Kawhi's progression this year

[SpursFan86]

I know some people might be disappointed with his apparent lack of production...but when you look past the raw numbers, you can tell he's having a much better season this year:

His 2012-2013 averages: 11.9 ppg (59.2 TS%), 6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.7 spg, .6 bpg, 16.4 USG%, and a 16.4 PER while playing 31.2 mpg

His averages this year: 12.2 ppg (60 TS%), 6.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.8 spg, 1.3 TO, 18 USG%, and a 18.6 PER playing 28.9 mpg

His averages in 2014: 13 ppg (67.8 TS%), 6.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.7 spg, 1.5 TO playing 29.4 mpg

Offensive Synergy stats: 1.06 ppp overall (31st in the league), 5th in isolation plays, 1st in post-ups, 11th on cuts, 25th in transition plays

Defensive Synergy stats: .77 ppp overall (42nd in the league), 45th in isolation plays, 21st on plays where he guards the PnR ballhandler, 8th in guarding hand-offs

Make no mistake: if Kawhi was getting 32-33 mpg, he'd be putting up the numbers some of you were hoping to see coming into this year. When you look at his raw numbers, it looks like he's basically having an identical season compared to last year. But when you throw in the fact he's putting up slightly better numbers while playing LESS minutes, you can tell he's improved noticeably. Also, his USG% has increased, so he does have a bigger role this year, contrary to some people thinking his role hasn't changed at all.

I'm really excited to see how he performs come playoffs when his minutes increase. I think this playoffs could be his time to really break out.

[PÒÓCH]

And speaking of progression.... his beard is progressing quite well.

[mookie2001]

Why can't he dribble yet

[superbigtime]

Kawhi is coming along really well. People who expect more have unreasonable expectations. He's young and will continue to get better and better. I'm not disappointed.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

I could be wrong, but it feels like he's handling the ball much more this year, especially around the top of the key. His first 2 years I don't think he got the ball at the top as much and mostly was a corner guy.

And his passing looks better this year.

[Old School 44]

Kawhi's doing great! Better decisions with the ball, less hesitant. More versitile...shoots threes from other spots on the floor besides the corners. Pull up midrange J off the dribble. Going stronger to the rack. He's seems to be getting more comfortable driving the ball and slamming in traffic. Not to mention his disruptive D against the best offensive options on the opposing teams. Very happy with his progress.

[Mikeanaro]

I don´t know but since his hand healed he is playing very solid.

[superjames1992]

And speaking of progression.... his beard is progressing quite well.
HGH.

[monkeypunk]

That little midrange jumper has been money since he's come back. If he can hit that and the 3 consistently, he is going to be huge for us in the playoffs.

Overall, he's progressing very well but he can still get better. Stronger drives and finishes combined with the kickout and maybe picking up a spin move, :hungry:

[SpursFan86]

He's already been finishing at a much better rate this year. Last year he shot 65.9% at the rim...this year, he's shooting 71% at the rim, which is great.

[Juggity]

1st in post-ups

:wow damn. Never would have guessed

[DarrinS]

For what he's being asked to do, he's exceeding expectations.

[cjw]

With the way he's been playing and how that guy in Indiana has fallen off since his hot start (40% shooting in 2014), it doesn't make us look that stupid for trading away Paul George :lol

Not to mention how silly Melo made him look last night.

[heyheymymy]

deff looks sharper this season, esp since his hand healed

[HI-FI]

He's definitely been more involved this year, especially since coming back.

hope he's a Spur for life, or as long as possible. Guy has added so much variety and life to the team since joining.

[wildchild]

This week Leonard said to Jabari Young how he wants to improve his game.


Leonard said Spurs assistant coaches Chip Engelland and Chad Forcier work with him as he continues to develop that fadeaway jumper. He works on his spacing, trying to create room from his defender.
According to NBA.com/Stats, Leonard is shooting 3 of 5 (60 percent) on turnaround fadeaways this season, 4 of 7 on fadeaway jumpers (57.1) and 5 of 6 (83.3) on turnaround jump shots.
“It’s getting more natural to me and I’m feeling a rhythm off it,” Leonard said. “Once I start getting more isolation, I’m going to get about two or three moves that I can really knock down; and for that move, it’s pretty natural for me to shoot.”


