Leonard = Best Perimeter Defender EVER

[DMX7]

I have watched a lot of b-ball in my day. I have never seen someone this good. He just embarrasses NBA guys on a regular basis.

[MI21]

In terms of blocks/steals ON THE BALL, he might be. I can't recall someone just plain ripping the ball directly from players like he does.

Overall though, bit premature.

[DMX7]

In terms of blocks/steals ON THE BALL, he might be. I can't recall someone just plain ripping the ball directly from players like he does.


"On the ball" defense is what perimeter defense mostly is, no? He plays the lanes too.

[BillMc]

Jordan, Pippen and Gary Payton were all nightmares. But Kahwi is definitely special.

[MI21]

"On the ball" defense is what perimeter defense mostly is, no? He plays the lanes too.

Of course, but blocks and steals aren't the entirety of on ball defense.

[Cry Havoc]

Pippen and Jordan were absolutely on his level, if not better.

But Kawhi has the potential to be, and I don't say this lightly, the best defensive wing in NBA history.

[BillMc]

It's amazing in 3 and half years, he's already passed Bruce. But he has....

[Malik Hairston]

Tough to compare across eras, especially hideous, grind-out 90s ball, where the Bulls' perimeter competition was John Starks(not sure he would even make the rotation of a contender), Reggie Miller(not a great creator), Jeff Hornacek, etc:lmao..

[FkLA]

He's the best I've seen but I was too young to see guys like Pip during their prime. I do have a hard time imagining someone being as good as he is at taking the ball from players though, he's a straight up bully in that regard. Alot of the guys he's gotten are elite ballhandlers as well (Paul, Wade, Ellis, etc).

http://s3.amazonaws.com/br-cdn/temp_images/2014/06/13/0bbd78012076a1eee2107e673af6265a.gif?1402689211


http://i.giphy.com/5xaOcLyRI8kezdBh8cg.gif

[ironman2886]

And he's only 23.

[MI21]

Everyone has bad games obviously, but for example just today so far, he has been very, very average on ball (minus the steals/blocks)

[Splits]

Everyone has bad games obviously, but for example just today so far, he has been very, very average on ball (minus the steals/blocks)

Team D was also very poor in the 2nd Q.

Nice fucking jinx thread.

[KL2]

Best defender I've ever seen, complete defensive player.

[FkLA]

Everyone has bad games obviously, but for example just today so far, he has been very, very average on ball (minus the steals/blocks)

Not really.

[ddjeffries]

Team D was also very poor in the 2nd Q.

Nice fucking jinx thread.

Quick start another thread to reverse jinx.

[doobs]

No. Not yet anyway.

Pippen. Artest. Cooper. Moncrief. Bowen. Jordan. Payton. Dumars.

Kawhi is in their league. That's impressive.

[Fireball]

But he fouled Ellis ... you realize that? does not take away from the argument, but still ...

[hater]

Ellis run ing a train on my man. Hopefully he can turn it around

[MI21]

Not really.

Are you watching the game?

[Splits]

Are you watching the game?

He doesn't watch games, he watches box scores.

[hater]

He doesn't watch games, he watches box scores.

:lmao the kid doesn't even have cable or internet imo :lol posts from his step dads Motorola tbh

[Clipper Nation]

He doesn't watch games, he watches box scores.

And you watch Tyrone fuck your girl. #Splitcuck

[hater]

Monta taking a shit on kawhi :pctoss

Come on matrix

[TheGreatYacht]

Monta Ellis with 3:50 left in the 3rd quarter:
26pts, 3ast, 11/18, +8

Monta Ellis' last game vs Phoenix:
11pts, 2ast, 4/22, -6

[hater]

Monta broke the best perimeter defender in the ever :lol

[daslicer]

He couldn't stay in front of Monta once they set screens and picks.

[loveforthegame]

Leonards had some hits and misses against Ellis. Not sure why Pop hasn't given him a breather and tried Green for stretches. It's not like Pop can use anyone else.

[hater]

Green is better on Ellis imo. Stop fucking around pop

[Malik Hairston]

Doesn't matter if Green guards him, the best D on Ellis is forcing him to take jump shots..he's making them tonight, you tip your hat, tbh..

On his drives, Duncan is way too slow, just like last year, the perimeter D can only do so much..

[TheGreatYacht]

Green is better on Ellis imo. Stop fucking around pop
That's what changed the series last year, tbqh

[Budkin]

Nice jinx thread.

[cjw]

Leonards had some hits and misses against Ellis. Not sure why Pop hasn't given him a breather and tried Green for stretches. It's not like Pop can use anyone else.

CoJo instead of Parker/Mills. Offense is going to suck anyway so at least use the best defender of the three.

[AaronY]

Best perimeter defender of all time cant stop Monta Ellis

[loveforthegame]

28 points on 21 shot attempts really that impressive?

[TheGreatYacht]

Nice jinx thread.
Kawhi got waxed in the playoffs as well

[daslicer]

28 points on 21 shot attempts really that impressive?

He's gotten it on above 50 percent shooting so it still hurts.

