditional wings..Leonard has been guarding guards more often since Beli became a starter, which has killed his defense, tbh..

Since Kawhi stated in an interview that he rarely gets plays run for him, Pop has been running more plays that way. It's not a coincidence I think.