K.Anderson calling Kawhi the MvP on twitter

[SAGirl]

At their best, I'll take Kawhi. But Kawhi's game-to-game defense is getting overrated. When he's matched up against a great SF, he can and will shut them down. But he doesn't have the same level of focus on lesser players. He also cheats off them. It's not as bad as it is with Green where Danny can erase the reigning MVP one can and let a scrub drop 20 on him the next game, but it's there.

Like Kawhi was pretty much just a cog in the defensive machine last weekend, but the tweets and articles made it seem like he led the team's defensive effort. Same thing with Durant in the last OKC game. Early in the season, Kawhi's defense was insane. That's really not the case anymore. He's probably just saving energy for offense and for the playoffs, and that's completely understandable. But people need to call it what it is. Last year at this time, he was a much better defender.

I agree he hasn't been as consistent as he was last season. Also like you say not as noticeable as Danny who can play like an NBA defensive 1st teamer one game, then completely get benched by Pop for Simmons on the other. Clearly it's not his lack of ability, but not being focused.

I think a lot of what these two do defensively requires insane focus, just being dialed in and even anticipate what is coming so you can snuff it out.

The same thing happened to KA early in the season, except bc of his lack of athleticism he can't afford a single moment of idleness in his awareness and Pop made a point to bench him at even the first sign of coasting.

I think players refer to that as the focus they must maintain for the full 48 minutes etc.

I also think to a degree Kawhi's offensive role is a distraction on defense bc him not getting fouls called, protesting non calls, failing sometimes to run back on defense and having to make a point when they are flat out hammering him, is a distraction from the focus he has to keep on the other end. It must be insanely tough to maintain that focus on both ends the entire game, which is why I am glad Danny is there as a partner to alleviate that burden for stretches (that is his bread and butter), and also why him spotting up for the 3 and letting LMA and Tim do their high lows and Tony run a PnR here or there is not a detriment to his game. But we know Kawhi can bring it on both ends when he must.

[dabom]

Every time Green has a decent game with 28-30 minutes Chinook has to downplay Kawhi every ing time. I swear.

[dabom]

Green a ing role player. Most inconsistent on the team. You can never depend on that .

[SAGirl]

I find funny/crazy/stupid that people can't see his impressive help-defense and also how quickly he recovers to his man...Can't remember a perimeter player with his off-ball D.

That is by far the most impressive aspect... obviously the one on one stuff really stands out. The defense on Lebron in the 2014 finals was epic and for the ages IMO... but the off the ball and help defense is probably the most unique aspect, how he's able to shut down whole sides of the floor and recover to his man without fouling. The man is just absolutely spectacular... I haven't seen anything like it (for the record, I never watched Pippen, recent NBA fan here), but still, I haven't seen anything like him from anyone. By far better than Draymond Green. Yes, Draymond is incredibly versatile too, but Kawhi to me is on another level.

[Chinook]

I get you. He still made Durant work really hard to score.

You don't get me then. He wasn't really on KD much at all that whole game. And he wasn't on Westbrook either. He was on Roberson. I said during the game that I really liked Pop doing that because it both kept Green focused and allowed Leonard to play help defense with no fear of being burned. I think Pop should stick with that going forward. Doesn't mean that he should get credit for things he didn't do.

[YGWHI]

his "cheating" is part of the gameplan.

On a Pop's team, all defensive things are part of the game plan.

[dabom]

Green ain't even a quarter of the defender Kawhi is.

[dabom]

his "cheating" is part of the gameplan.

N"ah brah he just out there so he doesn't get burned" Chinook

[dabom]

You don't get me then. He wasn't really on KD much at all that whole game. And he wasn't on Westbrook either. He was on Roberson. I said during the game that I really liked Pop doing that because it both kept Green focused and allowed Leonard to play help defense with no fear of being burned. I think Pop should stick with that going forward. Doesn't mean that he should get credit for things he didn't do.

Even motha ing Green says Kawhi is a God you face.

[Chinook]

Or this...

I mean, Kawhi left Curry wide the open on that play running to Thompson. It's great that broken-spirit Curry allowed Leonard to close out on him (it was a good, hard close too, like the ones ElNono hates), but he should never have had the chance. You can say that Kawhi was guarding Barnes at the beginning of that play, but he also left him wide the open to run at Thompson, who Parker was already closing out on. LMA is actually the hero of that play defensively, as he is pretty much providing perfect zone defense among Curry, Barnes and Green. Had he been in the wrong position, Klay throws that skip pass for an open look.

[dabom]

People actually think we can defend without Kawhi or even Duncan on the floor are ing IDIOTS.

This just shows how low IQ this s are.

[SAGirl]

You don't get me then. He wasn't really on KD much at all that whole game. And he wasn't on Westbrook either. He was on Roberson. I said during the game that I really liked Pop doing that because it both kept Green focused and allowed Leonard to play help defense with no fear of being burned. I think Pop should stick with that going forward. Doesn't mean that he should get credit for things he didn't do.

We are doing some things differently this season. I am not an expert on these things at all, what little I know is because I really enjoy watching defense, and will sometimes slow some sections to better appreciate what players are doing, etc. but I suppose some things were tweaked to allow him to preserve energy, and save it for when it really matters.

[dabom]

Duncan on the bench for matchups. ...And Kawhi too?

Sorry but Green ain't doing any ing defense without Kawhi on the floor.

[YGWHI]

Green ain't even a quarter of the defender Kawhi is.

Danny's a great defender but Kawhi's by far the best. His one-on-one/off-ball D combo is unmatchable

[SAGirl]

On a Pop's team, all defensive things are part of the game plan.

Have to agree with you, he will bench whoever is not executing, or at least call him out.