About his scoring/offensive game

“It’s just the way the offense is set up,” he said. “It’s not like he’s (Popovich) calling my play and I’m going out there just passing up the ball. It’s just, I got to see the opportunities that I do get and just see how the game plays. If it was my team, I wouldn’t just stop shooting.


Full article Here (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2014/03/17/jordan-pippen-bowen-and-kawhi/)

[Kidd K]

I don't know, he doesn't really seem all that much better to me. Slightly, but not by a lot. Then I look at the stats and well that pretty much backs it up. His statisical increases are very tiny except for FG% which is now at a very respectable level. The rest is about the same. . .so it's as if he's already pretty much peaked and all he can do is slightly improve by 5-10% now.

I don't think we're going to see any sharp increases in any area tbh. I don't believe he's capable of increasing his PPG much without dropping his shooting efficiency noticably either.

I'm happy with him and him being a 15th pick and all, but anyone who thinks he's going to be an all star is kinda fooling themselves. He's a starter, but not an all star and probably never will be unless he has a fluke first half once or twice in the future.

[SpursFan86]

I don't know, he doesn't really seem all that much better to me. Slightly, but not by a lot. Then I look at the stats and well that pretty much backs it up. His statisical increases are very tiny except for FG% which is now at a very respectable level. The rest is about the same. . .so it's as if he's already pretty much peaked and all he can do is slightly improve by 5-10% now.

I don't think we're going to see any sharp increases in any area tbh. I don't believe he's capable of increasing his PPG much without dropping his shooting efficiency noticably either.

I'm happy with him and him being a 15th pick and all, but anyone who thinks he's going to be an all star is kinda fooling themselves. He's a starter, but not an all star and probably never will be unless he has a fluke first half once or twice in the future.

The only reason you're not seeing "sharp increases" is because he's playing less. And once Duncan/Ginobili leave, he will have a much bigger role in the offense and will be playing more minutes. Sure, he might see a slight drop in efficiency, but there's no reason to believe he'll start being some inefficient chucker. He's increased his volume of scoring per 36 minutes every year, and guess what? His efficiency has increased as well.

I'm not saying he's going to be some 25+ ppg scoring monster...I don't think that's in his build. But the idea of him being able to drop 18/7/2/2 on efficient shooting is not crazy, and that would definitely make him an all-star caliber player given his elite defense.

I don't think there's any reason to say he's peaked. He's just not in a situation right now where he can easily break out and put up crazy numbers. For one, the Spurs are trying to make sure his knee is healthy going into playoffs, and two, he's the 4th option behind Parker/Duncan/Ginobili. But he won't always be a 4th option. If he can score 13-14 ppg super efficiently as a 4th option, why is it foolish to think he could score 18ish ppg as a legitimate 2nd option?

I mean, 60+ TS% is elite efficiency. Even if he scored 17-18 ppg on 57-58 TS%, that'd be a great level of scoring.

[Leetonidas]

Really annoying to see a 22 year old being played 29mpg

[freetiago]

Leonard has all the tools to be an all-star and the game to be an All-Star
just needs to work on his handling and increase his usage and he can already be one tbh...

[benefactor]

Really annoying to see a 22 year old being played 29mpg
Pop is not used to having stud players that are young. If you asked him Leonard's age he would probably say 32.

[illusioNtEk]

needs to improve ball handling and keep shooting

[Ditty]

He needs to get a new hair style, then I will look to him as a allstar.

[DarrinS]

He needs to get a new hair style, then I will look to him as a allstar.

What's wrong with his hair?

[Ditty]

What's wrong with his hair?

