Calling the Spurs underrated has almost become a cliche in the modern NBA, and it’s that time of the year where people realize that -- woah! They’re actually one of the best teams in the NBA! The boys in San Antonio have managed to fly under the radar amongst the hype of the Warriors and Rockets and, as of today, are sitting just 2.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors and the 1-seed at a 53-16 record.
For the better part of the past two decades, San Antonio has been a team comprised of down-to-earth stars that don’t do much besides play smart and cohesive basketball. As famously said, “The only things guaranteed in life are death, taxes, and the Spurs winning 50 games.” They have masterfully drafted stars that fit perfectly into their team-first system for the better part of the past two decades. The legendary future HOFer Tim Duncan was taken 1st overall in 1997, Manu Ginobili was scooped up in the 1999 draft with the 58th overall pick, Tony Parker a gem found at the very end of the 1st-round (28th overall), and most recently: Kawhi Leonard was made the 15th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft out of San Diego State University. Now the 2-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year and darkhorse MVP candidate, Leonard and the Spurs are on track to replicate the success that has become a commonplace in their organization, and are the West’s best chance to usurp the Warriors.
In a year many thought the Spurs were going to regress due to the retirement of NBA legend Tim Duncan after 19 seasons, they’ve actually had one of their best regular seasons in recent history. Per usual, the front office was brilliant in preparing for the future. Luring LaMarcus Aldridge from the Blazers last year, and veteran Pau Gasol from Chicago this offseason has solidified their front line with two very intelligent big men that are willing to sacrifice their gaudy individual numbers (Aldridge went from 23.4PPG in '14-'15 with Portland to 17.4PPG with SA, and Gasol from 16.5PPG last year to 12.2PPG today) for a chance to play with one of the most successful basketball organizations of all time, one that has clinched a playoff berth in an NBA-record 20 consecutive seasons.
While Aldridge and Gasol are excellent pieces, they are both getting older, and aren't exactly the alpha-dog type anymore. The Spurs needed a new leader sans-Duncan, and they didn't have to look very far to get it. There was one clear choice: Kawhi Leonard. Leonard was drafted by the Spurs in the middle of the first-round, a pick they acquired from Indiana for point guard George Hill, a ballsy move at the time. Leonard spent 2 collegiate seasons at San Diego State, where he averaged 15.5 points and 10.6 boards in his sophomore year, but shot just 29.1% from 3 and 44.4% from the field. However, the Spurs organization saw something in him, a potential large enough for them to climb the draft board to capture. In just his 3rd season he won the hearts of NBA fans by being awarded the 2014 NBA Finals MVP for his efforts in defeating the villainous Miami Heat and their Big 3. He's shown extraordinary improvement in his 6 seasons in the association, averaging just 7.9PPG as a rookie and is now an absolute force of nature in today’s NBA. He embodies the very essence of a lockdown defender, seemingly crafted by the basketball gods themselves. He currently ranks 7th in the NBA with 1.8 steals per game, and adds 0.7 blocks per game to the table as well. His defense and anticipation are so good that other teams have actually changed their offensive gameplan to keep him as far away from the ball handler as humanly possible. (see Kawhisland)
While we could’ve possibly seen the Klaw’s incredible defensive ability as a prospect, (check out these hands) I don’t think anyone saw the offensive explosion coming. After averaging just 14.1PPG in 2 college seasons, Leonard has become one of the most dynamic and aggressive scorers in the NBA. He is currently sitting at a 48.3/38.3/89.4 shooting slash while putting up 26.0 points per game. He's also getting to the line 7.6 times per game, 3.0 times more than his previous career-high from last year, a testament to how aggressive he has been with the ball. Take a look at the highlights from his most recent career-high that came against Lebron James in an OT win against the Cavs. Cool, calm, and collected as he plays arguably the best game of his entire career. Almost every NBA superstar has had one commonality, and that’s the ability to get to the line. Jordan had a career average of 8.2 FTA per game, Lebron has a career average of 8.3 FTA per game. His scoring average has steadily increased in each of his 6 seasons, and is now possesses a polished offensive arsenal.
It would be a treat to see the Spurs make a deep run in the playoffs, and they are poised to do exactly that. The finals are a place where NBA fans have already seen Leonard thrive, even in a year where he averaged just 12.8PPG in the regular season. Imagine this year in the finals, seeing a new version of NBA Finals Kawhi emerge, a Kawhi that's averaging 26.0PPG during the regular season, more talented and confident than ever before.
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