[tps_title]SF: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs[/tps_title]
Image courtesy of The Fan Manifesto.
The two best players in the league are small forwards. There aren’t too many guys at any position who can guard either LBJ or KD, but Kawhi Leonard is on a very short list of players that can frustrate the hell out of both. And that is just the start of what makes him such an intriguing potential star.
Playing with the Big Fundamental, Tony Parker and Manu GINOBILI (Charles Barkley voice), you would think that Kawhi is at best the Spurs’ fourth most valuable player. But au contraire, my friend.
Remember that franchise record 19-game winning streak the Spurs just went on? Guess when it started. That’s right, when Kawhi Leonard returned from injury. And that is just the start of the value that Leonard has to the Spurs.
Quiet in nature, Kawhi fits the bill of a Gregg Popovich-coached player. But Kawhi’s play on the court is anything but quiet. The third-year three-man out of San Diego State does not put up gaudy numbers, but he is very consistent and steady. Leonard is averaging 12 points and six boards per game this season, but his biggest impact on the game is felt on the defensive end of the court. Leonard is responsible for defending a team’s best perimeter offensive threat, which includes the two best players in the world. Flexibility and versatility are what make Kawhi a potential star in this league.
With the careers of the Big 3 of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili winding down, the franchise will soon be looking for new leadership. Next up in line: young Kawhi Leonard.
Recommended for you
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
