Day 197

Fresh Start_197: The Claw of Alamo City
Well, Kawhi and the Spurs have us watching now. After a narrow 112-110 win last night in San Antonio against Houston, Kawhi Leonard is making his best case for the MVP. Leonard is having a real quite great season. Leonard is averaging 26-6-3 on the best team in the West at the moment. The Spurs might be able to “steal” the 1st spot in the Conference in wake of the Kevin Durant injury and Leonard will be the fuel of that oiled machine.

Even if his coach, the great Greg Popovich doesn’t think he is anything special he is. What Leonard is doing right now can only be compared to what Harden and Westbrook are doing, and well those two are the two being considered for the MVP of the league. Last night against Harden and the Rockets Leonard had the game of the year on both ends of the floor. Leonard tied a game high with 39 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks—including the game saving block against Harden with 18 seconds left on the clock. Leonard also hit the game clinching free throws at the end of the game. The final seconds of that game last night were the closest thing you will get to a playoff game at this time of year. Harden also had 39 points (18 in the 1st quarter), 3 rebounds, and 12 assists.

However, even with Harden’s great performance, and the relentless fire of one Russell Westbrook, Leonard is a different kind of special. There is no other player that brings it Leonard on each of the floor. Even Lebron takes nights off on the defensive side of the floor—not Leonard. With Leonard’s incredible focus on both sides of the court it makes him a matchup nightmare every night. Leonard was guarding Harden for most of the game (excluding the 1st) and he did a decent job, highlighted by the block.

San Antonio has been the New England of the NBA with the level of consistency that they have showcased for two decades. Leonard is just the newest star of the Popovich dynasty in San Antonio. With all of that, the Spurs fly under the radar almost every year because of where they are located. The Spurs put up incredible numbers and have had players in the past like Robinson, Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. It is too early to add Leonard to that group, but he should be considered one of the best 5 players in the league. What Leonard should also get is the Super Star treatment that he has earned at this point. If you don’t believe me—the NBA drug tested Leonard after the game last night to see if he was juicing. Leonard after last night game tied a Spurs record for most consecutive games with 35 points and 5 rebounds. So, if the Spurs wanted respect, you can thank Kawhi Leonard for that after last night’s performance. And Golden State, look out!
Sources:(espn.com, nba.com)

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