Season Player Wrap Up: Kawhi Leonard

By Michael Rehome
facebooktwitterreddit

Jun 12, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard talks with the media the day before game 4 of the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT

Small forward 6-7, 225 2 seasonsSigned through 2014-15 (team option)

Per game: 11.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.6 bpgShooting: 49.4 FG%, 37.4 3-pt%, 82.5 FT%Advanced: 16.4 PER, 10.1 net rating, .166 ws / 48 mins

We continue our season wrap up of the San Antonio Spurs season with our look now at Kawhi Leonard.  Leonard just completed his second year in the league, his second trip into the playoffs and what sticks out more, just a few seconds away from winning his first title all at the age of 21.

Jun 18, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks the ball over Miami Heat shooting guard Mike Miller (13) during the first quarter of game six in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into this season there were probably a lot of fans that knew little about Leonard.  It did not take long for them to realize that this kid had a great work ethic and was very humble, oh and, can play some basketball.  Night in and night out Leonard was deemed to take on the opposing teams best player.  What stuck out the most, in the NBA Finals through seven games, Leonard made life hell for LeBron James (errr, except for game seven).

Game seven would be a great wrap up for Leonard in his second year of what should be a long NBA Career.  To many, game seven was Leonards’ coming out party.  With 19 points and 16 rebounds, he truly showed some glimpses of what he could possibly become in the league, as well as the future of the San Antonio Spurs.

Just a few days ago, Leonard signed an exclusive deal as a brand ambassador of HEB, previously the works of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.  I have to say that I cannot wait to see Leonard in the commercials.  He shows no emotion on the floor, his expressions never seem to change, so seeing him in front of the camera should be pretty interesting.

We can all say that he has truly made it!

Leonard turns 22 on Saturday and should be graduating from San Diego State, but lets just look at some points compiled by Dan McCarney of Spurs Nation that sum up what he is already good at with one season down.

Handle just about any defensive assignment on the perimeter.

* Rebound at an above average-rate for his position.

* Shoot above the league average from 3-point range.

* Rank among the best ballhawks at his position while rarely gambling.

* Score at a respectable rate despite having virtually no plays run for him.

The future for Leonard is bright, very bright (you have to whisper the last part like Blake Griffins Kia commercial).  It is going to be a real treat watching him grow into a great player in this league.

facebooktwitterreddit