[Clipper Nation]

Kawhi got waxed in the playoffs as well
http://i.imgur.com/OBJBF6T.jpg

[TheGreatYacht]

Ellis going for 40 lol

[KL2]

Putting all the blame on Kawhi lmfao, there were missed rotations all night by his teammates.

Leonard is really carrying this defense tbh.

[TheGreatYacht]

Monta Ellis vs Kawhi Leonard:
38pts, 5ast, 16/27

Monta Ellis vs PHX:
11pts, 2ast, 4/22

[TXstbobcat]

4 steals for Leonard tonight.

[TheGreatYacht]

4 steals for Leonard tonight.
Iverson-esque

[loveforthegame]

Also had a missed ft. This loss really is all on Leonard. Amazing how he just drags this team down.

[RD2191]

11:44
Tony Parker makes 8-foot two point shot
48-43



11:26

48-43
Rajon Rondo bad pass (Tiago Splitter steals)


11:22
Tony Parker offensive foul (Rajon Rondo draws the foul)
48-43



11:22
Tony Parker turnover
48-43



10:56

48-43
Dirk Nowitzki misses 20-foot jumper


10:56
Tim Duncan defensive rebound
48-43



10:44

48-43
Chandler Parsons personal foul (Tony Parker draws the foul)


10:33
Tony Parker out of bounds lost ball turnover
48-43



10:30
Tiago Splitter personal block (Monta Ellis draws the foul)
48-43



10:25

48-45
Monta Ellis makes 16-foot jumper (Tyson Chandler assists)


10:11
Tony Parker misses 18-foot jumper
48-45



10:11

48-45
Chandler Parsons defensive rebound


10:04

48-47
Monta Ellis makes 9-foot two point shot


9:45
Tiago Splitter 3 second turnover
48-47



9:37

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki makes 15-foot jumper (Rajon Rondo assists)


9:18
Tim Duncan misses 5-foot jumper
48-49



9:18

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki defensive rebound


9:15

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki bad pass (Tiago Splitter steals)


9:12
Tim Duncan misses 8-foot jumper
48-49



9:11

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki defensive rebound


9:07

48-49
Rajon Rondo misses 17-foot jumper


9:04
Tim Duncan defensive rebound
48-49



8:59

48-49
Rajon Rondo personal foul (Tiago Splitter draws the foul)


8:53
Tony Parker bad pass
48-49



8:45

48-51
Tyson Chandler makes two point shot (Rajon Rondo assists)


8:33

48-51
Rajon Rondo shooting foul (Tony Parker draws the foul)


8:33
Tony Parker misses free throw 1 of 2
48-51



8:33
Spurs offensive team rebound
48-51



8:33
Tony Parker makes free throw 2 of 2
49-51



8:25

49-51
Chandler Parsons out of bounds lost ball turnover


8:25
Patty Mills enters the game for Tony Parker
49-51



8:11
Tiago Splitter out of bounds lost ball turnover
49-51



7:58

49-51
Rajon Rondo lost ball turnover (Kawhi Leonard steals)


7:43
Kawhi Leonard makes 18-foot jumper
51-51



7:22

51-53
Dirk Nowitzki makes 17-foot jumper (Tyson Chandler assists)


7:09
Patty Mills misses 24-foot three point jumper
51-53



7:09

51-53
Tyson Chandler defensive rebound


7:03

51-53
Monta Ellis misses driving layup


7:01
Tiago Splitter defensive rebound
51-53



6:54
Danny Green makes three point jumper (Kawhi Leonard assists)
54-53



6:54
Mavericks Full timeout


6:54

54-53
Monta Ellis technical foul(1st technical foul)


6:54

54-53
Devin Harris enters the game for Rajon Rondo


6:54
Tony Parker enters the game for Tiago Splitter
54-53



6:54
Boris Diaw enters the game for Patty Mills
54-53



6:54
Danny Green misses technical free throw
54-53



6:54

54-53
Mavericks offensive team rebound


6:43
Boris Diaw personal foul (Monta Ellis draws the foul)
54-53



6:35

54-55
Monta Ellis makes driving layup


6:09
Boris Diaw misses 24-foot three point jumper
54-55



6:07

54-55
Chandler Parsons defensive rebound


5:58

54-57
Dirk Nowitzki makes 9-foot two point shot (Devin Harris assists)


5:41
Boris Diaw makes 20-foot two point shot
56-57



5:20

56-59
Dirk Nowitzki makes 20-foot jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


5:11

56-59
Monta Ellis personal foul (Kawhi Leonard draws the foul)


5:11

56-59
Al-Farouq Aminu enters the game for Dirk Nowitzki


5:03
Kawhi Leonard makes 11-foot two point shot
58-59



4:54

58-59
Monta Ellis lost ball turnover (Kawhi Leonard steals)