I'm kidding, but you don't see a lot of player wearing the corn rows these days :lol

[itzsoweezee]

He's been awesome since coming back from the injury. I'm really surprised at how much better of a passer he's become.

[spurraider21]

cornrow* tbh

[heyheymymy]

He needs to get a new hair style, then I will look to him as a allstar.

why, whats wrong with his hair? he's an nba player, not a dapper dan man.

corn rolls? wtf man

[superjames1992]

Really annoying to see a 22 year old being played 29mpg
A 29 year old with the knees of a 49 year old, tbh......

[exstatic]

Really annoying to see a 22 year old being played 29mpg

GS overplayed Iguodala and he's now out with the same thing Kawhi had: quad tendonitis. It's a condition that can become chronic. It did with Sean.

The most important ability is availability.

[Old School 44]

Really annoying to see a 22 year old being played 29mpg


Pop is not used to having stud players that are young. If you asked him Leonard's age he would probably say 32.

I always get the impression the Spurs hold back the development of younger players somewhat until they are near the end or through their rookie/first contract. This way if they want to keep the player, they can attempt to sign them to something reasonable based on numbers.

[Juggity]

He needs to get a new hair style, then I will look to him as a allstar.

http://i.imgur.com/z25mRsi.jpg

[siraulo23]

^ thats awesome lol

[Vic Petro]

he's an nba player, not a dapper dan man.

:toast

[Kidd K]

The only reason you're not seeing "sharp increases" is because he's playing less. And once Duncan/Ginobili leave, he will have a much bigger role in the offense and will be playing more minutes. Sure, he might see a slight drop in efficiency, but there's no reason to believe he'll start being some inefficient chucker. He's increased his volume of scoring per 36 minutes every year, and guess what? His efficiency has increased as well.

I'm not saying he's going to be some 25+ ppg scoring monster...I don't think that's in his build. But the idea of him being able to drop 18/7/2/2 on efficient shooting is not crazy, and that would definitely make him an all-star caliber player given his elite defense.

I don't think there's any reason to say he's peaked. He's just not in a situation right now where he can easily break out and put up crazy numbers. For one, the Spurs are trying to make sure his knee is healthy going into playoffs, and two, he's the 4th option behind Parker/Duncan/Ginobili. But he won't always be a 4th option. If he can score 13-14 ppg super efficiently as a 4th option, why is it foolish to think he could score 18ish ppg as a legitimate 2nd option?

I mean, 60+ TS% is elite efficiency. Even if he scored 17-18 ppg on 57-58 TS%, that'd be a great level of scoring.

That doesn't matter, he wasn't going to be getting 40 MPG or something. I also said I doubt we're ever going to see a sharp increase, not, "his stats didn't increase sharply this year".

Back to the minutes though. Compare his per 36 minutes stats to his career average, or even what he did his rookie year. Other than PPG, they pretty much didn't go up besides assists barely and PPG. Other than that, fouls and turnovers up. The minutes aren't holding his stats down, he isn't doing much more statistically in the minutes he does have anyway.

His scoring efficiency is good though as I said, but I just don't expect it to stay anywhere near where it is if his volume of shooting went up enough to score 18 a game. He would probably drop down to 54-55% if we're lucky.

[SpursFan86]

That doesn't matter, he wasn't going to be getting 40 MPG or something. I also said I doubt we're ever going to see a sharp increase, not, "his stats didn't increase sharply this year".

Back to the minutes though. Compare his per 36 minutes stats to his career average, or even what he did his rookie year. Other than PPG, they pretty much didn't go up besides assists barely and PPG. Other than that, fouls and turnovers up. The minutes aren't holding his stats down, he isn't doing much more statistically in the minutes he does have anyway.

His scoring efficiency is good though as I said, but I just don't expect it to stay anywhere near where it is if his volume of shooting went up enough to score 18 a game. He would probably drop down to 54-55% if we're lucky.

He's gone from scoring 11.9 points per 36, to 13.7 per 36, to 15.2 per 36...all while increasing his efficiency. And you're ignoring a main part of my post: Kawhi is a 4th option right now. You really don't think his responsibilities are going to increase noticeably when Duncan/Ginobili retire?

