Pop to Kawhi: "You're the big 1."

[midnightpulp]

Agree 100%, but I've never understood why Pop props up Kawhi so much, specially in the last 2 years..He was one of the first to call kawhi a future star, a franchise, and now this even when I myself as a huge fan can't see it in his game. I've always wanted more kawhi, but I've nver seen him as a 1 guy, or a franchise guy...I've always thought, his potential is best sidekick in the history of NBA..

I don't know if Pop is being honest, or he's pulling a Geroge hill on kawhi, but that wouldn't really make sense though since at this point kawhi is getting the max..

Kawhi can still be a "franchise player" even as the number 2 offensive option. I think we need to get out of this idea that franchise players have to lead the team in PPG and be the primary focal point of the offense.

Kawhi can be the number 2 on offense, but be the number 1 defensive player of the team, leading the team on that end. Even if Kawhi's PPG never gets above 20ppg, if his defense and rebounding remain at their elite level, that is a franchise player when you consider the total package.

I'd prefer he never become a 25ppg scorer, because that would mean his defense and other skills would decline as he's tasked with more of a load on offense.

[apalisoc_9]

Kawhi can still be a "franchise player" even as the number 2 offensive option. I think we need to get out of this idea that franchise players have to lead the team in PPG and be the primary focal point of the offense.

Kawhi can be the number 2 on offense, but be the number 1 defensive player of the team, leading the team on that end. Even if Kawhi's PPG never gets above 20ppg, if his defense and rebounding remain at their elite level, that is a franchise player when you consider the total package.

I'd prefer he never become a 25ppg scorer, because that would mean his defense and other skills would decline as he's tasked with more of a load on offense.

Oh I agree with you 100%..

it's just that for this particular Pop comment, it just seems like he actually wants him to a scorer.

[itzsoweezee]

not trying to be hyperbolic, but Kawhi's post-up and midrange game is very Jordanesque. You can tell he's been studying those tapes.

[apalisoc_9]

not trying to be hyperbolic, but Kawhi's post-up and midrange game is very Jordanesque. You can tell he's been studying those tapes.

Jordan and Pippen infused into one player...

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Kawhi is already a better playmaker than pippen was at the same age. The numbers support iirc

[spurraider21]

Man, i swear some people don't even watch spurs games.

leonard isn't a natural when it comes to playmaking/passing. he's gotten better at creating for himself, but he's not super fluid when it comes to involving others and creating for them

[apalisoc_9]

Kawhi is already a better playmaker than pippen was at the same age. The numbers support iirc

my

[spurraider21]

Kawhi is already a better playmaker than pippen was at the same age. The numbers support iirc

hm, i always seem to forget how young Kawhi is given its already his 4th season. this is kiwi's age 23 season. scottie's age 23 season was his 2nd year, in which he averaged 14.4 points and 3.5 assists (2.7 turnovers)

[exstatic]

Looks like RC told Pop pre-season that if KL wants the max, he better show this season that he can offensively carry the team.

RC doesn't tell Pop anything. Pop, in addition to being coach, is president of basketball operations. RC works for him.

[Fireball]

Number of shots do not matter to me, in the Spurs system that should be dictated by the flow of the game. If Kawhi has the ball and the opportunity to post up, then go for it. No reason to force anything that's not there.
I only care for one thing and that's Kawhi playing average of 36 minutes because we need his defense and rebounding. To do this he only needs to stay out of foul trouble.

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

Kawhi to Pop: no, you're the big one

[wildchild]

kawhi's real compe ion is gay, Dirk and Tim.

Even with a more prominent/expanding role the fans votes won't favor Leonard and I can't see the coaches choosing the player who scoring less points per game than the others candidates. The AGS it's a show, only matters the offensive end and stats like 18/20 ppg.

If the coaches have to vote a Spurs player like last year because of the team winning record, they'll select Tony again, he's part of the Big 3 and one of the best european players. The later means he's more international marketable, and that's what the NBA wants, expand overseas.

[hitmantb]

He's never going to put up shots at the volume everybody wants, tbh..his style of play doesn't fit with the Spurs, which has been evident for a minute..

He has excelled in his role, because he's very talented and is a rare case of a player that is a dual-threat as a role player and also a creator, which has been made possible due to the amazing work Chip did with his jump shot, of course..