4:50
Devin Harris blocks Tony Parker's layup
58-59



4:50
Spurs offensive team rebound
58-59



4:43
Tim Duncan misses 10-foot jumper
58-59



4:43

58-59
Devin Harris defensive rebound


4:31
Tony Parker personal block (Chandler Parsons draws the foul)
58-59



4:16

58-62
Monta Ellis makes 28-foot three pointer


4:01
Kawhi Leonard misses 16-foot jumper
58-62



4:01

58-62
Al-Farouq Aminu defensive rebound


3:50

58-64
Monta Ellis makes driving layup


3:49
Spurs Full timeout


3:49

58-64
Charlie Villanueva enters the game for Chandler Parsons


3:33
Tim Duncan makes layup (Kawhi Leonard assists)
60-64



3:15

60-67
Charlie Villanueva makes 25-foot three point jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


3:03
Boris Diaw misses 5-foot
60-67



3:02

60-67
Charlie Villanueva defensive rebound


2:56

60-70
Devin Harris makes 25-foot three point jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


2:35
Tony Parker misses three point jumper
60-70



2:34

60-70
Al-Farouq Aminu defensive rebound


2:31
Kawhi Leonard shooting foul (Devin Harris draws the foul)
60-70



2:31

60-71
Devin Harris makes free throw 1 of 2


2:31

60-71
Amar'e Stoudemire enters the game for Tyson Chandler


2:31
Jeff Ayres enters the game for Tim Duncan
60-71



2:31
Marco Belinelli enters the game for Kawhi Leonard
60-71



2:31

60-72
Devin Harris makes free throw 2 of 2


2:09
Tony Parker lost ball turnover (Charlie Villanueva steals)

[K...]

11:44
Tony Parker makes 8-foot two point shot
48-43



11:26

48-43
Rajon Rondo bad pass (Tiago Splitter steals)


11:22
Tony Parker offensive foul (Rajon Rondo draws the foul)
48-43



11:22
Tony Parker turnover
48-43



10:56

48-43
Dirk Nowitzki misses 20-foot jumper


10:56
Tim Duncan defensive rebound
48-43



10:44

48-43
Chandler Parsons personal foul (Tony Parker draws the foul)


10:33
Tony Parker out of bounds lost ball turnover
48-43



10:30
Tiago Splitter personal block (Monta Ellis draws the foul)
48-43



10:25

48-45
Monta Ellis makes 16-foot jumper (Tyson Chandler assists)


10:11
Tony Parker misses 18-foot jumper
48-45



10:11

48-45
Chandler Parsons defensive rebound


10:04

48-47
Monta Ellis makes 9-foot two point shot


9:45
Tiago Splitter 3 second turnover
48-47



9:37

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki makes 15-foot jumper (Rajon Rondo assists)


9:18
Tim Duncan misses 5-foot jumper
48-49



9:18

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki defensive rebound


9:15

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki bad pass (Tiago Splitter steals)


9:12
Tim Duncan misses 8-foot jumper
48-49



9:11

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki defensive rebound


9:07

48-49
Rajon Rondo misses 17-foot jumper


9:04
Tim Duncan defensive rebound
48-49



8:59

48-49
Rajon Rondo personal foul (Tiago Splitter draws the foul)


8:53
Tony Parker bad pass
48-49



8:45

48-51
Tyson Chandler makes two point shot (Rajon Rondo assists)


8:33

48-51
Rajon Rondo shooting foul (Tony Parker draws the foul)


8:33
Tony Parker misses free throw 1 of 2
48-51



8:33
Spurs offensive team rebound
48-51



8:33
Tony Parker makes free throw 2 of 2
49-51



8:25

49-51
Chandler Parsons out of bounds lost ball turnover


8:25
Patty Mills enters the game for Tony Parker
49-51



8:11
Tiago Splitter out of bounds lost ball turnover
49-51



7:58

49-51
Rajon Rondo lost ball turnover (Kawhi Leonard steals)


7:43
Kawhi Leonard makes 18-foot jumper
51-51



7:22

51-53
Dirk Nowitzki makes 17-foot jumper (Tyson Chandler assists)


7:09
Patty Mills misses 24-foot three point jumper
51-53



7:09

51-53
Tyson Chandler defensive rebound


7:03

51-53
Monta Ellis misses driving layup


7:01
Tiago Splitter defensive rebound
51-53



6:54
Danny Green makes three point jumper (Kawhi Leonard assists)
54-53



6:54
Mavericks Full timeout


6:54

54-53
Monta Ellis technical foul(1st technical foul)


6:54

54-53
Devin Harris enters the game for Rajon Rondo


6:54
Tony Parker enters the game for Tiago Splitter
54-53



6:54
Boris Diaw enters the game for Patty Mills
54-53



6:54
Danny Green misses technical free throw
54-53



6:54

54-53
Mavericks offensive team rebound


6:43
Boris Diaw personal foul (Monta Ellis draws the foul)
54-53



6:35

54-55
Monta Ellis makes driving layup


6:09
Boris Diaw misses 24-foot three point jumper
54-55



6:07

54-55
Chandler Parsons defensive rebound


5:58

54-57
Dirk Nowitzki makes 9-foot two point shot (Devin Harris assists)


5:41
Boris Diaw makes 20-foot two point shot
56-57



5:20

56-59
Dirk Nowitzki makes 20-foot jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


5:11

56-59
Monta Ellis personal foul (Kawhi Leonard draws the foul)


