How should the Spurs utilize Kawhi Leonard's ability?..

[jesterbobman]

In general, they're using him fine. When it's a choice between Parker running an individual pick and roll or Leonard running it, it's an easy choice. He should be playing more minutes, and might play more later depending on trade deadline stuff.

I'd want to see a little more use, mainly in running a PnR with Splitter and a bench unit of shooters a few times a game, but in general, thinking that the system works and going with a Parker led offense is a good plan.

[TDMVPDPOY]

real quick question, what is KL vertical? it seems like he doesnt jump that high to dunk the ball, even when his going to poster some clown, he doesnt lift off that high due to his wing spand already hitting the ring....

[Drachen]

leonard wow'd the out of me tonight. he was damn impressive.

Agreed I was just watching him go to work and I was like

[EricB]

He admitted his knees are bothering him, and that's why you don't run him out there for 36 mins a night.

[TDMVPDPOY]

luol deng was in fetus position tonight

[Russ]

Relegating Kawhi to a spot-up shooting role would be a waste of a key feature that the Spurs haven't had in a long time, the feature they envisioned when trading for Jefferson..

You just committed a cardinal sin. (I think it caused the Pope to resign.)

[Ice009]

Harlem, I don't disagree, but it's difficult to have three perimeter players who play with the ball in their hands. The only example I can think of was the Thunder last season, but they didn't have a big who required touches on top of that. Having a legit fourth option sounds great in theory, but in reality it's more difficult to properly incorporate.

As far as playing him more minutes, I've been beating that drum as long as anyone. Players like him (Marion, Wallace, Iguodala, etc.) traditionally play 38-40 mpg when they're young, despite most carrying a heavier load offensively. On this team, they don't need him to play nearly that much, but there's no reason he shouldn't at least be challenging Parker for the team lead. Pop has finally taken the reigns off of Splitter minutes wise and it's time he do so with him.

I'm pretty sure one reason that Kawhi is not playing big minutes is because the tendinitis hasn't gone away. He said it a couple of weeks ago, and another poster said that Kawhi said it's still bothering him tonight. Two weeks ago he said it wasn't as bad as it was at the start of the season, but it is still bothering him. Not sure how it tonight though as I didn't hear the interview. Based on that, I don't think the Spurs should be playing him big minutes.

I hope he is OK. I didn't really want to hear him say that he is still bothered by it.

[TDMVPDPOY]

kl could be another legit option on offense that they can utilize when there is mismatches...but no we have to live watchin neal hoist up stupid shots and KL relegated to being a spot up shooter

[HarlemHeat37]

Fully agree that Parker/Duncan should be the primary options and most plays should run through them..

I meant it more in regards to the minutes where Duncan/Parker sit, which is when the Spurs generally rely on Ginobili to do the heavy lifting..Durant/Westbrook will be playing 42-44 MPG in the playoffs, Duncan/Ginobili will not be able to play more than 35 at an elite level IMO..

Preparing Kawhi to run some offense for a few minutes in the playoffs, alongside Manu, is going to be essential for the Spurs IMO..I prefer Leonard running some versatile offense, rather than Gary Neal chucking..

Spurs need a to prepare themselves for the potential of Parker being worn down by Sefolosha and Duncan losing the battle to Father Time during stretches..it would help having another viable option, instead of relying on the spot-up 3 on every other play..

[Truckules]

He needs to touch the ball on every possession. My biggest problem with him is that sometimes he just disappears because he doesn't call for the ball. He showed tonight that if he gets the ball, he's dangerous. He might be the only player in the NBA who needs to become more egotistical.

[Brunodf]

He needs to touch the ball on every possession. My biggest problem with him is that sometimes he just disappears because he doesn't call for the ball. He showed tonight that if he gets the ball, he's dangerous. He might be the only player in the NBA who needs to become more egotistical.

Splitter too, 16 points on just 7 shots.

[DesertSpur50]

On an unrelated note (sorta) George Hill goes for 22/6 ast/4 reb/1 stl in the loss to Brooklyn. Not bad.

[Richie]

Fully agree that Parker/Duncan should be the primary options and most plays should run through them..

I meant it more in regards to the minutes where Duncan/Parker sit, which is when the Spurs generally rely on Ginobili to do the heavy lifting..Durant/Westbrook will be playing 42-44 MPG in the playoffs, Duncan/Ginobili will not be able to play more than 35 at an elite level IMO..

Preparing Kawhi to run some offense for a few minutes in the playoffs, alongside Manu, is going to be essential for the Spurs IMO..I prefer Leonard running some versatile offense, rather than Gary Neal chucking..

Spurs need a to prepare themselves for the potential of Parker being worn down by Sefolosha and Duncan losing the battle to Father Time during stretches..it would help having another viable option, instead of relying on the spot-up 3 on every other play..

If either of these happen, we can't beat the Thunder. Nothing we do with Kawhi can change that.

[HarlemHeat37]

If either of these happen, we can't beat the Thunder. Nothing we do with Kawhi can change that.

