He's progressively gaining confidence in his overall game..
He has a subtle smoothness to his game, a versatile scoring repertoire consisting of pull-up jump shots, mid-post drives, post ups in the box, a nice finishing game with the double pump, the spot-up 3..
The Spurs will not be able to guard Kevin Durant, the only person in the world that has concocted a plan to limit Durant's impact is Russell Westbrook, his teammate..other than relying on Westbrook, the Spurs optimal strategy should be to utilize a feature that is exclusively available to them, and not the other contenders in the NBA: the 4th legit scoring option..
The Spurs don't have a Lebron or Durant-level player, but they have a 4th scoring option that plays the same position, forcing them to exert a different type of energy on the defensive end, against an option that isn't one of the big 3..
Relegating Kawhi to a spot-up shooting role would be a waste of a key feature that the Spurs haven't had in a long time, the feature they envisioned when trading for Jefferson..
I think pop is managing Leonard the right way for the moment IMHO. When everybody is healthy what we need is Defense. Now compared to last year when they focus on tp and Tim and/or Manu had a so so night it's nice for the spurs to have Kawi weapon so as a whole give him a bit more touches on O but keep it simple and ask to think first on D.
I have been saying for months that Kawhi CAN play the Ginobili role.
Right now Leonard is the Spurs 3rd best player....
He can ing iso! I'm stoked!
All we need to do is keep building him up. Once he knows he can go one-on-one sometimes, we won't have to ask him to go get his own shot. He'll just do it.
Better question : when will he pass Manu and officially become the third banana?
like i said...3 tosb needs to retire now...the sooner pop hands over the keys to KL, the better we are prepared for the future start building around KL
He needs to be playing 36-40 mins per game tbh. I understand Jack's a proven playoff performer but he can get extra mins at the 4.
Kawhi is 20yo and is proving to be our 4th best scorer/player. There's no reason he shouldn't be playing KD/LeBron minutes.
As far as utilizing him better, I'd like to see them run that quick flash to the post they sometimes run w/ Jack. Kawhi's got good enough footwork and is a fast enough leaper to get some easy hoops around the basket.
We love Manu but his health is an ongoing concern and we know he is not the force he used to be.. If the Spurs have a chance to win the le this year Leonard has to be a huge factor on offense..
I agree in theory, but at this point in his career, Leonard is capable of playing on both ends at a high level, his stamina is at peak level..
Tonight, for example, he scored at a high level, but also completely annihilated Luol Deng(granted, Deng hasn't been great as of late) on the defensive end..
Manu is still a viable option, he can still dominate in stretches, but he's unable to play at a high level on a consistent basis IMO..the Spurs of the past lived and died by Manu's ability, they did not have an alternative..this year, they have a versatile athlete that can create his own shot..
Pop is the best coach in the NBA, but he can't stubbornly depend on the old formula without an alternative IMO..Kawhi is not Bruce Bowen, he should be a key component of this offense, not just a role player..
He's not quite good enough for us to crown him just yet.
Jack should take the rest of the season off for "personal reasons" and let Leonard play 36 minutes a night
Leonard plays more with the bench and gets some iso/post up and run pick and roll with the bench
he looked like the summer league Kawhi tonight when he had the chance
also beasted last season vs portland when the big 3 were out
Leonard is a mid range scorer not a spot up 3 shooter
its good that he can knock it down and space the floor for Tony/Tim but Pop needs to take advantage of Leonards full abilities
the only chance of utilizing KL offensive game...havin gary neal go back to his spot up role, and having a real passing pg distributing, thats the only chance of KL gettin more touches
Agreed and nights like tonight should be enough to make Pop change his approach.. Spurs need Manu for the playoffs but they also need this kid confident he can take on a larger role and really chip in offensively..
leonard wow'd the out of me tonight. he was damn impressive.
There's no ceiling for him, seriously
If that happens this year it would be in the playoffs and that would equal a Championship. Legitimately, if Kawhi puts to together to that degree this year, I believe we win the 'ship.Better question : when will he pass Manu and officially become the third banana
I (think I) get how Pop has decided to manage Kawhi this season. Quell the potential big expectations Kawhi might have put on himself for his second year by reigning him in and forcing him to play a role. Kawhi seems to have passed that "test" well, as evidenced by a game like this. So I think it is time to start letting Kawhi loose and take a large role in the offense. At least I hope that will start from this game out and continue when Duncan and Manu get back. Kawhi is ready to bust out imo!
He needs to learn to put a little junk in his game.
Cut jacks min back a bit, let him run some pick and rolls where he can pull up for the jumper or drive to the basket. Also wont hurt to let him iso every once and a while with that silky smooth pull up.
Durant is too long for Leonard to score on him regularly. Durants defensive weakness is lack of strength, so I'll take Jackson backing him down in the post over Kawhi taking him off the dribble.
Regardless, when it comes to OKC, it's all about Manu. Ginobili needs to torch Kevin Martin every minute they are going up against each other on the floor, and force Brooks to put Sefelosha on him, leaving Tony to kill Westbrook ala Games 1 and 2.
The place to start is to call more post-ups for Kawhi. Pop can easily do that within the offense ... and he has a little bit. But it needs to be a lot more. Even two or three post-ups a game is a great way to get Kawhi involved and it forces the opposition to think twice before going small.
But, damn, tonight Kawhi was an absolute beast on the defensive end. He's been overrated to date in his career defensively but tonight he was GREAT. I mean, if he played like this on a consistent basis, he'd legitimately but a top three perimeter defender in the NBA.
I think Kawhi showed tonight that he can be a key option on the offensive end. When one or two of the Big 3 may be having an off night, the Spurs should run more plays for Kawhi. He showed alot of the tools he has, from mid-range to posting up on the block to shooting the 3 ball.
This, and let him set some of the screens and have some Durant/Westbrook type of action with Leonard and Parker. Leonard on the pick-and-roll/pop would be an interesting wrinkle.
Harlem, I don't disagree, but it's difficult to have three perimeter players who play with the ball in their hands. The only example I can think of was the Thunder last season, but they didn't have a big who required touches on top of that. Having a legit fourth option sounds great in theory, but in reality it's more difficult to properly incorporate.
As far as playing him more minutes, I've been beating that drum as long as anyone. Players like him (Marion, Wallace, Iguodala, etc.) traditionally play 38-40 mpg when they're young, despite most carrying a heavier load offensively. On this team, they don't need him to play nearly that much, but there's no reason he shouldn't at least be challenging Parker for the team lead. Pop has finally taken the reigns off of Splitter minutes wise and it's time he do so with him.
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