Pop: "Kawhi is the best player in the World"

[DAF86]

Damn! Surprising auto-hype. :wow

[100%duncan]

True as fuck

[FkLA]

:claw

[dabom]

Dude carried his bum ass. :lol

[Ron Swanson]

He ain't lyin'!

[TheRemix]

His ability to take the game into his own hands and drag his team back into it..kawhi is the real mvp

[Spurs 4 The Win]

Game 4 and 6 Kawhi single handedly brought us back from certain defeat.

[DarrinS]

Kawhi should start be a ball-dominant SF like LeBron, tbh.

[AztecSpur]

:claw
I say KL repeats.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/amp/OK-go-guard-him-Attention-to-defense-10983921.php#ampshare=http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/OK-go-guard-him-Attention-to-defense-10983921.php

[TheGreatYacht]

Incredible in every 4th quarter so far

[turkish spurs fan]

2+2 = 4

[apalisoc_9]

You've posted here long enough to know that Pop does this shit with Leonard.

In his Second Year averaging a measly 12pppg " He's a franchise player and our Future"
In his Third year averaging a measly 16ppg " You're the big one"
In his third year " He needs to develop and ego"

This isn't something new with Pop.

He did this with Duncan too...This is how he's treated his Franchise players.

[100%duncan]

Dude carried his bum ass. :lol

True :lol

[DarrinS]

You've posted here long enough to know that Pop does this shit with Leonard.

In his Second Year averaging a measly 12pppg " He's a franchise player and our Future"
In his Third year averaging a measly 16ppg " You're the big one"
In his third year " He needs to develop and ego"

This isn't something new with Pop.

He did this with Duncan too...This is how he's treated his Franchise players.


Duncan was a #1 pick that everyone knew was going to be great

[urunobili]

Until this point, we've witnessed one of the most increíble season to season improvement likely in the history of the NBA. Is there an ending to this and when will seal that or not.

[ace3g]

857814333614505984

[Nathan89]

But...but... Durant is efficient as fuck because he gets a bunch of easy shots.:lmao

[Cry Havoc]

Kawhi certainly looks like he's on the verge of being something transcendent. I don't know how many players I've ever seen who have played at the level he's at right now, but the list is growing incredibly short.

Kawhi has improved more than any player I've ever seen from his rookie season. If life was 2k, he went from a mid 70s player his rookie season to being on the verge of a 99. Unreal. That kind of videogame shit happens and you laugh because it's completely impossible to take place in real life, and then Kawhi does it. Insane.

[apalisoc_9]

Duncan was a #1 pick that everyone knew was going to be great

yeah for sure..But I was just speaking in terms of how treats his superstar.

When I first started watching bball in 2002, Pop was at this level of praise...

I actually kinda hated him for loving Duncan so much because I started as a Manu Ginobili fan...But he's always had a certain way of treating his superstar.

He praises his superstar, but he always holds them accountable..

[PopTheGOAT]

Kawhi should start be a ball-dominant SF like LeBron, tbh.
Would help TP's energy as well. Would also allow us to go 0 PG

[apalisoc_9]

Still, Pop has always struggled as a coach in terms of micromanagment but he's always been a fantastic Macro guy.

He's knows how to put his superstars in a position where the role players understand his importance but at the same time understand that it isn't completely his team.

[jermaine]

Kawhi's passing vision gets overlooked so much. He makes great ass passes!!!

[testies]

Kawhi's passing vision gets overlooked so much. He makes great ass passes!!!

his passing is average to below

[Dex]

Kawhi certainly looks like he's on the verge of being something transcendent. I don't know how many players I've ever seen who have played at the level he's at right now, but the list is growing incredibly short.

Kawhi has improved more than any player I've ever seen from his rookie season. If life was 2k, he went from a mid 70s player his rookie season to being on the verge of a 99. Unreal. That kind of videogame shit happens and you laugh because it's completely impossible to take place in real life, and then Kawhi does it. Insane.