I agree..IMO, having another option for occasional offense could help prevent wearing them down..

It's certainly not a lock, but it would be a change from last year's failure..

[TheSkeptic]

Splitter too, 16 points on just 7 shots.

I think KL should take some of Jax's shots and Splitter should take some of Neal's shots. That way they can each get a decent number of shot attempts even when the Big 3 are back and playing.

If either of these happen, we can't beat the Thunder. Nothing we do with Kawhi can change that.

I agree with you. It definitely can't hurt to develop guys like Leonard, but if Parker/TD/Manu run out of gas it's pretty much a done deal.

[TDMVPDPOY]

I agree..IMO, having another option for occasional offense could help prevent wearing them down..

It's certainly not a lock, but it would be a change from last year's failure..

basically same team, nothing new...just a matter of bench showing up and hero being able to adjust to the defense adjustments on him, if he cant figure that out...he deserves to be hated

i dont think okc has improved much at all after the trade....kmart is not a guy who draws alot of fouls or makes a living doing layups...he can be contained

[KaiRMD1]

If De Colo can really come into his own consistently, this team can become truly dangerous.

[cjw]

On an unrelated note (sorta) George Hill goes for 22/6 ast/4 reb/1 stl in the loss to Brooklyn. Not bad.

Hill's developed into a nice player, but at his peak will never consistently be anything more than a mid-tier PG - in the same ballpark as the Mike Conley, Greivis Vasquez or Jarrett Jack types. Hill at $8 million per, Conley averaging $8.5 million per for the rest of his contract, Jack (as I've mentioned before) due for a raise from $5.4 million and some team like Toronto will give Vasquez a stupid contract when he comes off his rookie deal. Our PG is making 50% more than that and is a top 5 MVP candidate this year. Hill was a nice player and the fans liked him, but not worth the kind of money that was coming to him when we already had the starting gig filled at a bargain rate.

Back to the story at hand - we got a guy who was five years younger at a position of significant need on a rookie scale deal. Pop knew he needed a counter to Durant and he found the guy they are comparing the #2 pick in the last draft (MKG) to if he continues to improve. He made Deng (an all star, not that the East deserves any) look like a fool tonight. Not to mention the upside of a young guy stashed in Europe plus an older big's rights, though it looks like he's staying put there.

Don't let anybody fool you, we hosed the Pacers on this trade even if Kawhi were to stop improving after this season. Instead of losing Hill for nothing or overpaying him, the money they're saving will pay dividends in trying to hold onto Splitter after this season ... not to mention Golden State taking that guy named off our hands.

[HarlemHeat37]

Hill-Leonard trade was actually a trade that benefited both teams, a rarity in the NBA..

[chapnis]

Hill-Leonard trade was actually a trade that benefited both teams, a rarity in the NBA..

this, pacers don't need Leonard

[cjw]

this, pacers don't need Leonard

Both teams are better off from the deal, but my reasoning is that Hill's contract makes him a dime a dozen type guy. I'm by no means comparing this to a Gerald Wallace for a pick that turned into Damian Lillard deal.

Kawhi on a rookie deal is a steal. The Pacers were free to draft anyone they wanted at that point (Vucecic, Faried). I'd take either of them or Kawhi over Hill at $8 million anyday. Could have drafted any of those guys and dealt Granger to Toronto for someone like Calderon once George emerged like he did.

[freetiago]

Pacers weakness is not having any elite playmakers/shot creators which is why theyre basically the worst offense in the nba
Hills best role in the nba is probably a sixth man
good scorer and defender but his vision isnt good enough to be a starting point guard on an elite team
he could possibly be a 2 now though and an elite combo guard at the 2
the nba is getting smaller all around and the top SG prospects are around 6'4 so Hill with his elite wingspan could defend them

a starting backcourt of Bledsoe/Hill could be pretty nice

[MR-Clutch]

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...s-blast-bulls/

“He’s a guy we’re trying to expand his game, but we don’t know what direction to go in,” Popovich said. “He’s a really talented kid. He really wants to be a great player. Tonight, you saw some of that.”

[MR-Clutch]

They gotta find some direction pretty quick. They can't keep Leonard in the 3pt shooter/defense role, he's much too talented for that.

[letmk]

Harlem, I don't disagree, but it's difficult to have three perimeter players who play with the ball in their hands. The only example I can think of was the Thunder last season, but they didn't have a big who required touches on top of that. Having a legit fourth option sounds great in theory, but in reality it's more difficult to properly incorporate.

As far as playing him more minutes, I've been beating that drum as long as anyone. Players like him (Marion, Wallace, Iguodala, etc.) traditionally play 38-40 mpg when they're young, despite most carrying a heavier load offensively. On this team, they don't need him to play nearly that much, but there's no reason he shouldn't at least be challenging Parker for the team lead. Pop has finally taken the reigns off of Splitter minutes wise and it's time he do so with him.

If situation requires, I might even put Kawhi ahead of Manu in handling the ball (just behind Tony). Manu can be very creative, hence breaking down the defense; but sometimes he creates equally havoc to Spurs' offense.