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. He's only 22 and in his 3rd year, and I think he's still far from being done improving as a player. I think his current role limits his ability to show his improvement, but there are signs that he's improved. I also think that in a few years he'll be able to become more of a volume scorer while still maintaining efficiency. Like I said, I'm not saying he'll be some scoring juggernaut who carries the offensive load night in and night out, but I do think he has the potential to be a solid 2nd option scorer on a contender.

[wildchild]

http://i.imgur.com/z25mRsi.jpg

:lol

KL=Ben Wallace's son

[Ditty]

http://i.imgur.com/z25mRsi.jpg

:lol that's awesome

[Sean Cagney]

I'm kidding, but you don't see a lot of player wearing the corn rows these days :lol

Everytime I see that I think of Iverson in his prime. You are right though they are mainly out of style nowadays pretty much but hey to each their own and he is doing him.

[Skull-1]

Much of what he doesn't isn't statistical. He is a defensive pest and is disruptive to players other than the one he guards. He is fast and with those long arms and hands just gets into everything... But you can't quantify that stuff...

[Sean Cagney]

I always get the impression the Spurs hold back the development of younger players somewhat until they are near the end or through their rookie/first contract. This way if they want to keep the player, they can attempt to sign them to something reasonable based on numbers.

Good strategy IMO since it has worked.......... I remember Manu though after his first contract was up getting good offers so Manu after 04-05 was not held back and he got a great offer from Denver if I am correct?

[therealtruth]

Pop is not used to having stud players that are young. If you asked him Leonard's age he would probably say 32.

I hope he can handle the extra minutes in the playoffs. Especially when Lebron will be playing 40+. Pop's strategy of lowering minutes simply won't work in the playoffs when other teams are playing their best players longer.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

I hope he can handle the extra minutes in the playoffs. Especially when Lebron will be playing 40+. Pop's strategy of lowering minutes simply won't work in the playoffs when other teams are playing their best players longer.
I think the whole purpose of him not getting as many minutes is so he can handle those minutes in the playoffs

[benefactor]

He's gone from scoring 11.9 points per 36, to 13.7 per 36, to 15.2 per 36...all while increasing his efficiency. And you're ignoring a main part of my post: Kawhi is a 4th option right now. You really don't think his responsibilities are going to increase noticeably when Duncan/Ginobili retire?

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. He's only 22 and in his 3rd year, and I think he's still far from being done improving as a player. I think his current role limits his ability to show his improvement, but there are signs that he's improved. I also think that in a few years he'll be able to become more of a volume scorer while still maintaining efficiency. Like I said, I'm not saying he'll be some scoring juggernaut who carries the offensive load night in and night out, but I do think he has the potential to be a solid 2nd option scorer on a contender.
Don't bother talking basketball with Kidd K. I wouldn't go as far as saying he's a dumbass, but...well...I guess he kinda is.

[boutons_deux]

http://i.imgur.com/z25mRsi.jpg

Ex-NBA Star Sentenced to Jail ... For Hit-n-Run

(http://www.tmz.com/2014/03/18/ben-wallace-arrested-jail-mug-shot-hit-and-run/)
http://ll-media.tmz.com/2014/03/18/0318-ben-wallace-mug-1.jpg

http://www.tmz.com/2014/03/18/ben-wallace-arrested-jail-mug-shot-hit-and-run/

[Mhak]

He needs to be more aggressive tbh. im impressed that he is making strides in creating some of his shots but only way to learn is be more aggressive and learn from your mistakes and whatever works for you on the court.

[Old School 44]

Good strategy IMO since it has worked.......... I remember Manu though after his first contract was up getting good offers so Manu after 04-05 was not held back and he got a great offer from Denver if I am correct?
I agree it is good strategy, I wonder though if the Spurs consciously do it. I do somewhat remember Manu's situation with Denver, but still they didn't offer him anything too crazy. I just worry after Kawhi's cheap rookie contract is up, that some GM out there might offer him a max deal, especially if the Spurs showcase him more and he ups his game in the playoffs.

