Fansided

Danny Green to Kawhi Leonard for nasty alley-oop (Video)

By Will Osgood

April 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8), forward Kawhi Leonard (2), center Boris Diaw (33) and guard Danny Green (14) celebrate the 111-107 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers following game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8), forward Kawhi Leonard (2), center Boris Diaw (33) and guard Danny Green (14) celebrate the 111-107 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers following game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

In leading his San Antonio Spurs to a 46-38 halftime lead Friday night Kawhi Leonard provided a highlight alley-oop that still has fans giving a standing O. 

Next: The Greatest Player in Every Franchise's History

What’s better than an NBA Finals MVP or Defensive Player of the Year award? Well, not much. But the traits Kawhi Leonard used to earn both those awards were on full display in the San Antonio Spurs‘ first-round Game 3 contest against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Leonard has become one of the most clutch postseason performers, as he’s proven three straight years now. Friday night he was no different, as he led the Spurs in the first half with 16 points while bringing his usual wicked defense.

He even threw down a sick alley-oop which might still have Spurs fans at AT&T Center cheering.

What’s ironic is that Leonard entered the NBA not known necessarily for his athleticism. He was a known defensive wizard who could rebound the ball. But most scouts probably didn’t see him getting out on the break and finishing a ton of alley-oops like this one.

They probably also didn’t think Leonard’s game would evolve to the point that he’d lead the Spurs in scoring in his fourth season, or regularly lead them in scoring in playoffs. Yet he is there. We are there.

We’re all now witnesses to a uniquely gifted and clutch playoff performer. Just look at the alley-oop from this vantage point. The extension he gets with his incredibly long arms is just insane!

Of course props are in order to Spurs guard Danny Green for being able to see Leonard in the open court in transition, especially with Clippers guard J.J. Redick in his face. And the pass was perfect for the freakish Leonard.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Best 30 SG of All-Time

More from NBA Playoffs

Home/NBA Playoffs