Reply With Quote
I get it. I just have to see for myself tomorrow.
You're forgetting Neal. Granted he has to accept the challenge, but the fourth scorer role instantly became his once Hill was traded.
I get it. I just have to see for myself tomorrow.
Hill is having early struggles with his new team too, fwiw. 3.5 points a game on 23% shooting.
That is actually what I believe to be the most likely scenario, sort of a 'worst of both worlds' scenario. If Pop wasn't going to play Jefferson, RJ would be out of here already.
But now he gets to trot around lazily knowing he's bulletproof.
Leonard and Anderson = fringe minutes.
I've seen enough of Leonard to be confident that he's a player. He's already someone I'd rather see play instead of RJ, not just to get ready for the future but for the present as well. He can play to my eyes.
If he's allowed to play of course.
This is exactly what I'm saying. Not writing him off; just was observation from the limited time I've seen him.
I guess from simply what "I see" perspective , nothing really stands out with Kawhi, I think the expecations are based more on what did FO see in him to make such a big move/trade. I would tend to trust FO / scouts that they did see something special in him. The one thing I observed however aside from the obvious physical gifts (Hand size, arm length) is his desire to be a better player. I haven't actually seen him workout, but from all reports , the guys a gym rat. One obvious proof of this is: his improved shooting. Now granted he had a lucky streak durring the open scrimage and hit , three out of three. But from a guy who was barely a 25 % 3 pt shooter in a shorter line (college) and hardly took atempts at 3, to someone who has the guts to even take them, while playing with future hall of famers and actually makes them, this tells me , his mental drive is there. And for me, that's what seperates good NBA players from guys who simply make it. ( or what seperates a Gerald Wallace from Blackman) it's all mental. His physical gifts at the very least puts him in that category of " if he get's it , he can be good" . And in a sense that's what I feel FO saw in him. aside from the obviou physical gifts
One of them is going to get the bulk of the backup small-forward minutes. Leonard and Anderson are going to have a couple of regular season games while Neal is out to prove themselves. Whoever plays the best will get the bulk of the backup sf minutes. Because once Neal comes back he will get the bulk of the backup sg minutes.
Leonard could have shot 0-for-112412 and gone Gary Neal on the Coyote during live game action and I think we'd all still want him to play instead of RJ
Leonard didn't even know where to park his car. I'll just give him a little bit a time to settle in before i'm making any predictions about his game.
That being said I think he's already shown me that he is a better defender than RJ. That doesn't say much but I just like his defensive capabilities. His shot isn't great but he shot 3/3 3pts last game(the most important offensive attribute for a spur sf).
I just want to see more Kawhi.
I know McDonald claims Leonard went 3-for-3 on threes but by my count he was 0-for-3 on threes in the first half, hit three in a row to start the second half but then missed another two or three later on.
Spurs spreading propaganda via McDonald.
I believe McD stated that Leonard was 3-3 on catch and shoot 3s , not total 3s including off the dribble etc
I think only one of his eight or so threes were not catch-and-shoot.
ah, I'll put my trust in you timvp considering I didn't see all of the scrimmage.
I don't think the scouting profile on Kawhi was that he makes explosive plays though. For instance
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/...-Leonard-3695/
Statistically, he only averaged 0.6 blocks a game. His best trait is probably rebounding, Which normally doesn't stand out as an athletic play, but is central to helping teams win games (Having more possesions is usually a good thing). If Kawhi can be a solid rebounder at the 3, play the level of defense he's capable of, he helps our team win without scoring. I'd be fairly happy with 8 and 6 in 20 minutes a game(ideally, more minutes, but I don't think he'll play them), and signs throughout the year of continued offensive development in 1 or two ways, whether it's shooting in the traditional corner 3 role or some other way of getting points as a 4th or 5th option.
Six rebounds in 20 minutes per game would make Leonard the greatest rebounding small forward in basketball history . . .
I was answering someone's earlier comparison. We loved Hill because he had long arms and could defend. We hoped he could rebound and be athletic enough to cover the tougher players in the league. When he made Kobe his in a big win against the Lakers we were all elated, but we knew deep down that we needed Hill in a body about five inches taller in order to guard some of the taller players. When he was unable to play point guard consistently it became fairly clear that he wasn't really an upgrade over Gary Neal.
The one thing I remember about Hill was that he came in like he really, really had something to prove. And I guess he did. The energy and effort he brought, from the moment he hit the floor, were obvious. Maybe as part of that, I remember him gambling on defense, to Pop's displeasure. (But also coming up with some nice steals.)
Do any of you feel like you've seen Leonard's best, so far? I'm not suggesting that he's slacking. Maybe he's just getting the lay of the land. Hill just stuck his nose in it from the very beginning.
I know that's somewhat ridiculous(8 and 4.5/5 might be more accurate), but rebounding is definitely his best skill, and the extra possessions he earns us will likely be his most significant contribution this year, and those tend not to be shocking, jaw dropping plays. Also, thinking of a TP-Manu-RJ-Blair-TD starting line-up, He may well be the best rebounder in the second unit, or very close to Tiago.
Which is exactly what he did in his first game. Probably should have had more. Not a pattern, but an encouraging sign.
I have no doubt Leonard will get his minutes, especially in the playoffs. If you look at the top 2 seeds in the West, OKC and Dallas and you see scorers Dirk and Durant. Now seriously who in the Spurs will guard either of the scorers? Bonner, Blair, even TD, you've got to be kidding me. We really have no choice but to put Leonard on them.
The other reason why I see him getting minutes, is rebounding.. that is the one skill that translates from college to the NBA. I know some of you won't like this.. but by playing Kawhi , you allow Bonner to play without being overally exposed on the rebounding and defensive end. Bonner and Kawhi will spread the floor, while Kawhi can defend the better scoring forward. (e.g Durant , while bonner takes Collison or Ibaka)
Remember, though, that the Spurs are one of the weakest rebounding teams, so it must be easier to grab rebounds against these guys (teammates) than against real NBA compe ion.
That's an interesting point and actually gives me hope. Did we trade George hill for a bigger, meaner George hill?
That was the plan ...
Maybe tonight will give us a better inclination of what Leonard can do. First preseason game and an intrasquad scrimmage won't do it for me.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions