why does Kawhi cower vs feisty guys like Matt Barnes or dray Green???

[YGWHI]

Did you watch the game? Kawhi postup resulted in a score the 3 or so times they bothered to give him the ball in the post. Instead they wasted time trying to force a LMA postup on Green, had Parker try and go 1 on 1 or Manu trying to hero ball like he was still playing the Lakers.

Kawhi could have easily had 20+ in 3 quarters yet he isn't going to win the game on his own.

I asked him the same but it's pretty obvious that he didn't.

[Pauleta14]

apparently parker isn't a good ball handler anymore either

TP is a whole other issue imo, he just didn't come for the fight (like against the Cavs) for whatever reason. Let's hope he is injured and didn't want to force...

He is such a liability on D aginst the Dubs that the only reason he can be on the floor is if he "compensate" with a great O.

[YGWHI]

Even if Kawhi went for 30+ we would have still been blown out...

He is not the pb (coward? really?) like some haters say, but he is not TMac, he needs his teammates to be on the same page, can't do it alone (that's why Pop only played him 25min).

But add Timmy and 30+min Kawhi, it's a different game

Who can do it alone? LeBron, Durant? They couldn't in the Finals.

But there is a difference saying Kawhi can't do it alone and what you said about him being not good in ISOs or not getting better handling double teams.

[Pauleta14]

Who can do it alone? LeBron, Durant? They couldn't in the Finals.

But there is a difference saying Kawhi can't do it alone and what you said about him being not good in ISOs or not getting better handling double teams.

man you are very sensitive...

I didn't say he sucks in ISO, I just meant he can't YET carry the team in scoring for long stretches the way Manu or Tony used to when nobody else could score.

The main reason imo being his ball handling and also the energy he puts on D. He is great at the post but when dbled he need his teammates and they were nowhere to be seen today...

[james evans]

I asked him the same but it's pretty obvious that he didn't.

yep, that's been a problem with discussions. People comment when they haven't been watching games hahaha

[YGWHI]

I didn't say he sucks in ISO, I just meant he can't YET carry the team in scoring for long stretches the way Manu or Tony used to when nobody else could score.

Not sure why you say this. The only game we watched this team feeding Kawhi consistently during a whole game and getting more than 18 FGA, he scored 32 points.

He scored 18 points in a half against Washington, 14 points in the 3rd quarter against the Cavs...it's pretty obvious that he can carry the team on offense.

[Pauleta14]

Not sure why you say this. The only game we watched this team feeding Kawhi consistently during a whole game and getting more than 18 FGA, he scored 32 points.

He scored 18 points in a half against Washington, 14 points in the 3rd quarter against the Cavs...it's pretty obvious that he can carry the team on offense.

That's the thing, Tony or Manu didn't need to be fed as much because they could go wherever they want on the floor, nobody could slow them down.

Kawhi is different, so much better in so many areas but I haven't seen him bring the ball all over, crossing/getting rid of opponent the way Tony or Manu did that's all...

Look, we mainly agree, the only part we disagree is imo subjective, Kwahi might prove me wrong later on (I hope so), but don't you think, at some point Pop would have given him the green light if he thought he could do it?

Maybe CIA Pop didn't want to show his cards, idk...

[rasuo214]

That's the thing, Tony or Manu didn't need to be fed as much because they could go wherever they want on the floor, nobody could slow them down.

Kawhi is different, so much better in so many areas but I haven't seen him bring the ball all over, crossing/getting rid of opponent the way Tony or Manu did that's all...

Look, we mainly agree, the only part we disagree is imo subjective, Kwahi might prove me wrong later on (I hope so), but don't you think, at some point Pop would have given him the green light if he thought he could do it?

Maybe CIA Pop didn't want to show his cards, idk...

Well Tony and Manu are guards, that's like complaining about Timmy not crossing people over in the same way as Tony and Manu. They play different positions and will have different strengths and weaknesses. Kawhi is more than capable of taking over and scoring, the problem is he isn't the primary ball handler so he can't do it whenever he wants like Tony and Manu. He needs to rely on his teammates to give him the ball.

