Kawhi Leonard is becoming a destroyer of dynasties, writes Michael Lee of The Athletic. The Raptors star has a chance to end the Warriors’ run at the top of the NBA five years after doing the same thing to the Heat when they were led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Leonard is also making a case to be called the league’s best player, although Lee notes it would be more impressive if he were dueling Kevin Durant instead of an injury-slowed Andre Iguodala and Alfonzo McKinnie. Still, Leonard has put himself in that conversation, even though he doesn’t fit the mold of a flashy superstar.
“I just want to play and just let people remember that I played hard at both ends of the floor, I was a winner and that’s basically it,” said Leonard, who will move on to an important free agency decision once the Finals are done. “I’m just here enjoying my dream, having fun. I mean, legacy is opinionated by each person, but I’m just playing right about myself really, and what I feel makes me happy.”
There’s more from Toronto:
- Leonard’s success after playing just nine games last season will lead more teams to practice “load management,” predicts Frank Isola of The Athletic. Leonard missed 22 games this year, with most pre-planned to reduce his regular season wear and tear. He wasn’t used on both ends of any of Toronto’s 13 back-to-backs and never played more than nine straight games. Although Leonard has seemed hobbled at times in the playoffs, he has taken on a full workload. “You do your warmup, get treatment before the game, off days and after the game whatever that can help speed your recovery up so you’re able to play the next day,” he said.
- Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN imagines the case the Raptors might make to Leonard when free agency arrives in 22 days. He expects management to focus on the talent already on hand, the success of Nick Nurse everywhere he has coached and the organization’s willingness to adjust Leonard’s regular season minutes to keep him fresh. Toronto may also have an NBA title by then as a selling point.
- Marc Gasol has adjusted his game to become a modern, 3-point shooting center in recent years, writes Jackie MacMullan of ESPN. She talks to Knicks coach David Fizdale, who recalls that his efforts to get Gasol to change was one of the reasons they clashed in Memphis.
Lol imagine that conversation….
Hey Kawhi, thanks for winning us a title. Sooooo…we have a championship now, wanna re-sign?
By that logic too, everyone would sign with Boston or the Lakers.
Isn’t that why those teams are always connected to any star free agent?
No not really. There were years where they were an afterthought. They are connected based on who is there… Danny is a very good GM. Magic was brought in to attract the stars. Think about the Cedric Cebollas, Vlade years they were average teams. Same thing pre Paul Pierce.
Kawhi is going to the Clippers its so obvious. Nothing wrong with Toronto but he clearly values playing at home and doesn’t want the spotlight
There wouldn’t be any spotlight in LA. At all.
I call BS, the Clippers have nothing to offer but location. He said he wants to win, so there’s no need to leave Toronto in that case.
The Clippers took GSW to 6 with no star. They are easily a star from competing and im a Laker fan
Same logic means the Celtics are in the finals this year.
I think Kawhi will sign a one deal with Raptors which would be fine with me
Love Kwahi but the “ Leagues Best”. Ummmmm NOOOOOOOOOOO
What world is Jackie Mac living in that Gasol wasn’t jacking up PLENTY of 3s (for a Center) before in Memphis? He’s shooting them LESS since getting traded! Like, it’s a good part of his game to appreciate but the narrative that he just now changed into it is about as 100% wrong as you can get.
Gasol started shooting them suddenly in 16/17 when Fizdale arrived in Memphis.
MacMullen’s article is accurate; but the espn headline writer wanted to combine ‘raptor’ and ‘dinosaur’ in the same headline; and the HR synopsis was then thrown off.
I’ve tweaked our wording on that, since I don’t actually think MacMullan’s article suggests it’s a post-trade change.
Right, it’s just the headline that is misleading.
I think if you read the article, the timeline is clear when the change happened.
I can see him doing a 1+1 contract and trying to make another title run with the same group of players.all of Toronto’s best players are signed for next year,they have siakam who should be even better next year and they are better on both ends of the court than any team with enough cap space to sign him.
Just the best player in the NBA atm
Some good stuff in that Gasol article.
Agree with Raps902420. I can see a 1+1 where he can compete again next year, and then wait to see what the Raps can do with all the money that becomes available next offseason to see if he wants to stay or go.
The thing that may change that is if the Clips land a superstar before Leonard has made his decision.
I hope he goes to the Sixers or goes West.
Best player….this narrative is so stupid. Why compare players? It’s a team game…5 players. Teams win…not single players. Measure greatness in hardware…you have rings or not? The players check book is their reward for their individual achievements. LBJ, Leonard,KI, butler, Kemba AD, boogie….all are great players. All are different…stop wasting time doing comparisons.
For everyone who thinks Kawhi is signing. 1+1…. Did you forget his injury history? He’s taking the guaranteed money. 100%. As many years as he can get.
That points to Toronto & staying East. Kawhi vs Giannis for years! (I say that after liking @hoosier’s rant in the adjacent post)