2011 Article: Kawhi Leonard Climbing Draft Boards, Onto Cavaliers’ Radar

[TheDoctor]

Is there a date for that article?

I suspect it was some time before the draft because Kawhi was actually dropping (from top 10 to borderline lottery) the last week or so up to the draft -- allowing the Spurs to even think about getting him.

(Actually, now that I read it more carefully, it's clear that the article was written before the lottery even happened.)

I can imagine the Spurs pulling some "Draft Day" shenanigans by inserting rumors here and there to let Kawhi slip that deep

[100%duncan]

I still remember to this day how pissed off I was that we traded up and didn't take Chris Singleton when we had the chance. , surely if he had Chip correcting his shooting form he would've been a solid starter. But I guess that's why I'm not a scout, he's playing for Lokomotiv in Russia now lol.

[hater]

him. Resign Jamest Gist to a 5 year deal

[UZER]

Pass, don't want thugs on the Spurs.

[Ice009]

I still remember to this day how pissed off I was that we traded up and didn't take Chris Singleton when we had the chance. , surely if he had Chip correcting his shooting form he would've been a solid starter. But I guess that's why I'm not a scout, he's playing for Lokomotiv in Russia now lol.

I remember people here saying that we should have taken Chris Singleton. Not sure, maybe that poster was you. Can't remember if it was just one person or if there was multiple posters asking for him. I don't recall ever seeing this guy play. Was he in the NBA long?

[Dre_7]

Pop will just play him at PF

[YGWHI]

Nice. Thanks for posting!

Can anyone remind me why Kawhi wasnt a lottery pick? Seems like article like these, they were sure he was going to be.

Kawhi was injured in those days and it was a factor in his draft status.

But with the most career win shares and the highest Value Above Replacement Player of all 60 draftees, Leonard could very well be the best player from the 2011 draft...
“It’s luck (Leonard was available),” Felton said. “(Player evaluation) is not a science. You have to have a little luck.”
Said Buford: “Everybody’s an expert after the fact. The last thing we want to do is act like we’re smarter than everybody. (But) from a cultural standpoint, from a need standpoint, I’m not sure we could have found a better fit than Kawhi.”
Buford and Felton declined to speculate on why Leonard fell into the Spurs’ lap. But Elfus blamed a minor heel injury Leonard suffered just before the draft that forced him to cancel a workout.
“He couldn’t put a lot of pressure on it, and word leaked out (it was worse than it was),” Elfus said. “I had to scramble to get him seen on draft day by an expert and get the information out to every club. We did what we could do.”
The damage, however, was done.
As Leonard dropped out of the top 10 — Elfus expected him to go no later than Sacramento at No. 7 or Charlotte at No. 9 — he had no idea of the drama unfolding in San Antonio.

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/sp...st-6617799.php

[Kidd K]

Makes me think of his pre-draft workout video.

I love the part where you can hear the contempt in his voice when he said people compared him to Gerald Wallace. He was insulted as and rightfully so.

[TheDoctor]

Nice. Thanks for posting!


Kawhi was injured in those days and it was a factor in his draft status.

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/sp...st-6617799.php

#CIAPop

[8FOR!3]

I remember people here saying that we should have taken Chris Singleton. Not sure, maybe that poster was you. Can't remember if it was just one person or if there was multiple posters asking for him. I don't recall ever seeing this guy play. Was he in the NBA long?

He was on the Wizards a few years, couldn't shoot, I don't think he got a lot of playtime. Good defender but I think they tried to play him as a stretch 4 which he didn't have the body for.

[Chinook]

I remember people here saying that we should have taken Chris Singleton. Not sure, maybe that poster was you. Can't remember if it was just one person or if there was multiple posters asking for him. I don't recall ever seeing this guy play. Was he in the NBA long?

It was that dude TJastal.

[thiste]

Pass, don't want thugs on the Spurs.

This. They can never shut up.