[exstatic]

I agree it is good strategy, I wonder though if the Spurs consciously do it. I do somewhat remember Manu's situation with Denver, but still they didn't offer him anything too crazy. I just worry after Kawhi's cheap rookie contract is up, that some GM out there might offer him a max deal, especially if the Spurs showcase him more and he ups his game in the playoffs.

The Spurs let the market set the value. They never bid against themselves, but you can believe they'd match ANY offer in a heartbeat.

[Kidd K]

He's gone from scoring 11.9 points per 36, to 13.7 per 36, to 15.2 per 36...all while increasing his efficiency. And you're ignoring a main part of my post: Kawhi is a 4th option right now. You really don't think his responsibilities are going to increase noticeably when Duncan/Ginobili retire?

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. He's only 22 and in his 3rd year, and I think he's still far from being done improving as a player. I think his current role limits his ability to show his improvement, but there are signs that he's improved. I also think that in a few years he'll be able to become more of a volume scorer while still maintaining efficiency. Like I said, I'm not saying he'll be some scoring juggernaut who carries the offensive load night in and night out, but I do think he has the potential to be a solid 2nd option scorer on a contender.

I actually didn't ignore it at all. You're missing my point entirely which is what's leading you to believe I ignored your point.

I at no point said Kawhi isn't capable of averaging 18 PPG.

I said Kawhi will not shoot 60% TS% if he does average that much.

In fact this is my last paragraph:


His scoring efficiency is good though as I said, but I just don't expect it to stay anywhere near where it is if his volume of shooting went up enough to score 18 a game. He would probably drop down to 54-55% if we're lucky.

I'm saying the fact that he's a 4th option is precisely WHY his efficiency is so good right now. I don't know how you got, "Kawhi can't score 18 PPG" from that, but it's cool.

When speaking of is improvements, there's more than just scoring more. He technically wouldn't really be "improving" if he's just getting more shots. He'd just be getting more shots. Everything else didn't exactly go up either. That's what I'm getting at. I would like to see Kawhi improve his passing, ballhandling area, as well as rebounding, and maybe get a bit more in the steals/blocks department too since he's supposed to be a defensive force.

[SpursFan86]

I actually didn't ignore it at all. You're missing my point entirely which is what's leading you to believe I ignored your point.

I at no point said Kawhi isn't capable of averaging 18 PPG.

I said Kawhi will not shoot 60% TS% if he does average that much.

In fact this is my last paragraph:



I'm saying the fact that he's a 4th option is precisely WHY his efficiency is so good right now. I don't know how you got, "Kawhi can't score 18 PPG" from that, but it's cool.

When speaking of is improvements, there's more than just scoring more. He technically wouldn't really be "improving" if he's just getting more shots. He'd just be getting more shots. Everything else didn't exactly go up either. That's what I'm getting at. I would like to see Kawhi improve his passing, ballhandling area, as well as rebounding, and maybe get a bit more in the steals/blocks department too since he's supposed to be a defensive force.

Okay, but like I said, even if his efficiency dropped a little, it'd still be a great level of scoring. I believe that he'll keep improving to the point where he can maintain great efficiency while increasing volume.

Him gaining a bigger role will help him improve. It's hard for him to improve his passing and ballhandling when he's the 4th option and he's basically always playing alongside Parker and/or Ginobili.

As for his rebounding, he's already one of the best rebounding SFs in the league. He rebounds more per 36 than guys like LeBron, Durant, and Melo.

And c'mon, you're a Spurs fan...you should know better than anyone that steals/blocks aren't what make a great defender. Bowen averaged .8 spg and .4 bpg for his career, and only averaged over 1 spg five times in his entire career. Kawhi has averaged over 1 spg in all 3 seasons so far, and his well above Bowen's career averages in both categories. Kawhi is already a defensive force and there's really no debating it. Can he improve? Sure. But even as he is right now, he's probably a top 5 perimeter defender in the league. Him getting more steals/blocks is far down the list in terms of things he needs to be trying to improve.