However, the Spurs' system doesn't cater to Leonard's skill-set as an offensive player..this is an extremely unique case, as usually when teams have a talent like Leonard, it's a young team that isn't in a position to contend, and can provide all the opportunity in the world for that player to experiment and run whatever type of offense he wants/needs..

The Spurs' still have the same core, no other team has ever had their core for this long(in NBA history), they can't revamp an entire system to include heavy Leonard sets, especially on the go, while still maintaining their pace in a compe ive conference where you can't go on a losing streak if you are planning on staying in the top 4..they're certainly trying to get him more involved, a lot of post looks, but it has been painful, at times, and it's evident that the rest of the team is going to take a long time to adjust to Leonard creating offense..

It would be different if he was a guard, as the Spurs' system is very friendly to guards and finishing big men, but he's never going to be more than a spot-up shooter and "freestyler" on offense here IMO..

Can not agree with this at all.

Kwahi's individual play in game 3-4-5 to cancel out LeBron was what gave Spurs the 5th le, without him awakening his ISO power, Spurs was headed toward a Utah Jazz 1998 bitter ending. Basically, it was like what would have happened if you added LeBron to the Spurs. Dominant team ball on top of dominant individual talent = steam roll the defending champion.

Team ball will only get you so far. In game 6 OT against OKC, Duncan took over. Unless you are blowing teams out, at end of games you need individual scoring power. Prime Manu always had the freedom to do what he wanted. Kwahi can easily be that guy. He doesn't have the passing but he can overpower with his strength. Can you imagine prime Manu cancel out LeBron 1v1 like Kwahi did last year?

I don't think anyone is looking for 30 shots a game. But prime Manu often mix up his drives/passing with mid/long range jumpers. I am perfectly OK with Kwahi taking 15-20 shots per game and make end-of-clock 1v1 plays.

[wildchild]

We shouldn't buy "Kawhi, you're the 1". Pop has a trolling-reporters story, saying one thing in public and doing another on the court.
Like this season when Leonard didn't touch the ball for whole quarters.
In november against the Kings, Cavs, etc, or during eight minutes of the 4th quarter against Celtics, we saw the team didn't look him and they didn't get him the ball where he needed to get it.

Manu sounds more realistic than Pop.
After last game he said "On a different team Kawhi would be pulling much higher numbers. We play a system. We take what the game gives us. Leonard's day as the Spurs' every-night go-to scorer is coming It's just a matter of time, and we're not talking about a decade. We're talking about a year, or two" so not this season with the Big 3 still playing.

[spurspokesman]

Make room america

[Proxy]

RC doesn't tell Pop anything. Pop, in addition to being coach, is president of basketball operations. RC works for him.

Never realized that

[superbigtime]

"You've got big ones"

Look at those freakish fingers.

[hater]

and yet Kawhi has delivered everytime the Spurs have asked more of him

no he's not the next Lebron or KD but Kawhi has improved greatly every year and he's only 23

agree with this. Kawhi has never let us down. (and no that missed free throw in game 6 is not a FAIL given Pop, Manu's and even Duncan failures that game.) plus it was his 1st finals.

until he let's us down bigtime, my money will always be on Kawhi

[hater]

Randolph, Ibaka and favors won't make it over kawhi specially if the spurs finish a top the west before the All-star break. But, All-star selection is different now..It's just frontcourt and backcourt..So there is Gasol and Boggie who will both for sure make it. Durant will make it, aldridge and Griffin are sure shots...

kawhi's real compe ion is gay, Dirk and Tim.

#1) Spurs will NOT finish #1 in the West
#2) since when does the allstar selection depend on team record?

gay and Favors are both in the mix definitely regardless of record. who knows if Durant will decide to join too. sure the Centers need to make it too, but IMO they usually let a few centers in and then it's all SF PFs...

IMO the possibility of Kawhi in the all-star game is about 50% (assuming he will sustain or increase the output of his last 5 or so games)

but my point was that Pop is already working the PR on it for mainly 1 reason, he wants Kawhi to join the ranks of the ref-favored players in the league. Pop is already looking forward to the playoffs and wants Kawhi to get benefit of the doubt like the rest of the superstars.