Curry pulled the same kind of shit...going from a 70 to a 99+.

But Kawhi does it in a totally different way. There is no comparing the two, obviously. Curry just hits unimaginable shots.

But Kawhi...as cliche as the comparisons have become, he looks like a Jordan or a Kobe out there.

That's a good fucking thing to have on your team when push comes to shove.

[DMC]

What Pop has that he doesn't seem to get a lot of credit for is the vision to see these things before they develop. He knew KL was special when he got him. No telling how many nights Pop chuckled at Bird's picture saying "I got you son of a bitch".

[jermaine]

his passing is average to below

I'm not saying he's Magic, Jason Williams, or Labron. But average.... naaaaw, I disagree with you on that!!

[apalisoc_9]

What Pop has that he doesn't seem to get a lot of credit for is the vision to see these things before they develop. He knew KL was special when he got him. No telling how many nights Pop chuckled at Bird's picture saying "I got you son of a bitch".

That was on the drunk Guy.

I remember Pop saying something about RC and his Stuff trying to convince him not just during the draft but as well as the future....

[Budkin]

https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7btNl8WqhSCxrLnW/giphy.gif

[NASpurs]

In his first series as ALPHA, he just averaged 31 ppg, shooting 51%, 50% from 3, 96% from the line, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2 steals per game :worthy:


https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7btNl8WqhSCxrLnW/giphy.gif

[Cry Havoc]

Curry pulled the same kind of shit...going from a 70 to a 99+.

But Kawhi does it in a totally different way. There is no comparing the two, obviously. Curry just hits unimaginable shots.

But Kawhi...as cliche as the comparisons have become, he looks like a Jordan or a Kobe out there.

That's a good fucking thing to have on your team when push comes to shove.

Nah, I don't think Curry was ever below an 80. Probably not below 83ish. His 1st year in the league he averaged 17.5 points on 44% from 3. That immediately put him into "is he the best shooter in the NBA" conversation.

[.G.]

:tu

[Nathan89]

Curry doesn't have to play with the bums that Kawhi has to play with.

[UZER]

Pop trying to get Kawhi some respect from the officials in the next round.

Here also wants Kawhi to believe it.

[DMC]

Pop saying it after the MVP voting has finished, to keep KL over himself.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

I watched the whole series. Ask me to name the player that took Allens place and I have no idea. This series was not about Kawhi playing against a scrub. This series was about Parker getting the best of the highest paid player in the NBA.

[TheDoctor]

I watched the whole series. Ask me to name the player that took Allens plafe
and I have no idea. This series was not about Kawhi playing against a scrub. This series was about Parker getting the best of the highest paid player in the NBA.

Hard Cold Facts.

[8FOR!3]

I watched the whole series. Ask me to name the player that took Allens place and I have no idea. This series was not about Kawhi playing against a scrub. This series was about Parker getting the best of the highest paid player in the NBA.

I think it's 50/50. Agreed on Parker, he was phenomenal this series. I still think Kawhi deserves a lot of credit, they played him hard and guarded him very well. Vince Carter didn't look like an old man for the most part and Wayne Selden and especially James Ennis did an admirable job for a couple of no namers.

[YGWHI]

One thing that separates Kawhi from Harden/Russ...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-cA7tFV0AAgMIL.jpg

[gambit1990]

:claw

[RD2191]

I watched the whole series. Ask me to name the player that took Allens place and I have no idea. This series was not about Kawhi playing against a scrub. This series was about Parker getting the best of the highest paid player in the NBA.

Try harder, old faggot.

[Chris]

:claw

[YGWHI]

I watched the whole series. Ask me to name the player that took Allens place and I have no idea. This series was not about Kawhi playing against a scrub. This series was about Parker getting the best of the highest paid player in the NBA.

Parker was amazing in almost all games... But this whole series was about Kawhi taking over games in the 4th...Scoring, assisting, rebounding, defending, doing it all.