[apalisoc_9]

Well Tony and Manu are guards, that's like complaining about Timmy not crossing people over in the same way as Tony and Manu. They play different positions and will have different strengths and weaknesses. Kawhi is more than capable of taking over and scoring, the problem is he isn't the primary ball handler so he can't do it whenever he wants like Tony and Manu. He needs to rely on his teammates to give him the ball.

Pretty much. Not sure why this simple basketball concept is hard to understand. Ginobili and Parker are still both stuck in 2014 basketball of some sorts.

[YGWHI]

That's the thing, Tony or Manu didn't need to be fed as much because they could go wherever they want on the floor, nobody could slow them down.

Apples and oranges. They're guards, they have the balls in their hands most of times.

But don't you think, at some point Pop would have given him the green light if he thought he could do it?

I wonder why Pop doesn't do it more often. The few times he gave Kawhi the green light he responded in the best way possible...scoring 30 points.

29 in the Finals, 32 against Clippers, 32 against OKC...

[SAGirl]

That's the thing, Tony or Manu didn't need to be fed as much because they could go wherever they want on the floor, nobody could slow them down.

Kawhi is different, so much better in so many areas but I haven't seen him bring the ball all over, crossing/getting rid of opponent the way Tony or Manu did that's all...

Look, we mainly agree, the only part we disagree is imo subjective, Kwahi might prove me wrong later on (I hope so), but don't you think, at some point Pop would have given him the green light if he thought he could do it?

Maybe CIA Pop didn't want to show his cards, idk...

I think some fans didn't witness young Tony or Manu, and what you describe, how they could just be dominant without needed a system even, so it is difficult to grasp your comparison.
I do think they could go more to Kawhi, but the post up does take a lot of energy, and strength (ask Lebron, who doesn't like to post up every possession either, and prefers to mix it up, drive and dish, do other things). Kawhi is not that. And I also get what you say, not hating on Kawhi at all, which some fans think you are doing.

[YGWHI]

I do think they could go more to Kawhi, but the post up does take a lot of energy, and strength (ask Lebron, who doesn't like to post up every possession either, and prefers to mix it up, drive and dish, do other things). Kawhi is not that. And I also get what you say, not hating on Kawhi at all, which some fans think you are doing.

Good to know that someone thinks they can go more to Kawhi than 6 FTA in a game...Especially against Barnes and Klay who can't guard him like this game has shown.

Kawhi's a post player and mid-range shooter, so he can mix his post-ups with that shot. But it seems that they go away from him/his favorite spots.

[SAGirl]

Good to know that someone thinks they can go more to Kawhi than 6 FTA in a game...Especially against Barnes and Klay who can't guard him like this game has shown.

Kawhi's a post player and mid-range shooter, so he can mix his post-ups with that shot. But it seems that they go away from him/his favorite spots.

I agree they should have gone more to him this game, I am also very puzzled why Pop sat him down yet let Manu run wild out there. Kawhi, LMA and Simmons played 25 minutes. Maybe that was the cap Pop had.

[rasuo214]

I think some fans didn't witness young Tony or Manu, and what you describe, how they could just be dominant without needed a system even, so it is difficult to grasp your comparison.
I do think they could go more to Kawhi, but the post up does take a lot of energy, and strength (ask Lebron, who doesn't like to post up every possession either, and prefers to mix it up, drive and dish, do other things). Kawhi is not that. And I also get what you say, not hating on Kawhi at all, which some fans think you are doing.

Well it isn't a fair comparison to make. Primary ball handlers, like Tony and Manu, can call their number whenever they want. So if they have a mismatch they can continuously exploit it. Just compare how those to do on their own vs when they have to share ball handling duties when both are on the court.

[YGWHI]

I agree they should have gone more to him this game, I am also very puzzled why Pop sat him down yet let Manu run wild out there. Kawhi, LMA and Simmons played 25 minutes. Maybe that was the cap Pop had.