5:11

56-59
Al-Farouq Aminu enters the game for Dirk Nowitzki


5:03
Kawhi Leonard makes 11-foot two point shot
58-59



4:54

58-59
Monta Ellis lost ball turnover (Kawhi Leonard steals)


4:50
Devin Harris blocks Tony Parker's layup
58-59



4:50
Spurs offensive team rebound
58-59



4:43
Tim Duncan misses 10-foot jumper
58-59



4:43

58-59
Devin Harris defensive rebound


4:31
Tony Parker personal block (Chandler Parsons draws the foul)
58-59



4:16

58-62
Monta Ellis makes 28-foot three pointer


4:01
Kawhi Leonard misses 16-foot jumper
58-62



4:01

58-62
Al-Farouq Aminu defensive rebound


3:50

58-64
Monta Ellis makes driving layup


3:49
Spurs Full timeout


3:49

58-64
Charlie Villanueva enters the game for Chandler Parsons


3:33
Tim Duncan makes layup (Kawhi Leonard assists)
60-64



3:15

60-67
Charlie Villanueva makes 25-foot three point jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


3:03
Boris Diaw misses 5-foot
60-67



3:02

60-67
Charlie Villanueva defensive rebound


2:56

60-70
Devin Harris makes 25-foot three point jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


2:35
Tony Parker misses three point jumper
60-70



2:34

60-70
Al-Farouq Aminu defensive rebound


2:31
Kawhi Leonard shooting foul (Devin Harris draws the foul)
60-70



2:31

60-71
Devin Harris makes free throw 1 of 2


2:31

60-71
Amar'e Stoudemire enters the game for Tyson Chandler


2:31
Jeff Ayres enters the game for Tim Duncan
60-71



2:31
Marco Belinelli enters the game for Kawhi Leonard
60-71



2:31

60-72
Devin Harris makes free throw 2 of 2


2:09
Tony Parker lost ball turnover (Charlie Villanueva steals)



This is thread about Kawhi, are you implying that KAwhi was good on defense in the 3rdQ or bad?

[TXstbobcat]

And just like that every thread turns into Parker fans against Leonard fans.

[hitmanyr2k]

Nice jinx thread.

Why would a Spurs fan jinx his own player? :p:

[cd021]

Green is probably better at defending PGs. Leonard has been affective on Bledsoe and Paul but Green generally dominates Westbrook.

[TheGreatYacht]

Monta Ellis vs Kawhi Leonard:
38pts, 5ast, 16/27

Monta Ellis vs PHX:
11pts, 2ast, 4/22

[wildchild]

Monta Ellis vs Kawhi Leonard:
38pts, 5ast, 16/27

Monta Ellis vs PHX:
11pts, 2ast, 4/22

So what's your point? You really think Tucker or Bledsoe are better defenders than Kawhi? There is no one could possibly be so stupid as to believe it.

[RD2191]

11:44
Tony Parker makes 8-foot two point shot
48-43



11:26

48-43
Rajon Rondo bad pass (Tiago Splitter steals)


11:22
Tony Parker offensive foul (Rajon Rondo draws the foul)
48-43



11:22
Tony Parker turnover
48-43



10:56

48-43
Dirk Nowitzki misses 20-foot jumper


10:56
Tim Duncan defensive rebound
48-43



10:44

48-43
Chandler Parsons personal foul (Tony Parker draws the foul)


10:33
Tony Parker out of bounds lost ball turnover
48-43



10:30
Tiago Splitter personal block (Monta Ellis draws the foul)
48-43



10:25

48-45
Monta Ellis makes 16-foot jumper (Tyson Chandler assists)


10:11
Tony Parker misses 18-foot jumper
48-45



10:11

48-45
Chandler Parsons defensive rebound


10:04

48-47
Monta Ellis makes 9-foot two point shot


9:45
Tiago Splitter 3 second turnover
48-47



9:37

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki makes 15-foot jumper (Rajon Rondo assists)


9:18
Tim Duncan misses 5-foot jumper
48-49



9:18

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki defensive rebound


9:15

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki bad pass (Tiago Splitter steals)


9:12
Tim Duncan misses 8-foot jumper
48-49



9:11

48-49
Dirk Nowitzki defensive rebound


9:07

48-49
Rajon Rondo misses 17-foot jumper


9:04
Tim Duncan defensive rebound
48-49



8:59

48-49
Rajon Rondo personal foul (Tiago Splitter draws the foul)


8:53
Tony Parker bad pass
48-49



8:45

48-51
Tyson Chandler makes two point shot (Rajon Rondo assists)


8:33

48-51
Rajon Rondo shooting foul (Tony Parker draws the foul)


8:33
Tony Parker misses free throw 1 of 2
48-51



8:33
Spurs offensive team rebound
48-51



8:33
Tony Parker makes free throw 2 of 2
49-51



8:25

49-51
Chandler Parsons out of bounds lost ball turnover


8:25
Patty Mills enters the game for Tony Parker
49-51



8:11
Tiago Splitter out of bounds lost ball turnover
49-51



7:58

49-51
Rajon Rondo lost ball turnover (Kawhi Leonard steals)


