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

[DarrinS]

He just needs to pick his spots. The current offensive system doesn't benefit from any ONE player going full Enrique.

[Cry Havoc]

Outside of Manu, I can't remember the last time a Spurs perimeter player had the green light to improvise as much as we've seen from Leonard. He's the #1 option in transition and it's not even close, and they don't seem to mind if he forces a contested shot in the paint coming off transition, instead of pulling it back and getting into a set. He's allowed to force the issue.

Even in the halfcourt, when the ball gets to him, sometimes he continues to move within the offense, drive and finish/kick, but other times he'll just take a step back and take his guy on, either with the dribble or get himself into a post position where the rest of the team clears up and gives him room to work.

To my eye it looks like he's allowed to do whatever he wants, but he's been responsible with it, not taking too many bad shots.

Just like every other year, Pop using the regular season as practice grounds for the Post. He wants Kawhi to get a feel for everything he wants to do.

[DPG21920]

With Kawhi its passing, decision making and patience. He rushes a lot still as he gets giddy. He needs to stop Brook Lopezing in the post all the time too. He's doing damn well. His effort on defense and transition is fantastic and his post play is so damn efficient. His mid range game is very, very good. He just has to feel the game out better on offense.

[gilmor2002]

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..

Things gonna change. With Tim and Manu nearing retirement, Kawhi obviously have to step up. That's why is he is the Big 1.

This is going to be a transition phase with Kawhi and Tony playing together.

I am pretty sure all this Pop's talk is preparing Kawhi for the near future when the Spurs is no longer the Big 3.

[100%duncan]

It's a long time coming. Funny how we were all worried for the Post TD/Big 3 era and now that Pop has finally "chosen" the next big thing for us, a lot of ya'll are hesitant and want to go back into the past. And it's not like Kawhi is an inefficient volume chucker, the dude's been pretty efficient throughout his whole NBA career. He has the tool to become what he wants to be, the strength and quickness to drive, the shot, the post-up, the defense, everything. It's time to give the keys to some new young kid, whether we like it or not.

[spurraider21]

It's a long time coming. Funny how we were all worried for the Post TD/Big 3 era and now that Pop has finally "chosen" the next big thing for us, a lot of ya'll are hesitant and want to go back into the past. And it's not like Kawhi is an inefficient volume chucker, the dude's been pretty efficient throughout his whole NBA career. He has the tool to become what he wants to be, the strength and quickness to drive, the shot, the post-up, the defense, everything. It's time to give the keys to some new young kid, whether we like it or not.

but Timmy

its too hard

[NickiRasgo]

I have watched his highlights against 76ers, yeah 76ers but I noticed his playmaking ability is improving.

[Blake]

not "near"

he's getting a max deal

wouldn't surprise me either way

[itzsoweezee]

translation: making a case for Kawhi in the Allstar

he needs to step it up to get in the mix:
randolph - nope
aldrige
favors - nope
ibaka - nope
griffin
gay - nope
dirk
kawhi

[apalisoc_9]

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..

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..

[Blake]

"You've got big ones"

[-21-]

This is gonna make apalisoc_9 so happy.

[spurraider21]

Agree 100%

[phxspurfan]

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.

[SpurPadre]

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..

Best sidekick in the history of the game? Well, that le currently belongs to Scottie Pippen and he's a Hall of Famer. So if you think that Kawhi has that potential, that would make him a star.

[aintjustthem]

Is there anyone better at the small forward position currently in the West? I know KD is back, but in the NBA as it stands now Kawhi is on top when it comes to small forwards in the West.

[Malik Hairston]

Is there anyone better at the small forward position currently in the West? I know KD is back, but in the NBA as it stands now Kawhi is on top when it comes to small forwards in the West.

Well Dominos Durant is obviously better..the Kings version of Rudy Gay is a toss-up, depending on what you value(Gay has really cleaned his game up since his embarrassing exit from the Raptors, where he realized he needs to alter his playing style to something less cancerous)..those are probably the only 2 in the mix with him..

[apalisoc_9]

Best sidekick in the history of the game? Well, that le currently belongs to Scottie Pippen and he's a Hall of Famer. So if you think that Kawhi has that potential, that would make him a star.

kawhi is a star and a future Hall of famer, I have no doubt that..I said that back in his rookie year...

franchise..starting to think he is.

[apalisoc_9]

translation: making a case for Kawhi in the Allstar

he needs to step it up to get in the mix:
randolph
aldrige
favors
ibaka
griffin
gay
dirk
kawhi

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.

[BatManu20]

I've noticed it too, tbh. With his baseline fade-aways.

[apalisoc_9]

I've noticed it too, tbh. With his baseline fade-aways.

This is awesome, because it will allow kawhi to score even at later ages..

[spursparker9]

.

Now Tony is going to solo even more

[Richie]

Best sidekick in the history of the game? Well, that le currently belongs to Scottie Pippen and he's a Hall of Famer. So if you think that Kawhi has that potential, that would make him a star.

Agreed. Pippen is actually a very interesting comparison to Kawhi. Leonards goal should be to emulate Pippens defence and post game, he's already a better 3 point and mid range shooter (using Pippens late career stats) but he'll never be the playmaker that Pippen was.

[apalisoc_9]

Agreed. Pippen is actually a very interesting comparison to Kawhi. Leonards goal should be to emulate Pippens defence and post game, he's already a better 3 point and mid range shooter (using Pippens late career stats) but he'll never be the playmaker that Pippen was.

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

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

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

Leonard is great on defense, but give me a ing break kid... Pippen could D up ANYONE. Leonard couldn't D up Westbrook.. Pippen could.

As for playmaking? LMAO! When have we seen Leonard play this year much less be the playmaker Pippen was?