Two things I'd like to see him improve are: his ballhandling/playmaking, and overall aggressiveness on offense. Both of those things will come with the territory of gaining a bigger role when Duncan/Ginobili leave (which is inevitably coming up in the next year or two). He's already an excellent finisher. He's one of the best mid-range shooters in the league. He's solid from 3 and can space the floor. He's an elite perimeter defender who can bother basically any guard/wing in the league. 22 year-olds who can do all these things aren't common. I'm not trying to hype him up as the next MJ, but we really shouldn't take for granted what we have here. We just have to hope we can keep him here.

[Old School 44]

The Spurs let the market set the value. They never bid against themselves, but you can believe they'd match ANY offer in a heartbeat.
I agree as they should. Still wonder though, if some GM goes all in after Kawhi in a couple years will the Spurs match. Personally, I would, assuming he continues on this growth track. I really do believe Kawhi has the capability to be a 18-20 pt scorer in this league, but I think his defense is what is going to earn him that next big contract. In a couple years, if not sooner, Kawhi will be looked at like a lock down corner in football.

[exstatic]

I agree as they should. Still wonder though, if some GM goes all in after Kawhi in a couple years will the Spurs match. Personally, I would, assuming he continues on this growth track. I really do believe Kawhi has the capability to be a 18-20 pt scorer in this league, but I think his defense is what is going to earn him that next big contract. In a couple years, if not sooner, Kawhi will be looked at like a lock down corner in football.

They'll match. It's not like their payroll is even huge now, let alone will it be in 2 years. The question they will have to ask is "will a FA with an equal or better skill set to Kawhi come here?". The answer is likely "no". They'll pay him.

[Old School 44]

^You're probably right, especially with Duncan and Manu probably off the books. I don't know how all the contract stuff works, but the Spurs will probably extend Kawhi before he becomes a free agent anyway.

[Kidd K]

Okay, but like I said, even if his efficiency dropped a little, it'd still be a great level of scoring. I believe that he'll keep improving to the point where he can maintain great efficiency while increasing volume.

Him gaining a bigger role will help him improve. It's hard for him to improve his passing and ballhandling when he's the 4th option and he's basically always playing alongside Parker and/or Ginobili.

As for his rebounding, he's already one of the best rebounding SFs in the league. He rebounds more per 36 than guys like LeBron, Durant, and Melo.

And c'mon, you're a Spurs fan...you should know better than anyone that steals/blocks aren't what make a great defender. Bowen averaged .8 spg and .4 bpg for his career, and only averaged over 1 spg five times in his entire career. Kawhi has averaged over 1 spg in all 3 seasons so far, and his well above Bowen's career averages in both categories. Kawhi is already a defensive force and there's really no debating it. Can he improve? Sure. But even as he is right now, he's probably a top 5 perimeter defender in the league. Him getting more steals/blocks is far down the list in terms of things he needs to be trying to improve.

Two things I'd like to see him improve are: his ballhandling/playmaking, and overall aggressiveness on offense. Both of those things will come with the territory of gaining a bigger role when Duncan/Ginobili leave (which is inevitably coming up in the next year or two). He's already an excellent finisher. He's one of the best mid-range shooters in the league. He's solid from 3 and can space the floor. He's an elite perimeter defender who can bother basically any guard/wing in the league. 22 year-olds who can do all these things aren't common. I'm not trying to hype him up as the next MJ, but we really shouldn't take for granted what we have here. We just have to hope we can keep him here.

Bowen wasn't an athlete with freakish arms though lol. He's pretty much one of our best athletes with a freakish wingspan and gigantic hands. I just expect a bit more in those departments is all. Leonard's stats in those areas don't make him better or even close to Bowen, I just think Leonard is capable of more. Bowen kinda wasn't.