[SAGirl]

Until this point, we've witnessed one of the most increíble season to season improvement likely in the history of the NBA. Is there an ending to this and when will seal that or not.
agreed.

[SAGirl]

You've posted here long enough to know that Pop does this shit with Leonard.

In his Second Year averaging a measly 12pppg " He's a franchise player and our Future"
In his Third year averaging a measly 16ppg " You're the big one"
In his third year " He needs to develop and ego"
So true at every step was pushing him. Have to recognize how he Nostradamus that... a way to demonstrate the utmost trust and place some burden too.

[YGWHI]

Kawhi's passing vision gets overlooked so much. He makes great ass passes!!!
I laugh so hard when some guys say Kawhi cant create great wide open looks for his teammates...

857808175990358016

857808154788319232

[FkLA]

One thing that separates Kawhi from Harden/Russ...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-cA7tFV0AAgMIL.jpg
MaNu4Tres

[SAGirl]

What Pop has that he doesn't seem to get a lot of credit for is the vision to see these things before they develop. He knew KL was special when he got him. No telling how many nights Pop chuckled at Bird's picture saying "I got you son of a bitch".
He can be a troll to the media but he's always classy about that, both emphasizing how scary the trade was for him, how much he loved G.Hill and the fact Bird got a good solid young player and that they needed a point guard who could shoot and defend etc... it wasn't like he shipped an injury prone Tiago somewhere (oh wait he did? he got Coach Bud :tu)

[rasuo214]

I watched the whole series. Ask me to name the player that took Allens place and I have no idea. This series was not about Kawhi playing against a scrub. This series was about Parker getting the best of the highest paid player in the NBA.

Why are you desperately trying (and failing) to make this a Parker vs Kawhi thing? Both were great this series.

[FkLA]

Why are you desperately trying (and failing) to make this a Parker vs Kawhi thing? Both were great this series.

He'll keep doing it as long as he keeps getting a reaction from y'all.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

He can be a troll to the media but he's always classy about that, both emphasizing how scary the trade was for him, how much he loved G.Hill and the fact Bird got a good solid young player and that they needed a point guard who could shoot and defend etc... it wasn't like he shipped an injury prone Tiago somewhere (oh wait he did? he got Coach Bud :tu)

FOs can't afford to brag about winning trades, because they'd close doors when fleecing someone. Do you think there's a late lottery team willing to trade with the Spurs on draft night? Even if the offer looks good they'd be crucified by the media for it.

[rasuo214]

He'll keep doing it as long as he keeps getting a reaction from y'all.

It's awful trolling tbqh, now the laker fan is much better at it.

[DeRozan m8]

Incredible in every 4th quarter so far

This is literally the first positive thing I've ever heard you say about him

[FkLA]

It's awful trolling tbqh, now the laker fan is much better at it.

It is awful but the best way to show that is by just ignoring him, tbh.

[apalisoc_9]

:cry

[SAGirl]

FOs can't afford to brag about winning trades, because they'd close doors when fleecing someone. Do you think there's a late lottery team willing to trade with the Spurs on draft night? Even if the offer looks good they'd be crucified by the media for it.
good point

[MaNu4Tres]

MaNu4Tres

About as much sample size as one game.

He had a great series and came through when Spurs needed him. It wasn't because he's clutch, it's because his the best player in the world right now. He's fucking good 1st or 4th quarter.

[duncan2k5]

What Pop has that he doesn't seem to get a lot of credit for is the vision to see these things before they develop. He knew KL was special when he got him. No telling how many nights Pop chuckled at Bird's picture saying "I got you son of a bitch".

LMFAO!