7:43
Kawhi Leonard makes 18-foot jumper
51-51



7:22

51-53
Dirk Nowitzki makes 17-foot jumper (Tyson Chandler assists)


7:09
Patty Mills misses 24-foot three point jumper
51-53



7:09

51-53
Tyson Chandler defensive rebound


7:03

51-53
Monta Ellis misses driving layup


7:01
Tiago Splitter defensive rebound
51-53



6:54
Danny Green makes three point jumper (Kawhi Leonard assists)
54-53



6:54
Mavericks Full timeout


6:54

54-53
Monta Ellis technical foul(1st technical foul)


6:54

54-53
Devin Harris enters the game for Rajon Rondo


6:54
Tony Parker enters the game for Tiago Splitter
54-53



6:54
Boris Diaw enters the game for Patty Mills
54-53



6:54
Danny Green misses technical free throw
54-53



6:54

54-53
Mavericks offensive team rebound


6:43
Boris Diaw personal foul (Monta Ellis draws the foul)
54-53



6:35

54-55
Monta Ellis makes driving layup


6:09
Boris Diaw misses 24-foot three point jumper
54-55



6:07

54-55
Chandler Parsons defensive rebound


5:58

54-57
Dirk Nowitzki makes 9-foot two point shot (Devin Harris assists)


5:41
Boris Diaw makes 20-foot two point shot
56-57



5:20

56-59
Dirk Nowitzki makes 20-foot jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


5:11

56-59
Monta Ellis personal foul (Kawhi Leonard draws the foul)


5:11

56-59
Al-Farouq Aminu enters the game for Dirk Nowitzki


5:03
Kawhi Leonard makes 11-foot two point shot
58-59



4:54

58-59
Monta Ellis lost ball turnover (Kawhi Leonard steals)


4:50
Devin Harris blocks Tony Parker's layup
58-59



4:50
Spurs offensive team rebound
58-59



4:43
Tim Duncan misses 10-foot jumper
58-59



4:43

58-59
Devin Harris defensive rebound


4:31
Tony Parker personal block (Chandler Parsons draws the foul)
58-59



4:16

58-62
Monta Ellis makes 28-foot three pointer


4:01
Kawhi Leonard misses 16-foot jumper
58-62



4:01

58-62
Al-Farouq Aminu defensive rebound


3:50

58-64
Monta Ellis makes driving layup


3:49
Spurs Full timeout


3:49

58-64
Charlie Villanueva enters the game for Chandler Parsons


3:33
Tim Duncan makes layup (Kawhi Leonard assists)
60-64



3:15

60-67
Charlie Villanueva makes 25-foot three point jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


3:03
Boris Diaw misses 5-foot
60-67



3:02

60-67
Charlie Villanueva defensive rebound


2:56

60-70
Devin Harris makes 25-foot three point jumper (Monta Ellis assists)


2:35
Tony Parker misses three point jumper
60-70



2:34

60-70
Al-Farouq Aminu defensive rebound


2:31
Kawhi Leonard shooting foul (Devin Harris draws the foul)
60-70



2:31

60-71
Devin Harris makes free throw 1 of 2


2:31

60-71
Amar'e Stoudemire enters the game for Tyson Chandler


2:31
Jeff Ayres enters the game for Tim Duncan
60-71



2:31
Marco Belinelli enters the game for Kawhi Leonard
60-71



2:31

60-72
Devin Harris makes free throw 2 of 2


2:09
Tony Parker lost ball turnover (Charlie Villanueva steals)

[DMC]

Yay Monta Ellis will retire without a ring, but he'll have sporadic regular season success. That'll show the guy who won FMVP at age 22, in the 2nd of b2b Finals appearances, a thing or two.

[RD2191]

The Spurs just have bad luck, imo. It was a fuken given that Monta would go off tonight.

[313]

So what's your point? You really think Tucker or Bledsoe are better defenders than Kawhi? There is no one could possibly be so stupid as to believe it.
Tucker is a fantastic defender tbh

[wildchild]

Tucker is a fantastic defender tbh

He's a good defender, a bit underrated in the league. But I wouldn't say he's fantastic. (or elite like Kawhi and Danny).

[SASdynasty!]

It's amazing in 3 and half years, he's already passed Bruce. But he has....
To be fair, Bruce held Lebron to 22 PPG on 36% shooting. Lebron went for 28.2 PPG on 57% shooting last year against Kawhi.

[SASdynasty!]

The Spurs just have bad luck, imo. It was a fuken given that Monta would go off tonight.
Lol, don't blame Kawhi!

[SASdynasty!]

This is thread about Kawhi, are you implying that KAwhi was good on defense in the 3rdQ or bad?
He doesn't know how to post anything other than Parker hate.

[wildchild]

To be fair, Bruce held Lebron to 22 PPG on 36% shooting. Lebron went for 28.2 PPG on 57% shooting last year against Kawhi.
http://i.imgur.com/cufd9tql.jpg

[wildchild]

Don't blame Kawhi!

