One of the stand outs of the NBA Finals was Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 14.5 pooints 11.1 rebounds and 2 steals a game in the Finals. In Game 7 he kept the Spurs within reach with 19 points and 16 rebounds.
“That’s a really happy story,” Popovich said when asked about Leonard’s development, via KENS5.com. “You wouldn’t know it looking at Kawhi’s face, because it never changes. You don’t know if he’s happy or sad. His demeanor and his approach have been so mature beyond his years. He’s basically a senior in college. He went through the Finals of the playoffs as if he was going to H-E-B to pick up dinner or something.”
“He was unbelievable. That’s both in his poise, in his skill development, which, again, Chip and Chad get credit for, and his reaction to wins, his reaction to losses. The way he mingled with teammates, the way he learned from them. Unbelievably coachable. Hard worker. He’s going to be a future star, because he’s like a babe in the woods still.”
Leonard was drafted by the Indiana Pacers but joined the Spurs via the trade involving George Hill. And while Leonard was a defensive focal point for the Spurs, his offensive production has been exciting.
“I don’t even call plays for him and you see what he does out on the court,” Popovich said. “He’s just beginning to feel his way and he’ll be getting the ball more and more as time goes on.”