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

[hater]

I think all star voters will remember Kawhi's finals MVP performance

that too. Thanks MVParker

[apalisoc_9]

I actually can't wait for the voting...

tough task, but would be awesome if he is starting...

[Brazil]

^ not sure why this got is so obssessed with the ASG tbh...

who ing cares

not even starting on the parker not running plays... duh

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

Jeremy Lin will start too

[benstanfield]

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..

Meh, he'll be much better when the bench is healthy & they can play with more consistent pace. He's already pretty deadly in transition as a coast to coast ball handler & creating mismatches in the post in transition.

Besides, if one of the better defenders & rebounders on the planet is only giving us ~17ppg I aint even mad

[Malik Hairston]

Can not agree with this at all.

Kwahi's individual play in game 3-4-5 to cancel out LeBron was what gave Spurs the 5th le, without him awakening his ISO power, Spurs was headed toward a Utah Jazz 1998 bitter ending. Basically, it was like what would have happened if you added LeBron to the Spurs. Dominant team ball on top of dominant individual talent = steam roll the defending champion.

Team ball will only get you so far. In game 6 OT against OKC, Duncan took over. Unless you are blowing teams out, at end of games you need individual scoring power. Prime Manu always had the freedom to do what he wanted. Kwahi can easily be that guy. He doesn't have the passing but he can overpower with his strength. Can you imagine prime Manu cancel out LeBron 1v1 like Kwahi did last year?

I don't think anyone is looking for 30 shots a game. But prime Manu often mix up his drives/passing with mid/long range jumpers. I am perfectly OK with Kwahi taking 15-20 shots per game and make end-of-clock 1v1 plays.

I didn't say any of that..I've been one of the biggest advocates of Kawhi getting more involved in the system since he joined the team..

His isolation skills in the Finals were "freestyled", they weren't set plays, which is my point..Pop rarely ran plays for him prior to this season, as Pop himself has stated several times..

Leonard is talented enough to improvise and produce for himself in the system, but he's never going to be a natural fit, his style of play as a scorer isn't suited for Pop's system..

Prime Manu was a much better fit with the Spurs, as he excelled out of the pick&roll and playmaking off the dribble..

Kawhi's game is much more difficult to build a team around..his best offensive skill is posting up, but it's difficult to find spacing when both Duncan and Splitter are on the floor with him(as we saw in the 1st half of last season, where he struggled)..it's also obvious that the rest of the team hasn't learned how to play off him..really, SF is the most difficult position to build an offense around, unless you have a super-gifted passer like Lebron or Larry Bird(and even then, it wasn't particularly easy to build championship teams)..

[Brazil]

4-16 for the big 1

[loveforthegame]

His offense sucked. No excuses.

But it's his first bad game in how many? Let's not make it sound he's been sucking for awhile.

[phxspurfan]

RC doesn't tell Pop anything. Pop, in addition to being coach, is president of basketball operations. RC works for him.

Yes, but it's still RC's money. I'm pretty sure that any max offer request has RC raising an eyebrow and discussing with Pop, if the player really deserves that money.

[cd021]

Tony didn't give up anything...

Kawhi won despite him..

Lol stat padding fourth quarter of game 5

How is going 7-7 in the forth quarter of an closeout finals victory stat padding? Its not like he was jacking up shot in garbage time. You forgot to mention that Lebron guarded Parker in game 5 and not Kawhi. I think Wade guarded Kawhi. Parkers presence on the floor made it easier for Leonard that game and Diaws floor spacing was a big reason why KL had enough room to operate from games 3-5

[wildchild]

Lebron guarded Parker in game 5 and not Kawhi.

In 2013 Finals? Yes, but last finals after game 4 Lebron was on Kawhi more, if you watch Leonard highlights of game 5 you can see Lebron guarding him most of the possessions.

[apalisoc_9]

His offense sucked. No excuses.

But it's his first bad game in how many? Let's not make it sound he's been sucking for awhile.

agreed.

[Budkin]

Everyone sucked tonight. Everyone.

[DarrinS]

Everyone sucked tonight. Everyone.

Troof bomb

[wildchild]

4-16 for the big 1

Tim 5-18, Kawhi 4-16, Bonner 3-10, Boris 0-6 ...horrible shooting night.

[apalisoc_9]

Tim 5-18, Kawhi 4-16, Bonner 3-10, Boris 0-6 ...horrible shooting night.

Why is tim taking 18 shots again?

Jesus, he is shooting way below 20% for post ups and they continue to run through him..

[TheGreatYacht]

Why is tim taking 18 shots again?

Jesus, he is shooting way below 20% for post ups and they continue to run through him..

Quit ing about players taking more shots than KaPassive

[TheGreatYacht]

This MF has gotten y after 5

[apalisoc_9]

Good decision pop..I agree with you.

We would have been blown out if Parker was running the the show IMO.

[TheGreatYacht]

"You're the big one" ... 4/16

[DarrinS]

"You're the big one" ... 4/16

I thought this loss was 100% on Manu

[TheGreatYacht]

I thought this loss was 100% on Manu

It is Kawhi at least shut down his man... Manu gave Willams enough time to call his mom, and then make a 3

[DarrinS]

It is Kawhi at least shut down his man... Manu gave Willams enough time to call his mom, and then make a 3

You're a one-trick pony

[ElNono]

I don't care if he shots 1-237823, he's earned the max, tbh... same with Danny, tbh... would go to battle with those guys along with the Big 3 every night...

[TheGreatYacht]

You're a one-trick pony

I thought you were better than this, nvm no I didn't. zzzzz