Why is Kawhi limited to shooting 3s now?

[ParadoxEN]

He's an elite post-up scorer, IMO. He doesn't have to score either, someone's almost always open due to double teams..

[100%duncan]

Its weird, they have totally gone away from kawhi post ups.

[peacemaker885]

Kiwi just in practice mode.

[Kikoluna]

Ummmm...25-5. I think system is working

[YGWHI]

Since Danny gets his stroke back I hope the team stop parking Kawhi in the corner.

[ILoveOranges]

Today Kawhi looked less aggressive for most of the early game-when the defender cuts him off, he won't always press too much, and just does a feel-out drive before passing. Didn't help that in today's game, the refs decided to let the Spurs get hammered. I don't really know what you guys are complaining about, he got the ball plenty of times everywhere on the court and drove whenever he felt like it. If anything, Kawhi is just picking and choosing when and where he wants to do things.

[HarlemHeat37]

Pretty tough to post him with Duncan/Aldridge on the floor, tbh..he's been utilized well, though, no complaints, he's been getting the shots up..

It would definitely be a better option than the Aldridge post-up, though:lol..fucking hideous..

[GSH]

You do realize that he's averaging almost 1.5 points per attempt, when he shoots 3's? And LMA is shooting .700 from 0-3 feet, so 1.4 points per attempt? That's one hell of a one-two punch.

[TheGreatYacht]

Magic beat that hoodrat Houston ass tbh

[SoonerSpur512]

We needed someone to hit more threes since we got rid of Belly

[UNT Eagles 2016]

We needed someone to hit more threes since we got rid of Belly

belinelli was a scrub on defense

[SoonerSpur512]

belinelli was a scrub on defense

What does that have to do with what he provided on offense?

[Kawhitstorm]

It would definitely be a better option than the Aldridge post-up, though:lol..fucking hideous..

In the paint, LMA should be limited to catching lobs & pounding the offensive glass. Unless he get the ball after he has sealed his defender, it's a struggle esp. if Danny is feeding the post:lol

[SpursIndonesia]

As long Kawhi keeps that 3pt shooting percentage & volume up, i don't mind he takes the shooter role for the starting line up. He can be the man down low with the bench, especially when Diaw is not getting a favorable match up him self.

[Mr Bones]

How's the weather up in Canada, ParadoxEN?

[LarryDavid]

He's an elite post-up scorer, IMO. He doesn't have to score either, someone's almost always open due to double teams..

He's also been an elite 3 point shooter this season.

[wildbill2u]

I wish he'd shoot more 3s. The 3pt shot is statistically a better shot to take as long as you make better than 33% of them. Pop figured that out years ago and was one of the first coaches to accept and actively use it as a featured weapon. So as long as Kwahi is shooting so well, he should continue to take the open 3.

Secondly, a spot up open 3 takes a lot less physical toll on his body and endurance than trying to post up and bang with another big. Especially when he has to play hard at the defensive end as well. The spot-up 3 is like a rest period for him.

[Mel_13]

Secondly, a spot up open 3 takes a lot less physical toll on his body and endurance than trying to post up and bang with another big. Especially when he has to play hard at the defensive end as well. The spot-up 3 is like a rest period for him.

Excellent point. His three point shot is valuable in many ways to the team and to him individually.

Not that there's actually any evidence that "Kawhi is limited to shooting 3s now".

[skulls138]

I think Pops allowed Kawhi and LMA to do what they wanted early on to get confidence in their individual game, because thats important too, but now wants them to get back to the team game of relying on good team passing instead of individual moves. This makes everybody more involved and alert.

[intlspurshk]

Spurs don't have too many deadly 3pts shooter and hence KH needs to fill the role

[DJR210]

He's shooting 47% I don't blame them for getting him in the corner.

[Fireball]

is this really the case? if he has a smaller defender on him and the Spurs are able to feed him they still do it ... perhaps teams have adapted and deny the entry pass better

well, I do not know ... another weird thread IMO

[cutewizard]

all of you are correct hahahahaha

[YGWHI]

if he has a smaller defender on him and the Spurs are able to feed him they still do it ...

Not really. We saw him asking for the ball in the post when he was guarded by smaller defenders or scrubs this season, like Beal, Neto, Sessions, the list is extensive...and they didn't pass him the ball.



perhaps teams have adapted and deny the entry pass better

A good point. But teams don't need to adapt...it's well known the inability of our guards, except Manu, to make a simple and decent entry pass.

[Fireball]

Not really. We saw him asking for the ball in the post when he was guarded by smaller defenders or scrubs this season, like Beal, Neto, Sessions, the list is extensive...and they didn't pass him the ball.

ok, obviously I watch all Spurs games, but not close enough :lol

[SAGirl]

He's getting plenty of touches and its important for other guys to get going as well.

I think Kawhi is playing really well, with a nice blend of getting his, getting others going, and spotting up.
He's been terrific at the 3, it boosts his stats, its a great shot that makes him more efficient even, and lets him rest for a possession or two so he has energy on defense.

[SpurPadre]

Ah good, PJ at commentary for espn. I was worried it would be Barry.

[YGWHI]

ok, obviously I watch all Spurs games, but not close enough :lol

You're fine, but the sad part of this story about Kawhi's post-ups is he was guarded by Harden the last, almost, 8 minutes of the 3rd quarter after Ariza's 4th foul...

How many times do you think his teammates passed Kawhi the ball in the post against Harden in almost 7-8 minutes? Just...1.

The no-Kawhi post ups thing at this point it's pretty annoying

[loveforthegame]

Also concerning in recent games is his attempts are with the clock winding down. The bail out attempts have to stop.

[Johnny RIngo]

You're fine, but the sad part of this story about Kawhi's post-ups is he was guarded by Harden the last, almost, 8 minutes of the 3rd quarter after Ariza's 4th foul...

How many times do you think his teammates passed Kawhi the ball in the post against Harden in almost 7-8 minutes? Just...1.

The no-Kawhi post ups thing at this point it's pretty annoying

Tony's inability to recognize mismatches is frustrating. Always been a low IQ playmaker

[YGWHI]

Also concerning in recent games is his attempts are with the clock winding down. The bail out attempts have to stop.

They don't call good, creative plays for him, just give him the ball with 0.2 seconds on the clock to take a desperation shot..

When I see the plays the Warrios call for Livingstong/Thompson/even Barnes when he was healthy, the screens they set for them, how they post Shaun, how they facilitate their offensive games, and then look the Spurs and how they play Kawhi...it's depressing

[ParadoxEN]

Tony's inability to recognize mismatches is frustrating. Always been a low IQ playmaker

Kawhi's lack of post-ups is on Pop more than Tony, IMO. There's no excuse line-up or otherwise; Kawhi post-ups are the Spurs best "need a basket" play.

[loveforthegame]

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[YGWHI]

680577926602047488

Keep ignoring him, after all he's just an inefficient post up player.

Damn...Pop, our guards, and their fucking tendency to ignore Kawhi's favorable matchups in the post.