The Island of Kawhi

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Nolan
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The Island of Kawhi 

Post#1 » by Nolan » Wed Mar 16, 2016 12:23 am

Don't know if you guys have checked out this profile on Kawhi that SI did but it's really really good. Link's below for anyone interested.

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/03/15/kawhi-leonard-spurs-tim-duncan-gregg-popovich-tony-parker-manu-ginobili

And a few exerts to hook ya:

A lot has changed for Leonard since that conversation with Pop—he was named Finals MVP in 2014, captured Defensive Player of the Year in '15 and this season seized the unofficial title of best two-way player in the NBA—but a lot hasn't. Leonard spends his summers in a two-bedroom apartment in San Diego, where he hangs a mini hoop over one door so he can play 21 against Castleberry. He carries a basketball in his backpack even when he isn't going to the gym. He often drives a rehabbed '97 Chevy Tahoe, nicknamed Gas Guzzler, which he drove across Southern California's Inland Empire as a teenager. "It runs," Leonard explains, "and it's paid off."

He is the only star still rocking cornrows, an outdated tribute to Carmelo Anthony, and he shrugs when friends claim he'd expand his endorsement portfolio if he shaved the braids. He is happy to sponsor Wingstop, which sends him coupons for free wings, so he can feed his Mango Habanero addiction. This winter, after his $94 million contract kicked in, he panicked when he lost his coupons. Wingstop generously replenished his supply.


Great read.
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Re: The Island of Kawhi 

Post#2 » by Phreak50 » Wed Mar 16, 2016 8:13 am

Read that today at work (the joys of an office job). Really good read indeed.

Such a humble, hard working and likeable guy. No wonder the Spurs chased him.
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Re: The Island of Kawhi 

Post#3 » by mikejames23 » Fri Mar 18, 2016 4:51 am

The Spurs trademark. Class and Humility. Love it.
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Re: The Island of Kawhi 

Post#4 » by madmaxmedia » Fri Jun 17, 2016 8:33 pm

This is a great observation, not just about Kawhi but about athletes in general:

He is the rare professional athlete who distinguishes between greatness and stardom. "He wants the greatness badly," Popovich says. "He doesn't give a damn about the stardom."


I always bring up Kawhi when people talk about needing to break up the Clipper core, or any other team not able to get over the hump. You guys were able to parley a #26 pick into the new face of your franchise, that is how you do it. And you got a great guy overall as well.

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