Can Kawhi Leonard's Ascension Cover for Aging Manu Ginobili in 2013-14?

[wildchild]

Yes? No?
The only thing I know for sure is that Kawhi'll do some great things for Spurs next season.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ili-in-2013-14

[mingus]

I think cover is the right word. I think he can. The type of production Manu gave before last year will be lost somewhat because some of what Manu brought is unique and can't be replicated, but I think if what we saw from Kawhi in the Finals (sepecifically the last game) can carry over then I think he'll cover for it and maybe more than that. It'll be interesting what all Kawhi can bring with added scoring/playmaking pressure. I think what we've seen from him so far is basically sneak peek. I think he's got perennial all-star/defensive team potential. Kind of hybrid of Luol Deng/Shawn Marion.

[Prime Time]

Kind of hybrid of Luol Deng/Shawn Marion.

I've always seen a hybrid of Joe Johnson/Gerald Wallace tbh. With maybe a dash of Thabo Sefolosha. Kawhi's potential is pretty unique that's for sure

[CitizenDwayne]

This depends completely on Manu's role next season.

If he accepts that he's not the player he once was, Kawhi should be able to cover him. If Turnobili keeps coming out in full force and his 3 point stroke doesn't return to form, though, no one could cover him. We shall see.

[SpurAddict561]

Kawhi's ceiling is higher than Manu's ever was, and I'm an avid Ginobili fan.

[Skull-1]

Kawhi's ceiling is higher than Manu's ever was, and I'm an avid Ginobili fan.

As am I. Agreed.

This depends completely on Manu's role next season.


If he accepts that he's not the player he once was, Kawhi should be able to cover him. If Turnobili keeps coming out in full force and his 3 point stroke doesn't return to form, though, no one could cover him. We shall see.

[hater]

No. Kawhi is not a creator, it's not in his DNA. unfortunately he could never achieve what prime Manu did. IMO Kawhi is reaching his peak, as I said before his peak is near-allstar (allstar some years) but not due to his creativity

unfortunately we don't have any playmakers in the team anymore

[BackHome]

I agree with ya....Manu is going to be our backup PG and I see many more games of 5-8 turnovers..sigh

[Skull-1]

No. Kawhi is not a creator, it's not in his DNA. unfortunately he could never achieve what prime Manu did. IMO Kawhi is reaching his peak, as I said before his peak is near-allstar (allstar some years) but not due to his creativity

unfortunately we don't have any playmakers in the team anymore

Not so fast. Leonard is a gazelle. He will learn to be a creator. Look at the man's arms for crying out loud. When he jumps even taller defenders can only swat at his elbows....way up there....

[skulls138]

Kawhi's ceiling is higher than Manu's ever was, and I'm an avid Ginobili fan.

Physically yes but not intensity, creatively or ballsy wise.

[TMTTRIO]

well hopefully Manu will be used more as a player coach (especially since we've lost our assistant coaches) rather than playing a whole lot so Kawhi should be able to do that.

[Dverde]

Manu is the better offensive player in his prime. Kawhi is the better defensive player. One of Manu's problem is there is so much film on him. Everyone knows he usually goes left and he tries that around the back dribble too much. Hopefully Manu will work some new stuff into his game like Kobe did. I think the real question is if TP is going to be able to keep playing at the level he is playing. He is playing like a top 5 player the last two years. Same with Duncan staying healthy. The Spurs showed they could win a le almost without Manu entirely.

[Austin_Toros]

There seems to be a fait bit of pressure on this kid. Expectations are high.

[ElNono]

Different roles, tbh

[Dverde]

I think the expectations for Kawhi are a little too high, too. Hoping he can average 16 ppg and 8 rebounds. He needs to work on getting to the FT line more.

[ace3g]

The best thing about Kawhi's development, each year it forces defenses to take a more and more attention off the Big 3.

[hater]

Not so fast. Leonard is a gazelle. He will learn to be a creator. Look at the man's arms for crying out loud. When he jumps even taller defenders can only swat at his elbows....way up there....

disagree. Playmakers are born with that trait. If Kawhi has not shown playmaking abilities to now, he won't.

[TrainOfThought5]

He can replace Ginobilis scoring. But not his creativity or intensity.

[Richard Simmons]

disagree. Playmakers are born with that trait. If Kawhi has not shown playmaking abilities to now, he won't.

yup, if he ain't got it yet, he won't get it. this stage of the game, you don't really "learn" to be a playmaker

[Skull-1]

disagree. Playmakers are born with that trait. If Kawhi has not shown playmaking abilities to now, he won't.

He is being smart and not doing too much. Something Manu should consider.

The kid makes plays. Explosive ones. He has amazing upside if he can stay healthy.

[HemisfairArena]

I've said this before. Leonard is a decent player but my fellow Spurs fans are wayyyy overrating him. He is the 2nd coming of Sean Elliott. Nothing more. And that is not a bad thing...Sean was a great player but not a franchise player like a David Robinson, Tim Duncan,...George Gervin....and Leonard wont be either. He wont carry the franchise into the next 10 years of greatness.

[Baseline]

Really? Kawhi's ascension can replace 14.5M over the next two years?

[Skull-1]

I've said this before. Leonard is a decent player but my fellow Spurs fans are wayyyy overrating him. He is the 2nd coming of Sean Elliott. Nothing more. And that is not a bad thing...Sean was a great player but not a franchise player like a David Robinson, Tim Duncan,...George Gervin....and Leonard wont be either. He wont carry the franchise into the next 10 years of greatness.

That remains to be seen...

[therealtruth]

If Kevin Durant can develop some playmaking skills I don't see why Kawhi can't.

[cd021]

Kawhi's ceiling is higher than Manu's ever was, and I'm an avid Ginobili fan.

Thats just not true. Doing a 6 year stretch Manu had an average P.E.R of 23.08. Thats a remarkable stat. For comparison Parker had a P.E.R of 23 this season. I just don't think Kawhi can churn out that type of production.

He will be good but not that good. Manu has a top 25 P.E.R in NBA History.