[cutewizard]

Lead us to the NBA Finals then, and then we can talk.....

hard thoughts, hard words, hard deeds

[LaMarcus Bryant]

A player with Kawhi's physical gifts and mental stability, with the opportunity to learn from Duncan, Manu, Parker, Pop, etc....Was a perfect Kawhiet storm

[theman21]

I think it's 50/50. Agreed on Parker, he was phenomenal this series. I still think Kawhi deserves a lot of credit, they played him hard and guarded him very well. Vince Carter didn't look like an old man for the most part and Wayne Selden and especially James Ennis did an admirable job for a couple of no namers.
Agree with this...Parker was great not taking anything from that...but I even thought Carter's defense on Kawhi was good when we met in regular season, not sure what it was, perfect amount of size/strength ...will be good warm up for Kawhi, especially since he had to deal with the hard doubles when Carter needed help.

In any case I think the series summary was: Kawhi proves he's legit....Parker's resurgence turns championship prospects higher; while Grizzlies overperformed from their lifeless regular season.

[Mr. Body]

His progress has been jaw-dropping. He was regularly shredding double teams in this series. His skill and decision-making was incredible.

[apalisoc_9]

Best player in the world.

[quentin_compson]

What maybe amazed me the most in this series was how quickly Kawhi has learned to be a facilitator and to pick defenses apart with his passing when he is being double-teamed. We're witnessing something truly great.

[UZER]

The only thing Kawhi lacks is explosion. Sure he can get up, but he has to gather. This is why he finishes a lot at the room with layups in traffic.

His first step is not really super quick either. But he does have a long first step. I'm not having anything away from him and his amazing talent. In fact it's amazing how good he is despite not having the freak athleticism.

He is Duncan on the wing.

[Seventyniner]

The Spurs can try the Cavs blueprint with Kawhi playing as well as LeBron and Parker looking like Kyrie lite.

[Horse]

I watched the whole series. Ask me to name the player that took Allens place and I have no idea. This series was not about Kawhi playing against a scrub. This series was about Parker getting the best of the highest paid player in the NBA.

This is true except the fact that ONE player didn't guard Leonard. Don't get me wrong Tony was fantastic but Kawhi is the man.

[Mr. Body]

The only thing Kawhi lacks is explosion. Sure he can get up, but he has to gather. This is why he finishes a lot at the room with layups in traffic.

His first step is not really super quick either. But he does have a long first step. I'm not having anything away from him and his amazing talent. In fact it's amazing how good he is despite not having the freak athleticism.

He is Duncan on the wing.

He makes up for it by being exceptionally strong. He can break through double teams or bump aside a thinner defender without trouble. He's also relentless, which makes up for a lot. I'd take those qualities over explosion any day.

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-hoAZvV0AAWuII.jpg:large

[lefty]

Dear Porker Stans




















:lol

[Down Under]

He was the best player in the first round, lets hope he can keep it up and show he is better than LeBron. Can't believe his passing is developing in the playoffs.

[Keepin' it real]

The world is a pretty big place.

[Mikeanaro]

What happened to Anthony Davis? :lol

[LoneStarState'sPride]

Kawhi certainly looks like he's on the verge of being something transcendent. I don't know how many players I've ever seen who have played at the level he's at right now, but the list is growing incredibly short.

Kawhi has improved more than any player I've ever seen from his rookie season. If life was 2k, he went from a mid 70s player his rookie season to being on the verge of a 99. Unreal. That kind of videogame shit happens and you laugh because it's completely impossible to take place in real life, and then Kawhi does it. Insane.

Incredible that's where we're at right now. To think my stupid ass was actually pissed we let IUPUI go for some no-name scrub out of SDSU. Held that grudge against the Spurs until the end of the 2013 regular season, thinking, "eh, this guy is putting in the work, he fits in." Now he's the damn star....AND GETTING FUCKING BETTER EVERY GODDAMN YEAR.

It makes no sense. I love it.

[DMC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-hoAZvV0AAWuII.jpg:large

:lol no Durant
:lol Harden actually trying to play defense
:lol narratives

[Chef Curry]

Pop is gonna look silly when Kiwi goes fishing in the 2nd round again :lmao

[dabom]

Pop is gonna look silly when Kiwi goes fishing in the 2nd round again :lmao

Who's alt is this? :lol

[Chef Curry]

Pop trying to get Kawhi some respect from the officials in the next round.

