Fansided

2017 NBA Playoff awards race: Kawhi Leonard is certainly a robot

By John Buhler

San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 20, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Coach of the Playoffs: Gregg Popovich

It doesn’t matter that the Cavaliers and Warriors are chilling at a cool 8-0 in these NBA Playoffs. Those two NBA juggernauts have cakewalked to their respective conference finals. Mike Brown has filled in for the injured Steve Kerr in Golden State. Tyronn Lue is convinced that he has the hardest job in America coaching LeBron.

Basically, we haven’t seen the Cavaliers or Warriors break a sweat so far this postseason. To recognize the best coach so far in these NBA Playoffs, we should look no further than the candid, bearded wonder that is Gregg Popovich of the Spurs.

Popovich has had to deal with an ultra-physical Memphis team in round one, needing six games to get past the Grit N’ Grind crew. His Spurs had to face another Southwest Division rival in round two — D’Antoni’s Seven Seconds or Less Rockets. Memphis and Houston are good teams, but play ball on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of pace.

Next: Every NBA team's greatest playoff moment

With an ever-aging roster and the season-ending injury to point guard Tony Parker, Popovich has helped guide the Spurs to seven wins thus far this postseason. His contrarian methods to coaching have Jedi mind-tricked David Fizdale and now D’Antoni. San Antonio may not get to another NBA Finals with this corps, but it has been most impressive how Popovich has this ragtag team on the verge of reaching the Western Conference Finals.

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