Agreed. There is no reason to blame Kawhi. He was the best Spur on the floor, main scorer and rebounder. 19 points 9 rebounds 4 stls 3 asts 1blk

[loveforthegame]

Leonard will get burned at times. It's very rare that he doesn't make up for it in other areas or in other games.

Some match ups are bad for him. Simple as that. Other than Green, it's not like we have any other options.

It's too bad we don't have point guards who can do their job so we're not having to drag our small forward or shooting guard over to guard their man.

[SpurPadre]

He's a baller no doubt but Bowen was better at contested shots (contested shots isn't just about blocks) and also did a better job of staying on his man, tbh.

[Malik Hairston]

Leonard will get burned at times. It's very rare that he doesn't make up for it in other areas or in other games.

Some match ups are bad for him. Simple as that. Other than Green, it's not like we have any other options.

It's too bad we don't have point guards who can do their job so we're not having to drag our small forward or shooting guard over to guard their man.

Ya, the 3rd perimeter defender is a concern, as usual..

The Warriors have 4 or 5 competent wing defenders, and even Curry isn't a liability anymore..the Grizzlies have 3 or 4, the Rockets have 3, etc..

It's generally not a concern against most teams, since you can hide the Parkers and Mills, but the drop off from Leonard/Green to the rest of the wing defenders is colossal..Parker/Belinelli are 2 of the worst in the NBA, Manu is too old and Mills is just too small in most matchups..

[SASdynasty!]

Agreed. There is no reason to blame Kawhi. He was the best Spur on the floor, main scorer and rebounder. 19 points 9 rebounds 4 stls 3 asts 1blk
I was talking about his defense.

[kobyz]

Fuck op, his infantility cost us the game, he had to be this arrogant and premature and jinx Kawhi...

[wildchild]

I was talking about his defense.

I was talking about his game tonight, his all-around game.

[SASdynasty!]

I was talking about his game tonight, his all-around game.
Yah he scored half as many points as the guy he was guarding. It's like when Parker scored 31 but Kyrie had 57. Parker didn't have a bad game overall, but his defense was terrible (and Kyrie was making everything).

[TheGreatYacht]

He's a baller no doubt but Bowen was better at contested shots (contested shots isn't just about blocks) and also did a better job of staying on his man, tbh.
This 1000x

[wildchild]

Yah he scored half as many points as the guy he was guarding. It's like when Parker scored 31 but Kyrie had 57. Parker didn't have a bad game overall, but his defense was terrible (and Kyrie was making everything).

But most of PG's score easily on Tony, we can't say the same about Kawhi.

It's incomprehensible to me that people -in this thread- doubt Kawhi as defender for this game, for only one game in the season.

[marinoman]

Holy jinx thread Batman!!!

[SASdynasty!]

But most of PG's score easily on Tony, we can't say the same about Kawhi.

It's incomprehensible to me that people -in this thread- doubt Kawhi as defender for this game, for only one game in the season.
I'm not doubting Kawhi's defense in general. It just wasn't anything special this game. He's one of the best defenders in the league on any given night.

[Tuddy]

Bowen better positional defender, why he was able to guard PGs

[dabom]

Kobe never went off on bruce. :tu

[jag]

What the hell has happened to this forum...

[romain.star]

wtf... the guy is just 23 years old. So far, he is not even the best Spurs perimeter defender ever

[Killakobe81]

Kobe never went off on bruce. :tu

LOL

[Killakobe81]

wtf... the guy is just 23 years old. So far, he is not even the best Spurs perimeter defender ever

he is and he does soem amazing things on that end but right now prime Bowen is probably your GOAT perimeter defender.

[r0drig0lac]

no

[Wildcat67]

1. Kawhi was not guarding Monta for every point he scored.
2. Kawhi can only play defense the way he is told. Started going under screens if Monta hits the shot he hits the shot. Then was told to go over and it's up to the help to contain Monta until Kawhi can recover, but the team defense failed at that.
3. When a guy is getting picked every play you can't judge his individual defense on those plays because those automatically become team defense plays.

[loveforthegame]

1. Kawhi was not guarding Monta for every point he scored.
2. Kawhi can only play defense the way he is told. Started going under screens if Monta hits the shot he hits the shot. Then was told to go over and it's up to the help to contain Monta until Kawhi can recover, but the team defense failed at that.
3. When a guy is getting picked every play you can't judge his individual defense on those plays because those automatically become team defense plays.

All of this. :tu

[romain.star]

he is and he does soem amazing things on that end but right now prime Bowen is probably your GOAT perimeter defender.

Amen to that

[look_at_g_shred]

ANYONE HAVE A STILL PIC OF KAWHI TAKING THE BALL FROM ELLIS?

[cantthinkofanything]

ANYONE HAVE A STILL PIC OF KAWHI TAKING THE BALL FROM ELLIS?

I'm looking but it's hard sorting through all the pics of Ellis scoring.

[loveforthegame]

ANYONE HAVE A STILL PIC OF KAWHI TAKING THE BALL FROM ELLIS?

Best I could find.