Obviously you will see players not execute what he wants at times, but allowing Kawhi to cheat is probably a license for him, same as him occasionally going for an offensive board. Its not something we do regularly, but he has license to go for them.

Patty and Manu gamble for steals too. I think some players have a high enough success rate that disruption is part of what they do. In Patty's case for example, he is deficient in several areas on individual defense so he must do other things to compensate. If its part of the strategy, his teammates must be aware of Patty to help cover up for a failed gamble.

[dabom]

Danny's a great defender but Kawhi's by far the best. His one-on-one/off-ball D combo is unmatchable

Him on the floor changes the other teams offensive flow and they have to try different things. This causes lower percentage shots or turnovers. It ain't "voodoo" Chinook

[dabom]

Danny's a great defender but Kawhi's by far the best. His one-on-one/off-ball D combo is unmatchable

Of course. I just can't stand player fans sometimes.

[YGWHI]

I mean, Kawhi left Curry wide the open on that play running to Thompson. It's great that broken-spirit Curry allowed Leonard to close out on him (it was a good, hard close too, like the ones ElNono hates), but he should never have had the chance. You can say that Kawhi was guarding Barnes at the beginning of that play, but he also left him wide the open to run at Thompson, who Parker was already closing out on. LMA is actually the hero of that play defensively, as he is pretty much providing perfect zone defense among Curry, Barnes and Green. Had he been in the wrong position, Klay throws that skip pass for an open look.

Bothering every GSW players move but "let him wide open"... So funny. Funny in the stupid way.

[Chinook]

Bothering every GSW players move but "let him wide open"... So funny. Funny in the stupid way.

It's not a good thing to freelance on that kind of play. The only reason why it didn't end up in an open Curry three is because LMA cut off the skip pass (the top-right picture in that tweet). There's no explanation as to why Kawhi decided to run to Thompson, but Parker was already covering up for Diaw's mistake (his man was Curry after the switch). This was pretty much the same as Russ' attempted steal at the end of Game Six of the 2014 WCF. The difference being that Duncan held onto the ball and scored.

[YGWHI]

Have to agree with you, he will bench whoever is not executing, or at least call him out.

Obviously you will see players not execute what he wants at times, but allowing Kawhi to cheat is probably a license for him, same as him occasionally going for an offensive board. Its not something we do regularly, but he has license to go for them.

Patty and Manu gamble for steals too. I think some players have a high enough success rate that disruption is part of what they do. In Patty's case for example, he is deficient in several areas on individual defense so he must do other things to compensate. If its part of the strategy, his teammates must be aware of Patty to help cover up for a failed gamble.

Allow Kawhi to do it because he excels at those things. You can't trust those guys who say Pop doesn't care about the numbers, he knows where Kawhi, Patty, Manu can get success.

[YGWHI]

It's not a good thing to freelance on that kind of play.

If Kawhi's the defender I want him to do it.

[dabom]

Best defender on the planet doing best defensive plays in the world. Nothing to see here.

[Chinook]

If Kawhi's the defender I want him to do it.

He left two people open to cover a guy who was already covered. He realized his mistake once LMA forced the pass to Draymond. If you have it, go back and watch that clip and tell me Kawhi did the right thing.

[YGWHI]

He left two people open to cover a guy who was already covered. He realized his mistake once LMA forced the pass to Draymond. If you have it, go back and watch that clip and tell me Kawhi did the right thing.

I've said before one of the best things about Kawhi's D is how quickly he recovers to his man, that's why I want him to play this way, he can bother three opposite players in the same play and still challenge his man's shot.

[Chinook]

I've said before one of the best things about Kawhi's D is how quickly he recovers to his man, that's why I want him to play this way, he can bother three opposite players in the same play and still challenge his man's shot.

He left his man open and NEVER went back to him. The only reason why he got to Curry is because LMA's effort. The play started off with Kawhi on Barnes, Green on Steph, Parker on Thompson, Diaw on Livingston and LMA on Draymond. Livingston set a screen for Steph, which meant that Diaw had Curry and Danny had Shaun. Parker contests the Thompson three very well. Shot goes up, clanks and bounces to Livingston. Diaw forgets he's guarding Curry and closes out to Livingston. Parker does too, as does Green (who was the only one who was supposed to do so). That left three guys who closed out on a 17-percent shooter who passed to Klay. Kawhi decided to leave Barnes open to run at Klay, but Parker had already peeled off Livingston and was closing.

The whole time, Curry had leaked to the opposite corner, running right past Leonard on the way. No Spur except Aldridge noticed. LaMarcus sees Steph but also knows his man is beyond the arc and is one pass away. So he does something that is being completely overlooked by everyone else in this thread. He squares he shoulders with Thompson and mirrors Klay's, keeping himself between the ball and Curry. Around this time, Kawhi realizes that there are four Spurs on near side of the court (the side he wasn't supposed to be on) and looks for Curry. Thompson gives up on the skip pass and gives it to Draymond instead. Leonard finds Curry (who's worked his way up to the wing by this point) and starts closing out. Draymond passes to Curry. About this time, Green finally finds out who was left open and sinks to cover Kawhi's man (Barnes). Kawhi closes out exactly as he is supposed to, selling out why not being in any danger to foul. Curry responds both the way he is supposed to and the way that works the best for him by resetting after letting Kawhi fly by him. About this time, Green is doing the secondary close-out. Curry's shot goes up and clanks.

I understand why Kawhi leaked out. He wanted to prevent the Thompson three. And it was good awareness to find Curry. Diaw totally pulled a 6 and completely left his man for a rebound. Danny could have immediately run to Curry once he saw Diaw in front of him. Literally, the only person who did his job perfectly was Aldridge. It wasn't an example of how Kawhi can cover up for other people. It was an example of how people freelance rotating (first Diaw then Kawhi) completely messes up the other rotations.