Will Kawhi ever take the next step on a healthy Spurs team?

[DMC]

Being 28 secs away from another le probably reinforced the belief the status quo is good enough...

I just think Pop isn't really focused or worried about it... IMO, he knows Kawhi will keep improving (even if ever so slightly) because of gained experience, more games under his belt, better understanding of what the Spurs need in the system, etc etc etc... I just don't think he's going to force the issue, because he would need to break something that, by a lot of measures, it's working well...

I think Pop sees his team as a blade that's as sharp as he can make it, when it's honed. It's not going to be 200x folded Damascus, but 440 Stainless that's always sharp enough to cut through most of the objects it encounters if he swings it right. He's the old mechanic who still uses manual troubleshooting with a meter and a probe instead of a diagnostics PC. He can get it done if the task isn't too large, but if all others are clicking, his team is not good enough to win the ring. I think that's probably always been the case, even when Tim was in his prime. It took some misfortunes elsewhere to get there, the Spurs were never the far and away strongest team in the league, thus no repeat les. They just made fewer mistakes, had better ball movement, players with higher BB IQs, better in game adjustments and better time management than other teams.

[siraulo23]

Quality thread tbh

and unfortunately no, not any time soon

Pop's just not the type of guy who's gonna alter his system just so a player could accelerate his growth as a basketball player, i agree that leonard should be the focal point of the offense when td/tp is not on the floor but he doesnt even get plays called in those situations

The guards just dominate the ball in pop's system, it's all guards/bigs pick n rolls, SFs play off the ball and camp in the corner

With that said, kawhi is still gonna be solid this season, he's just in a slump/confidence issue, he'll get it together when it matters but the question is, does he progress enough this season to be a serious threat in the POs?

[wildbill2u]

SpursTalk fans are simply expecting too much of Leonard. He's a good player--but he'll never be a dominant franchise player you build a team around. Those guys come around about once a decade and their supers om is clearly visible by their third year. He fades into the background too often to be a developing superstar, neither eager, willing or able to put the team on his back and will them to victory.

Leonard will probably be another Sean Elliott, Gene Banks, Willie Anderson, Larry Kenon or maybe a Bowen.

[ElNono]

I think Pop sees his team as a blade that's as sharp as he can make it, when it's honed. It's not going to be 200x folded Damascus, but 440 Stainless that's always sharp enough to cut through most of the objects it encounters if he swings it right. He's the old mechanic who still uses manual troubleshooting with a meter and a probe instead of a diagnostics PC. He can get it done if the task isn't too large, but if all others are clicking, his team is not good enough to win the ring. I think that's probably always been the case, even when Tim was in his prime. It took some misfortunes elsewhere to get there, the Spurs were never the far and away strongest team in the league, thus no repeat les. They just made fewer mistakes, had better ball movement, players with higher BB IQs, better in game adjustments and better time management than other teams.

Oh, I agree. But I also think that's actually maximizing the realities of the league. IMO, Pop isn't at fault that top free agents rarely, if ever, want to come play in a small market. In other words, making a "superfriends" team might never really be in the cards for the Spurs. If we acknowledge the FO is making lemonade from the get go, then I think they've been done a terrific job.

[DMC]

Oh, I agree. But I also think that's actually maximizing the realities of the league. IMO, Pop isn't at fault that top free agents rarely, if ever, want to come play in a small market. In other words, making a "superfriends" team might never really be in the cards for the Spurs. If we acknowledge the FO is making lemonade from the get go, then I think they've been done a terrific job.

The Spurs will never have a stacked team unless they build it from the ground up. Even then they have to do it with foreign players and draft picks because once free agency comes around, the majority of developed talent is going to go elsewhere for more money. So you're right. The system Pop runs is at the razors edge of possibility for the level of talent and athleticism, however there's more going on there than just a system. It's a core group who, for the most part, play for each other as much as for individual accolades. I think they enjoy playing together, their coach enjoys them, and they respect their coach. There's not many organizations in the world like that in any sport. I think that's how they get the most from new players. They plug them into a system that has other options, and the veterans support the newbies. There's simply no plausible explanation for their successes otherwise, unless you credit Tim Duncan for all of it. He certainly deserves a good portion of the credit however.

With other teams, especially recently stacked ones, everything looks good until they have a losing streak. Then you see the stars start doubting the coaching staff. You start to see innuendo regarding systems and trades and that doubt filters down to all the other guys. Then they all feel they have an excuse to not give their all, or to just play for themselves, like it's doomsday and they have to get theirs. I haven't seen that in SA. I've seen some despair, but not doubt. Outside of the rogue players like Jax, I've not seen any real doubt amongst the players even during a bad stretch.

It makes you wonder how good an East coast, mid level team could be if they had the right front office personalities.

[spurraider21]

The primary difference between George and Leonard is shooting ability, tbh, George is one of the best outside shooters in the league, while Leonard is a mediocre outside shooter..

George is a better ball-handler and passer, but like OP said, that was aided by increase in usage in Indiana's offense..until this season, George had major issues with ball-handling, like Leonard..


Kawhi with a broken jump shot simply doesn't fit with Parker, and Pop has not added any wrinkles to solve this problem, tbh..it would make sense to increase Leonard's minutes with the 2nd unit, which will lead to more touches, but it seems like the coaching staff is more concerned with his knees than his role..

when paul george came into the league he couldn't hit outside shots tbh, but i guess their shooting coach > chip

[SanAntonioSpurs23]

SpursTalk fans are simply expecting too much of Leonard. He's a good player--but he'll never be a dominant franchise player you build a team around. Those guys come around about once a decade and their supers om is clearly visible by their third year. He fades into the background too often to be a developing superstar, neither eager, willing or able to put the team on his back and will them to victory.

Leonard will probably be another Sean Elliott, Gene Banks, Willie Anderson, Larry Kenon or maybe a Bowen.

this tbh....

[wildchild]

Leonard wants more opportunities to improve his game and he has his own way of saying it. When asked him in last postgame about if he was getting more comfortable in O, Leonard said he has played more minutes.

Agreed with OP. Leonard needs time to experiment how to use the skills he's developing in the regular season, to make mistakes and failures, and if he fails once, be encouraged to continue and learn from those mistakes.

Playtime and a coach focused on developing the kid and willing to reach his potential ability.

SpursTalk fans are simply expecting too much of Leonard. He's a good player--but he'll never be a dominant franchise player you build a team around. Those guys come around about once a decade and their supers om is clearly visible by their third year. He fades into the background too often to be a developing superstar, neither eager, willing or able to put the team on his back and will them to victory.

Leonard will probably be another Sean Elliott, Gene Banks, Willie Anderson, Larry Kenon or maybe a Bowen.

Doesn't matter if he'll never be a superstar. The greatest superstars are only three or four players by generation as Kobe or LeBron.
Leonard isn't a star but he's a guy who a lot of people would pay to watch. With him, Tony, some 1st round draft pick, then add a great FA, and we'll be a contender.

[Proxy]

feel like Kawhi doesn't know his own offensive iden y and it's a domino effect to the coaches and players from there. So yeah, more minutes. He'll be a third option at best imho.

Shawn Marion type

[superbigtime]

, i'd settle for 20 points.

[look_at_g_shred]

When Kawhi is aggressive, we are a better team. I wish he would be aggressive from the tip. I'd like to see him get to the line 6-7 times a game.