What. 19 FT's, more than the entire opposing team combined wasn't enough? :lol

Stop trying to push the small market, no respect from the refs narrative. Kiwi is getting superstar treatment at this point.

[Snaq O'Meal]

Who's alt is this? :lol

Just another attention-starved homosexual with inferiority complex issues.

[SupremeGuy]

Lakers fans are just sad these days. :lol

[spursistan]

860128437767426049

Personally I still think Lebron is that guy-- and maybe by some margin..However, by the end of these playoffs, it could be near consensus that Kawhi is the second best player in the world..He and James have been in different stratosphere this postseason..

At this point it is pretty much clear the roster around him is the problem...Nothing more could be said than 35-yo Parker being the second best performer on the team--and now even he is gone..

[SpursFan86]

Yeah, I'm still rolling with Lebron, but at this rate Kawhi is pretty much cementing himself as the 2nd best player in the world.

I still can't believe how much he's improved. Absolutely absurd.

[TD 21]

As I said a while back, Leonard needed to rise to the occasion as the undisputed lead player in the playoffs and he now has. His current level in the post season isn't sustainable and between that and the increasing burden, I expect some regression to the mean as this series goes along, but I've seen all I need to see.

James is the undisputed best until further notice (significant decline), but Durant is the only player in the discussion with Leonard for second. Curry is as good as someone of his stature can possibly be, but his stature inherently limits the effect he can have in certain areas.

[spursistan]

As I said a while back, Leonard needed to rise to the occasion as the undisputed lead player in the playoffs and he now has. His current level in the post season isn't sustainable and between that and the increasing burden, I expect some regression to the mean as this series goes along, but I've seen all I need to see.

James is the undisputed best until further notice (significant decline), but Durant is the only player in the discussion with Leonard for second. Curry is as good as someone of his stature can possibly be, but his stature inherently limits the effect he can have in certain areas.

Let's hope his prime doesn't get wasted, because right now the path toward surrounding him with game-changing, high-end talent is less clear than Duncan in his early prime (2000-2003)..The Big 3 (with TP/Manu) foundation was already laid by the time Timmy finished off winning the '03 championhip all by himself..Nothing of sort has been established/set for Leonard with this current team..

[HarlemHeat37]

Eh, Duncan had a window where shit was looking questionable(2000 to 2002), as well, tbh..we were hopeful for Parker/Ginobili, but most people didn't know how good they would eventually become..

Don't forget how badly the Lakers destroyed the Spurs during that stretch, tbh..the sweep was demoralizing as hell, I remember thinking the Spurs would never have a chance against them, going forward..

Kawhi is still very young, there's time to build around him..I don't want the front office blowing their loads by signing an over-30 player to a long-term deal, just to compete for 2 years..

[TD 21]

Let's hope his prime doesn't get wasted, because right now the path toward surrounding him with game-changing, high-end talent is less clear than Duncan in his early prime (2000-2003)..The Big 3 (with TP/Manu) foundation was already laid by the time Timmy finished off winning the '03 championhip all by himself..Nothing of sort has been established/set for Leonard with this current team..

From Lowe's game 2 adjustments article: "Aldridge has to be better. If he's not, the Spurs will ask themselves hard questions in the offseason. They are not going to waste Leonard's prime. They have some grand ideas for how to reshape the team, but it will be hard to free up money to execute them without moving a significant salary somewhere."

Unfortunately, there's probably nothing anyone can do to combat the Warriors until age/mileage eventually does them in.

As much as a lot of us talk about an Aldridge trade or cap space, neither is probably changing the Spurs' fortunes. Their best bet is probably him recalibrating his body/game and aging gracefully, as well as Murray making rapid strides and turning into a Parker-esque steal.