580529914899726336

[hitmanyr2k]

1. Kawhi was not guarding Monta for every point he scored.
2. Kawhi can only play defense the way he is told. Started going under screens if Monta hits the shot he hits the shot. Then was told to go over and it's up to the help to contain Monta until Kawhi can recover, but the team defense failed at that.
3. When a guy is getting picked every play you can't judge his individual defense on those plays because those automatically become team defense plays.

Exactly and San Antonio's interior defense isn't what it used to be. I also don't think it's fair to compare Bowen to Kawhi since Bowen had a younger and more spry Duncan covering his ass. Guards have no fear attacking the Spurs in the paint these days when they know Duncan is slow to rotate effectively. And after Duncan the Spurs really have no threat of a shot blocker whatsoever in the paint.

[K...]

I always hear people complain that Parker is an ineffective defender, but I think it's dumb because two way point guards aren't a thing in the nba. You got Chris Paul. Who else?

Making matters worse, we already have a defensive specialist at sg! Say goodbye 100pt games.

Maybe soon we'll have a different backcourt but for 2015 we roll with Parker.

[kobyz]

Kawhi strugle some against creativeness, finesse type players, that's why that russian guy Shaved also gave him the business...

[loveforthegame]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12556467/nba-kawhi-leonard-hand-spurs-success

Lots of national love for him lately.

[Galileo]

No one was better on perimeter D than Walt Frazier and Dennis Johnson.

[FkLA]

1. Kawhi was not guarding Monta for every point he scored.
2. Kawhi can only play defense the way he is told. Started going under screens if Monta hits the shot he hits the shot. Then was told to go over and it's up to the help to contain Monta until Kawhi can recover, but the team defense failed at that.
3. When a guy is getting picked every play you can't judge his individual defense on those plays because those automatically become team defense plays.

To quote the great robertodiaz...did you have Truth cereal this morning brah?


I always hear people complain that Parker is an ineffective defender, but I think it's dumb because two way point guards aren't a thing in the nba. You got Chris Paul. Who else?

Making matters worse, we already have a defensive specialist at sg! Say goodbye 100pt games.

Maybe soon we'll have a different backcourt but for 2015 we roll with Parker.

:lol Nobody criticizes Rique for not being an elite defender, its the fact that he is one of the worst in the league. It'd be nice if he was just average. Shit I'd even take slightly below average from him.

[Malik Hairston]

1. Bowen had one of the 5 greatest defensive bigs of the modern era anchoring the team's defense:lol..current Duncan is still a very good defender, but everybody knows he struggles to defend certain types of players nowadays(especially quick guards)

Also, Bowen got torched all the time(in a much inferior era of offensive basketball), every great defender does..

2. There are plenty of good/above average defensive PGs in the NBA, that's such a reach:lol..

[Raven]

i'm on board tbh.. none just strips the ball away from people like that.. of course you adjust to that, but that's like not going to the rim when there's too much rim protection.. i still think he needs danny green on the small fast guys, to be played at full potential, just one of them isn't enough to cover every part of the floor.

[FkLA]

I keep reading Danny is better at guarding the quick PGs. Am I the only one that thinks Danny has slower feet than Kawhi? IMO Danny gets matched up with guys like Westbrook/Curry/Irving bc Kawhi is manning the bigger guys like Durant/Thompson/LeBron...not necessarily bc Danny moves his feet better.

[K...]

1. Bowen had one of the 5 greatest defensive bigs of the modern era anchoring the team's defense:lol..current Duncan is still a very good defender, but everybody knows he struggles to defend certain types of players nowadays(especially quick guards)

Also, Bowen got torched all the time(in a much inferior era of offensive basketball), every great defender does..

2. There are plenty of good/above average defensive PGs in the NBA, that's such a reach:lol..

Yup so many that you listed a few. I'm joking I know they are there. But spurs aren't getting a new point guard anytime soon. So instead of unrealistic expectations of Tony Parker defense we'll need a team approach like has always been done.

There have been relatively few games where Parkers defense was the sole reason this team loss, but it's always the first to show up (unless Tony struggles offensively, then that's number one)

[K...]

I keep reading Danny is better at guarding the quick PGs. Am I the only one that thinks Danny has slower feet than Kawhi? IMO Danny gets matched up with guys like Westbrook/Curry/Irving bc Kawhi is manning the bigger guys like Durant/Thompson/LeBron...not necessarily bc Danny moves his feet better.

Yeah I think you are wrong. Danny is better at mirroring guys his size. He also defends the fast break well. He's molasses on offense, but on defense his combination of foot speed and placement.

For kawhi, he's got to bend lower to contest. You can't move side to side without standing straight. Too awkward. So what kawhi can do to sf is different than what he does to pg.

I'm not arguing that green or kawhi are overall better at defending pg and sg, but certain matchup favor green

[Raven]

I keep reading Danny is better at guarding the quick PGs. Am I the only one that thinks Danny has slower feet than Kawhi? IMO Danny gets matched up with guys like Westbrook/Curry/Irving bc Kawhi is manning the bigger guys like Durant/Thompson/LeBron...not necessarily bc Danny moves his feet better.
Transition Danny isn't a thing because he is slow tbh.. Green is flat out the best pg defender in the league, and frankly it's not close. If you ask me a reason, i really don't know, he just does it.

