USA Today: Spurs' real MVP may not be Tim Duncan or Tony Parker

[MR-Clutch]

Kawhi Leonard doesn't cast an intimidating shadow.
The San Antonio Spurs small forward doesn't fly like the Miami Heat's LeBron James, grazing his chin on the rim en route to a hammer dunk on the break or controlling a game at will with his versatile skill set. He doesn't dominate like the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, burying shots from the farthest reaches or demanding the opposing defense's attention throughout. By season's end, he won't be on anyone's short list of MVP candidates.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/spurs/2014/03/26/kawhi-leonard-san-antonio-lebron-james-kevin-durant-tim-duncan-tony-parker/6929105/ (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/spurs/2014/03/26/kawhi-leonard-san-antonio-lebron-james-kevin-durant-tim-duncan-tony-parker/6929105/)

[lefty]

well obviously it's not TP

[Chinook]

Kawhi is really important. But that record thing is misleading as hell. They were missing a lot of players during Leonard's big absence. That led to them going 2-3 They went 6-3 when Green came back, and two of those losses were scheduled. And they took OKC deep into the fourth while holding Durant under 20 when Leonard missed that game getting his wisdom teeth removed.

The truth is each of the top seven players are essential. Kawhi plays a huge role, but so too do Green, Splitter. Diaw and especially the Big Three.

[MR-Clutch]

Kawhi’s per 36 min averages in march (13 games): 17.6 pts-- 7.9 rb-- 2.1 asst-- 2.1stl –1.7 blks --.52% fg--.89% ft--.46% 3pt all while averaging just 2.1 fouls per 36 minutes while guarding the best opposing perimeter player.

[Mugen]

Pop's been the Spurs MVP this season tbh.

[Kabals]

He is our only small forward (not counting Daye) which may make him our most important player.

If he is not there you have to play Green Manu or Belinelli instead which hurts a lot on defense.


while guarding the best opposing perimeter player.

Honestly, he is not that good on perimeter defense, not against fast player at least, Green is better at guarding quick guard.

[TheyCallMePro]

15 games ago Leonard came back from injury.

We've won our last 15 games.

Coincidence?

1st year Leonard is a Spur we go to the Conference Finals (year before out in first round)

2nd year Leonard is a Spur we go to the NBA Finals.

Coincidence?

[Chinook]

Yes. At least in the sense that it's not the lone determining factor.

[gilmor]

well obviously it's not TP

Certainly won't be Manu either...

[look_at_g_shred]

Kawhi’s per 36 min averages in march (13 games): 17.6 pts-- 7.9 rb-- 2.1 asst-- 2.1stl –1.7 blks --.52% fg--.89% ft--.46% 3pt all while averaging just 2.1 fouls per 36 minutes while guarding the best opposing perimeter player.
This is just absolutely insane.

[DPG21920]

Not related, but how amazing is it that the Spurs only have one stretch of games (MIA/HOU/CHI) where they have lost more than one in a row. Outside of that 3 game stretch above, the Spurs have not lost two games in a row the entire rest of the season.

[Skull-1]

15 games ago Leonard came back from injury.

We've won our last 15 games.

Coincidence?

1st year Leonard is a Spur we go to the Conference Finals (year before out in first round)

2nd year Leonard is a Spur we go to the NBA Finals.

Coincidence?


No coincidence. He is what we have needed since Bruce left.

[poeticism707]

well obviously it's not TP

This and more this.

Anyone who has watched TP play stupid hero ball, while he has some of the deadliest 3 point shooters around him wide open, per par.

Tim Duncan is the MVP of the Spurs, as long he plays.

Nice job, nonetheless, Kawi.

[oski1000]

The team is the MVP of the spurs....:flag:

[superjames1992]

The bottom line is that without either Enrique, Timmy, Manu, or Kawhi we aren't winning a title. There's no need to have a pissing match over who is the most important because they're all important and vital.

[TrueSpursFan]

He roams the hardwood like one of those programmed players in a basketball video game, always in the right spot at the right time and seemingly never out of position. He's the computer mode at expert level...

[dallasmaverickslose]

MVP is Manu Ginobili

[hater]

MVP is Manu Ginobili

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao


good one

[siraulo23]

Kawhi is really important. But that record thing is misleading as hell. They were missing a lot of players during Leonard's big absence. That led to them going 2-3 They went 6-3 when Green came back, and two of those losses were scheduled. And they took OKC deep into the fourth while holding Durant under 20 when Leonard missed that game getting his wisdom teeth removed.

