Kawhi Leonard is so close.
The 2014 NBA Finals MVP averaged 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in the San Antonio Spurs' five-game gentleman's sweep of the Miami Heat. After three years of teasing us with his all-world ability, we finally saw Leonard break out on the big stage, even if it was just for a week-and-a-half.
Leonard had always been more than just a contributor before the Finals. He simply never put up the gaudy numbers everyone knew he could, after most of the world predicted his stats would blow up in each of the last two years. Still, the third-year pro's numbers remained relatively consistent—finishing the 2013-14 regular season averaging 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals per 36 minutes, superb considering his defensive prowess but not in the superstar realm.
But when you go off for 29 points in Game 3, you're starting to hit that level. When you post a ridiculous 75.5 true shooting percentage in the NBA Finals, you're getting closer. But are expectations going to become too high for someone who's made his career playing of ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Fred Katz