[hater]

wtf... the guy is just 23 years old. So far, he is not even the best Spurs perimeter defender ever

[TXstbobcat]

Bruce was a great defensive stopper and was an important role player on title winning Spurs teams. Leonard is developing into a future star and is the future face of the franchise.

[wildbill2u]

wtf... the guy is just 23 years old. So far, he is not even the best Spurs perimeter defender ever

You're right, Dude, but you didn't say who was our best perimeter player ever--and no one else has named him in this thread either.

How about a Spur who is the number 1 NBA career in steals per game (2.7)? Number 1 NBA career leader in Steals % (4.1) Defensive Player of the Year. Four time All Star spanning two decades. All NBA Defensive Team 7 years spanning 2 decades.

On top of all this, on a recent NBA-TV show, this Spurs player was named by all the veterans as one of the meanest toughest players they ever saw during their careers--and they meant it as a compliment.

Kwahi made the All-Defensive team once and is leading the league in steals this year with 2.1 per game and a steal % of 3.1. He's a fine young player and will probably improve some more and earn some more honors in his career.

But he has a way to go before matching up as a Spur all time defensive player when compared to ALVIN ROBERTSON

[romain.star]

You're right, Dude, but you didn't say who was our best perimeter player ever--and no one else has named him in this thread either.

How about a Spur who is the number 1 NBA career in steals per game (2.7)? Number 1 NBA career leader in Steals % (4.1) Defensive Player of the Year. Four time All Star spanning two decades. All NBA Defensive Team 7 years spanning 2 decades.

On top of all this, on a recent NBA-TV show, this Spurs player was named by all the veterans as one of the meanest toughest players they ever saw during their careers--and they meant it as a compliment.

Kwahi made the All-Defensive team once and is leading the league in steals this year with 2.1 per game and a steal % of 3.1. He's a fine young player and will probably improve some more and earn some more honors in his career.

But he has a way to go before matching up as a Spur all time defensive player when compared to ALVIN ROBERTSON

Robertson was an amazing and somehow highly underated defender (although steals are not that relevant when it comes to gauge defensive performances)

Anyway all things considered, Bowen remains in my opinion the best perimeter defender of the Spurs history

[Raven]

:lol steals

[therealtruth]

That steal on Monta looks like a foul but I like the aggression.

[therealtruth]

Transition Danny isn't a thing because he is slow tbh.. Green is flat out the best pg defender in the league, and frankly it's not close. If you ask me a reason, i really don't know, he just does it.

I thought Green basically got into the rotation in '12 when he locked up Monta Ellis in a game where he was killing us. He eats up those little guards using his length to bother and block their shots.

[Brazil]

Bruce is right there obviously

On one hand Kawhi has better tools than Bruce, lenght, quickness... on the other hand even if antiquated way of thinking Bruce was a tougher defender (call it dirty, call it tough, you name it), he also had this nice capacity to camp into people's head ala KG.

Not saying Bruce is better just saying Bruce had this capacity and was perfect for Spurs type of play at that time, slow pace, defensive oriented bb Spurs were playing. Kawhi fits Spurs way to play ball today, Bruce was a perfect fit at his time

Spurs are lucky to have had in their roster two of the best imo

on a side note, Green is still massively underrated

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

:lmao Kawhi is great, but best ever? :lmao sorry bro.., Pippen and Jordan are better

[apalisoc_9]

Yup best perimeter defender ever.

The mainstream fans who rely on narratives would tell you otherwise though...

Top 4 Spurs behind Manu, Tim, Drob

[Agloco]

Yup best perimeter defender ever.

Pretty dumb tbh.

[apalisoc_9]

Pretty dumb tbh.

Nope.

You're just another fan drowned by 90's narrative and nostalgia.

kawhi is best perimeter defender ever.

Go watch your 90's ISO ball or something.

[Silver&Black]

No 23 year old can be the Best of all time in anything.....

Give the guy time.

[wildbill2u]

An argument can be made for Bruce as the best perimeter defender as well as Alvin. I went to Basketball reference and used their head to head player comparison tool---and the stats favor Alvin in my opinion. We tend to overlook his abilities because he didn't play on championship teams with a strategic commitment to defense in addition to great defensive players like DROB and TD in their prime. And we're talking the lamentable 'rebuilding" years of Bob Weiss and Cotton Fitzsimmons as coaches and Artis Gilmore in his final years, disguised as a rock.


And as far as toughness goes, Robertson as a 6'3" SG wasn't afraid to stick his nose into the paint; his offensive and defensive rebound total massively out paced Bruce who was notorious for staying out of the paint on offense and defense. This isn't to say that Bruce wasn't tough on the outside, but honestly Alvin was tough all over the court. Makes for a great debate among fans, both longtime and relative newbies who haven't seen them all.

As I said earlier, Kwahi has lots of defensive talent and may outdo both of these players in time---but they set a very high bar.

[buttsR4rebounding]

No 23 year old can be the Best of all time in anything.....

Give the guy time.

I'm sure we could figure out something a 23 year old can be best at...it probably has something to do with chugging beer.