Although he has seemingly been a solid player since entering the league, San Antonio Spurs’ forward Kawhi Leonard took the next step last season. Leonard helped the Spurs win the NBA Title was named MVP of the Finals in the process.
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With the Spurs core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker aging, the Spurs need someone to take the reigns and it looks like that role may belong to Leonard. Moke Hamilton of Basketball Insiders believes Leonard is becoming the face of the Spurs.
"As Kawhi Leonard emerges as the face of the San Antonio Spurs and Tim Duncan begins to think more and more seriously about the prospect of retiring, the immediate future is far from a guarantee for the Spurs. Around them, the Southwest Division seems to have gotten tougher with the upgrades that the Dallas Mavericks have made. This also could be the year that we begin to see the New Orleans Pelicans take flight. At some point, age and attrition has to catch up to the Spurs, especially without adding anyone this past offseason who is certain to crack their rotation. If the Spurs are able to remain healthy, though, another season with the same cast playing the same system should yield some beautiful basketball. As perhaps the best two-way team in the league, even with their health concerns, betting against the Spurs just doesn’t seem wise. At this point, the smart money still has them being one of the final four teams in the conference, at least. And finally, going back-to-back? It certainly isn’t out of the question."
Of course, if Leonard is going to be the face of the time, they’re going to have to pay him like it. The deadline to extend Leonard is October 31. If the two sides don’t work out a deal, he will become a restricted free agent in 2015.
Leonard averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 52.2% from the field, 37.9% from beyond the arc and 80.2% from the free throw line. In the playoffs, he put up 14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the floor, 41.9% from three and 73.6% from the charity stripe.
Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.
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