But yeah I'd like to see him somehow retain his scoring efficiency and increase his scoring, but I just don't think he can. I mean Duran't career average is 60% TS%. I just don't think Leonard is that good when scoring large volumes. Your expectations are just too high man. PPG will go up, TS% is gonna go down. Those stats are usually somewhat linked. Higher volume means worse TS% usually. That's why Durant is so dangerous. His 30 points aren't like a Kobe 30. They're more like a pre-first retirement MJ 30.

I agree with the last bit though about keeping him around. I hope he don't expect like 15m a year or something, 'cause Spurs prolly won't pay that.

[therealtruth]

I think the whole purpose of him not getting as many minutes is so he can handle those minutes in the playoffs

I'm not so sure about that. That strategy has seemed to backfire. The Spurs have looked out of gas at times when they've tried to play heavy minutes in the playoffs. If Pop had played TD and TP more minutes in game 6 it probably doesn't come down to a last shot.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

I'm not so sure about that. That strategy has seemed to backfire. The Spurs have looked out of gas at times when they've tried to play heavy minutes in the playoffs. If Pop had played TD and TP more minutes in game 6 it probably doesn't come down to a last shot.
I don't think you can train older players to have better endurance by wearing them out more in the regular season. I know what you mean, but I don't think it's that simple for older guys.

[Sybok]

Kawhi is a defender first and foremost, and always will be. He's trying to develop an offensive game and part of that is being aggressive on offense. He still hesitates to attack the basket or even take an open shot, but some of that is due to the Spurs' mantra of finding the best shot, not just an open look. Kawhi knows where the Spurs shooting strengths lie and he gets the ball to them, but I don't know that Kawhi fully understands how important it is to the Spurs that he also be an offensive threat. It's not because no one else on the floor can score the ball, but because the guy he's guarding needs to work on the defensive end of the floor, and the opponent needs to know Leonard has to be covered. Imagine if Leonard could draw a double team, what that would do for the Spurs offense.

I do believe the coaching staff is bombarding him with demands that he be more aggressive, and you can see it in his game sometimes when it's obvious he not only has a green light to shoot, but an edict to do so. I'd like to see Parker go to him on consecutive trips to get him going instead of just ignoring him after he's scored a couple times in a row. I think allowing him to go one on one a few times could be a big deal for him and could be really beneficial to the Spurs in the playoffs when he has to provide offense. I think it's all mental right now for him. He's got the tools.

[Sybok]

The Spurs let the market set the value. They never bid against themselves, but you can believe they'd match ANY offer in a heartbeat.
No way the Spurs would match a max offer. Leonard won't get one, but Spurs can't afford to put that many eggs in one basket and historically haven't.

[Sybok]

Bowen wasn't an athlete with freakish arms though lol. He's pretty much one of our best athletes with a freakish wingspan and gigantic hands. I just expect a bit more in those departments is all. Leonard's stats in those areas don't make him better or even close to Bowen, I just think Leonard is capable of more. Bowen kinda wasn't.

But yeah I'd like to see him somehow retain his scoring efficiency and increase his scoring, but I just don't think he can. I mean Duran't career average is 60% TS%. I just don't think Leonard is that good when scoring large volumes. Your expectations are just too high man. PPG will go up, TS% is gonna go down. Those stats are usually somewhat linked. Higher volume means worse TS% usually. That's why Durant is so dangerous. His 30 points aren't like a Kobe 30. They're more like a pre-first retirement MJ 30.

I agree with the last bit though about keeping him around. I hope he don't expect like 15m a year or something, 'cause Spurs prolly won't pay that.

Everyone on the floor except the big 3 are capable of more but they don't have that role. You cannot just give Leonard free reign of the floor and still hope to have success in the playoffs. He's part of a slow system that works more like a marathon than a sprint. When he gets there, if he does, he'll be solid. There's no reason for the Spurs to give him more responsibility than he's getting now, at least not a lot more. They are successful and that's not a recipe with a wide margin of error.