[apalisoc_9]

#1) Spurs will NOT finish #1 in the West
#2) since when does the allstar selection depend on team record?

gay and Favors are both in the mix definitely regardless of record. who knows if Durant will decide to join too. sure the Centers need to make it too, but IMO they usually let a few centers in and then it's all SF PFs...

IMO the possibility of Kawhi in the all-star game is about 50% (assuming he will sustain or increase the output of his last 5 or so games)

but my point was that Pop is already working the PR on it for mainly 1 reason, he wants Kawhi to join the ranks of the ref-favored players in the league. Pop is already looking forward to the playoffs and wants Kawhi to get benefit of the doubt like the rest of the superstars.

people take into account records when choosing all-stars..That's why miami had bosh-wade-Lebron all making it even though they were a few players in the east that had better stats than bosh.

Favors will not make it...you can't have two players from ty teams..if anything, Hayward will be the token Jazz player but it is very unlikely for a jazz player to make it..

The Possibility of Kawhi making it, is way less than 50%..I'd say less than 1% because the last two spots is not position based..It's anyone who the coaches think deserve to be in the all-star.

you have 5 Guards 5 Frontcourts and two wildcards.

Durant, Griffin, Gasol, Aldridge and Davis will all make it..Harden, Westbrook, curry, Bryant, Paul will all make it.

That leaves Kawhi fighting for a spot with Tim, Dirk, Thompson, Tony, Randolph, hayward, Dragic, Bledsoe, Lillard, Ellis, Gay, Boggie, Howard,

So for two spots, One of which is going to be the token spur...Most likely Tony since he is in his all time high of stat padding, another one will be the token Mavs, That leaves Howard, one of dirk or Ellis, Thompson, gay all not making it...

Kawhi's real xompeition is his own teamate Tony..Tony knows this though. no wonder he is trying his best to not run plays for Kawhi.

[hater]

people take into account records when choosing all-stars..That's why miami had bosh-wade-Lebron all making it even though they were a few players in the east that had better stats than bosh.

wrong. Lebron and Wade made the people's choice last year, which leaves only Bosh to be chosen by coaches. Obviously KD(assuming he holds up) and 2 of Davis/Aldridge/Gasol/Decousins/Howard? will make the people's choice this year.

Favors will not make it...you can't have two players from ty teams..if anything, Hayward will be the token Jazz player but it is very unlikely for a jazz player to make it..

never said he would, he is in the mix thou and will be in the ballots

The Possibility of Kawhi making it, is way less than 50%..I'd say less than 1% because the last two spots is not position based..It's anyone who the coaches think deserve to be in the all-star.

IF Kawhi sustains his output and is the best Spur player (which he should) he has a great chance of making it (Spurs are the champs after all) IMO there are 2 spots open for the following:
Kawhi
Dirk
Gay
(Howard/Decousins)
Griffiths (who is NOT a lock to make it)
Favors

regarding Tony, he has already given up MVPs for Kawhi so giving up Allstar for Pop's grand plan is a no brainer. thanks MVParker

[apalisoc_9]

wrong. Lebron and Wade made the people's choice last year, which leaves only Bosh to be chosen by coaches. Obviously KD and either Davis/Aldridge/Gasol/Decousins/Howard? will make the people's choice this year.



never said he would, he is in the mix thou and will be in the ballots



IF Kawhi sustains his output and is the best Spur player (which he should) he has a great chance of making it (Spurs are the champs after all) IMO there are 2 spots open for the following:
Kawhi
Dirk
Gay
(Howard/Decousins)
Griffiths (who is NOT a lock to make it)
Favors

regarding Tony, he has already given up MVPs for Kawhi so giving up Allstar for Pop's grand plan is a no brainer. thanks MVParker

spurs are the champs after all, but then deny the fact that people take into consideration team success...WtF Bro

[hater]

spurs are the champs after all, but then deny the fact that people take into consideration team success...WtF Bro

correct, current champs >>>> record at allstar break

[apalisoc_9]

Tony didn't give up anything...

Kawhi won despite him..

Lol stat padding fourth quarter of game 5

[Blake]

I think all star voters will remember Kawhi's finals MVP performance