LETS TALK Kawhi Leonard

[jjktkk]

Leonard should be a solid contributor by the end of the season provided Popovich doesn't try to play him out of position too much (read: as a small ball 4 or 5).

I would rather Leonard stick to playing the sf position, but Leonard possesses the skillset to play more of a small ball 4 than any other Spur currently on the roster.

[The Truth #6]

I'm trying to think of the last time Pop was stuck with an underacheiving, overpaid player whom he wasn't in love with...it's very curious what Pop will do with RJ.

I imagine the SF spot is still RJ's to lose and Leonard will be used as some sort of motivation to inspire/punish RJ as the season goes along. If this results in minutes for Leonard, then great, but I'm not expecting the position to be waiting for Leonard. I think Pop is exasperated with RJ, but he probably still respects him as a person and so will still give him some amount of respect and patience, even if the fanbase is scratching their collective head wondering why Leonard isn't playing more.

Also, Pop might not gel with Leonard because he's young and doesn't listen to NPR, or perhaps Pop will be weirded out by Leonard's haircut, or something else seemingly trivial about Leonard, and so he might not play because of that. Joking?

[Obstructed_View]

Tony to this day has never been able to shoot the 3 at an amazing percentage. I think you're guessing the wrong player.

Pop replaced Antonio Daniels three games into the season with a 19 year old rookie, Tony Parker.

If he's done it once, what's not to say he won't do it again with Leonard and Jefferson.

That was pretty much pre-ordained when AJ left. And I'd be more inclined to agree with you if AD were the worst veteran that Pop allowed to get lots of minutes with a better young player behind him. The fact is, Pop did it way back then, and pretty much hasn't done it since. Manu did start right away despite having a bad wheel his rookie year but the Spurs didn't have any Keith Bogans or Matt Bonners in the starting lineup.

[Obstructed_View]

I would rather Leonard stick to playing the sf position, but Leonard possesses the skillset to play more of a small ball 4 than any other Spur currently on the roster.

I very much agree with this. If Pop's dream of having a small ball 4 is ever going to work, it'll be with a guy of Leonard's skillset. Smallball's never been a bad thing when used sparingly and strategically anyway. The problem becomes when Pop puts RJ on Amare with three seconds to go in a tie game.

[therealtruth]

Small ball is a last resort. It's for when you're down 20 and you've tried everything else. You don't want to rely on it because it's not defensively sound.

[Bill_Brasky]

Spurs havent drafted this high since Duncan....it's easy to see why not many rookies see a lot of floor time.

JA got plenty of mins before the injury last year, so I expect Leonard will get his. They wouldn't trade Hill for a guy that they don't think can come in and immediately contribute.

[Obstructed_View]

Small ball is a last resort. It's for when you're down 20 and you've tried everything else. You don't want to rely on it because it's not defensively sound.

If only you were the coach.

[TDMVPDPOY]

small ball we been trying to figure that out since 08....fck pop if his continue that

[Tuddy]

Could see Leonard getting a lot of PT and a bit at the 4 - similar to how Marion backed up Dirk last year. I think the Splitter PT thing was a bit overstated. He played to the finals with Saski and also with the NT. Once he got injured in training camp Pop was probably worried about injuries from too much ball. I could see Splitter and Leonard averaging 25mpg this year which would probably push us pretty close to getting back to an elite defensive team. TBH we seem to have pretty much everything covered - just need another 5 to give TD plenty of rest during the regular season.

[TDMVPDPOY]

getting desperate for a big, we should just sign any 7ft who can play

is yi jianlian available? at the right price of course could be a steal...

[Obstructed_View]

Dasagna Diop should be Amnestied soon...

[DPG21920]

I don't even like him, but Ajinca should be better than Diop or Yi

[Tyrone Jenkins]

Trade TP, Blair and RJ for Kurt Hinrich, Josh Smith and a 1st rd draft pick.

Lineup for next year:

PG: Hinrich, Neal, Josheph
SG: Ginobili, Anderson, Butler
SF: Leonard, Butler, Green
PF: Smith, Splitter, Bonner (McDyess if he returns)
C: Duncan, Splitter, McDyess

[DPG21920]

I don't see what ATL would do that at all.