Let Manu and Rasual there. It was Pop's

[Pauleta14]

Well Tony and Manu are guards, that's like complaining about Timmy not crossing people over in the same way as Tony and Manu. They play different positions and will have different strengths and weaknesses. Kawhi is more than capable of taking over and scoring, the problem is he isn't the primary ball handler so he can't do it whenever he wants like Tony and Manu. He needs to rely on his teammates to give him the ball.

You may be right (I wish so), but Pop doesn't seem to think he can be...

Believe me I would rather have seen the ball in his hand than Tony's or Manu's tonight.

[Pauleta14]

I think some fans didn't witness young Tony or Manu, and what you describe, how they could just be dominant without needed a system even, so it is difficult to grasp your comparison.
I do think they could go more to Kawhi, but the post up does take a lot of energy, and strength (ask Lebron, who doesn't like to post up every possession either, and prefers to mix it up, drive and dish, do other things). Kawhi is not that. And I also get what you say, not hating on Kawhi at all, which some fans think you are doing.

THANK YOU!!!

I know my english is far from perfect but I was starting to wonder why they didn't get what I was saying...

I have his jersey, I love the dude, do we need to say it before saying anything about Kawhi now?

The progresses he has done are mind-blogging, but his ball-handling is imo the next step that could make him unguardable the same way Tony and Manu were and carry the team when everybody sucks and the system doesn't "work"...

I still think Pop didn't want to overplay him, he is ok with the Dubs thinking they can deal with Kawhi (which I'm sure they think).

[Pauleta14]

Well it isn't a fair comparison to make. Primary ball handlers, like Tony and Manu, can call their number whenever they want. So if they have a mismatch they can continuously exploit it. Just compare how those to do on their own vs when they have to share ball handling duties when both are on the court.

The best comparison is Paul George, Kawhi is a better overall player, but PG is way more comfortable with the ball and is often their primary ball-handler.

I want Kawhi to get to that point. Just a matter of time imo...

[313]

The best comparison is Paul George, Kawhi is a better overall player, but PG is way more comfortable with the ball and is often their primary ball-handler.

I want Kawhi to get to that point. Just a matter of time imo...

Paul George has improvved as a ball handler, but his issues were different than Kawhis. He was always more comfortable with the ball, he was just wreckless, and loose with his handle, kind of like Simmons. Kawhi is not a natural ball handler.

[Pauleta14]

Paul George has improvved as a ball handler, but his issues were different than Kawhis. He was always more comfortable with the ball, he was just wreckless, and loose with his handle, kind of like Simmons. Kawhi is not a natural ball handler.

I know, but he was neither a natural shooter and look at the level he is at...

I have no doubt he can improve greatly in that area and it will make a huge difference!

[313]

I know, but he was neither a natural shooter and look at the level he is at...

I have no doubt he can improve greatly in that area and it will make a huge difference!

I hope so

[rasuo214]

The best comparison is Paul George, Kawhi is a better overall player, but PG is way more comfortable with the ball and is often their primary ball-handler.

I want Kawhi to get to that point. Just a matter of time imo...

It would be nice to see Kawhi get more experience as a primary ball handler and see how it goes. The only way to improve is with more experience, like Kawhi's postups, at first he wasn't very good at reacting to the double team but the more he sees them the better he gets.

[Ginobili3]

What the are you gots talking about? Kawhi is the only one who played halfway decent.

D-West, Simmons and Manu were our best players. Kawhi touched the ball way too little to be considered any sort of factor.

[tholdren]

Great got reduced to quoting his own alts because nobody other than the got OP agrees with him.

Go away

[theman21]

That's the problem here, Kawhi brought fire to his game and wanted the ball so badly, but for whatever reason (team running the offense perhaps), Kawhi just wasn't getting the ball. Kawhi is the Spurs biggest threat to GSW and he wasn't utilized efficiently and Pop needs to figure this out or Spurs will continue to lose to Warriors in blowouts.

I'm starting to grow tired of the fact that the Spurs still don't have an offensive play set that gets the ball into Kawhi's hands.

Our strength is ISO and inside out and we still have factions of the team who believe motion and PnR are our strengths.