SAN ANTONIO — People forget, but Gregg Popovich had to be talked into approving a draft-night trade for Kawhi Leonard. To Popovich's credit, it took just one season for the San Antonio Spurs coach to recognize Leonard's potential.
A year after Leonard became a Spur on June 23, 2011, before the first practice of a 2012-13 season (a season that would produce a trip to the NBA Finals), Popovich declared the San Diego State product the future face of the franchise.
The audacious prediction shocked experts. In truth, Popovich had already been professing Leonard's incredible potential. Before Leonard headed to Las Vegas to train with USA Basketball in advance of the London Olympic Games, Popovich gushed about the 15th overall pick's desire to become a truly great player. His work ethic called to mind Tim Duncan, the bedrock of the Spurs dynasty.
“We all know they’re different players,” Popovich told me at the time. “But his approach to the game, his professionalism and willingness to listen and learn reminds us of Tim.”
Nearly everyone had seen Leonard’ ...
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Article written by Mike Monroe
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April 29th, 2016 by Mike Monroe Leave a reply »
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