The truth is each of the top seven players are essential. Kawhi plays a huge role, but so too do Green, Splitter. Diaw and especially the Big Three.

Good take

Green + kawhi both missed games at the same time, there goes spurs perimeter d

but kawhi is damn important on d, he's like a defensive anchor out there, similar to how kg was with the celtics, always guiding team mates where to be and who to pick up in transition

[barakz21]

I may have been out of the loop for a bit, so I guess I'm a bit behind..... But why is Tony called Enrique?

[200 miles]

I may have been out of the loop for a bit, so I guess I'm a bit behind..... But why is Tony called Enrique?

Heroballer Tony Parker is apparently the subject of Enrique Iglesias's song entitled "Hero".

[barakz21]

Heroballer Tony Parker is apparently the subject of Enrique Iglesias's song entitled "Hero".

Lol thanks for enlighting me on that one, bud! :toast

[Snaq O'Meal]

MVP is Manu Ginobili

Yeah, but for which team?

[21209]

Every Spurs fan knows Kawhi is an important element to the team. The assistant coaches on the other hand...

[TheCerebral1]

Kawhi does a little of everything. But its games like in Denver; where its still self evident that this team runs through Tim Duncan. Kawhi is a Swiss Army Knife type of player that does everything that is asked of him. He also is one of the perimter defenders in the league.

[wildchild]

Green + kawhi both missed games at the same time

Green + Kawhi= only 6 games

Green missed 10 games 1/13 - 2/1
Leonard missed 15 games 1/22 - 2/21

[wildchild]

Every Spurs fan knows Kawhi is an important element to the team. The assistant coaches on the other hand...

Boylen still seems like "who's this guy?"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY710c98DOU

[team-work]

Does this team need an MVP?

[wildbill2u]

One of the things that distinguishes a MVP player is his ability to win the game when it's close. Into whose hands do you put the ball and the fate of the team? Who can control the game in all areas? In Miami, you know it will be Lebron. Golden State has Steph Curry. Clippers have Paul. Lakers used to have Kobe. And so on.

On this team it depends on the situation rather than one player. If we are ahead and you want the player who is most reliable in foul shots, the coaches have decided its Manu. If we need a score, it's usually who has the hot hand, or who creates the best mismatch, rather than any one player--but more often than not, this year Parker has gotten the call.

You can't say that defense isn't important, but I don't remember anyone ever calling Bowen our MVP.

[dallasmaverickslose]

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao


good one

I said that specifically to ruffle the haters' feathers.

Obviously it worked :lol

[DAF86]

MVP is and has always been Duncan. We can lose Parker and among Manu, Mills, Bellineli, etc. plus the system (the other MVP, tbh) we can make up for his absence, same if we lose Manu. With Leonard is a little more complicated because we don't have another player of his characteristics but still his part on the team isn't as important as Duncan's.

If we lose Duncan, we're fucked. Who else can we play that is going to be the anchor of the defense, block shots, rebound, be a post up option and a mid-range threat all in one?

[Skull-1]

Heat Finals MVP is Manu Ginobili

Fify.

[Skull-1]

Heroballer Tony Parker is apparently the subject of Enrique Iglesias's song entitled "Hero".

:lol

[Skull-1]

One of the things that distinguishes a MVP player is his ability to win the game when it's close. Into whose hands do you put the ball and the fate of the team? Who can control the game in all areas? In Miami, you know it will be Lebron. Golden State has Steph Curry. Clippers have Paul. Lakers used to have Kobe. And so on.

On this team it depends on the situation rather than one player. If we are ahead and you want the player who is most reliable in foul shots, the coaches have decided its Manu. If we need a score, it's usually who has the hot hand, or who creates the best mismatch, rather than any one player--but more often than not, this year Parker has gotten the call.

You can't say that defense isn't important, but I don't remember anyone ever calling Bowen our MVP.

Zero titles since Bowen retired. 'Nuff said.

[AFBlue]

The irony of the opening line ("doesn't cast a big shadow) against the hulk-like picture directly above it is unintentionally hilarious.

[dallasmaverickslose]

Fify.

I was waiting for ya

[Sean Cagney]

MVP is and has always been Duncan. We can lose Parker and among Manu, Mills, Bellineli, etc. plus the system (the other MVP, tbh) we can make up for his absence, same if we lose Manu. With Leonard is a little more complicated because we don't have another player of his characteristics but still his part on the team isn't as important as Duncan's.

If we lose Duncan, we're fucked. Who else can we play that is going to be the anchor of the defense, block shots, rebound, be a post up option and a mid-range threat all in one?

AND this is the beginning and the end of it. PERIOD.