Is Kawhi currently more important than Manu to the Spurs?

[co_laper]

The question is the title.

I'm just really surprised with Kawhi's play these last two months. 15 points, 6 rebounds, nearly 2 assists and 2 steals in 33 minutes. He's currently our defensive stopper. He's been scoring too.

Manu, on the other hand, has been injured a lot and inconsistent. He's been somewhat reckless too. When you watch the games and you see us making turnovers and the opponent are getting fastbreak dunks, you won't have to guess whether Manu has a part in that. At the same time, Manu (when his passes aren't deflected) can totally change the game and blow it wide open. But so far this season, that hasn't happen much.

So, judging simply by this season... Do you think Kawhi is more important than Manu? I feel like he is. I'll credit Duncan's resurgance on the defensive end along with Kawhi's defensive work on the perimeter as the biggest reason we're better defensively.

If I was to rank our 4 best players so far this season, it'd go Parker, Duncan, Kawhi, Manu.

[Nolan]

Based on this season alone its clearly Kawhi. Manu's been injured all year and over the last couple months Kawhi's really stepped his game up on both ends.

[Donald Kaufman]

Definitely Kawhi, this year at least. I'm still waiting for the real Manu to stand up, and although there've been flashes of his old self, that consistency hasn't been there. We obviously need his greatness for a long playoff run, so I'm hoping he works it out.

[UDRIH14]

Manu atm is a liability to the spurs, his too injury prone at the wrong end of the season heading into the playoffs, seems like he hasnt found that shooting touch either, his been struggling as of late....

[Donald Kaufman]

I assume this is a joke. Manu is not a liability if he's healthy. I don't know too many assets on the IR list. We clearly need his ball movement, his bball IQ, his experience. We're a better team with a healthy Manu.