The Kawhi Leonard Bandwagon Thread

WhatsaTDot · Post #61 » by **WhatsaTDot** » Thu May 19, 2011 6:21 pm

"Pack the pain against the Raptors boys. Aint nothing falling from outside."

He also doesn't look 6'7.

Pooh_Jeter · Post #62 » by **Pooh_Jeter** » Thu May 19, 2011 7:05 pm

We were a terrible 3 point shooting team this season too. If we were one SF away from being a contender this would be a problem. Leonard addresses more problems than he creates.

WhatsaTDot · Post #63 » by **WhatsaTDot** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:56 pm

Well if we consider Leonard as being part of the puzzle were consigning ourselves to two very poor 3 point shooters.

I agree that we do need some of the other things that he might bring but I would probably then prefer Singleton and trading down to get him.

bboyskinnylegs · Post #64 » by **bboyskinnylegs** » Thu May 19, 2011 11:59 pm

If we want a SF, I'd rather try to trade the pick for Batum, Portland could be interested in Knight/Walker.

Post #65 » by **JYD** » Fri May 20, 2011 12:00 am

Looking at his workout video on DX, his handles look pretty bad. Like it's gonna take a long time to even get it respectable. And his shooting is supposedly improving, but he has a pretty slow, deliberate release on his shot.

In the end I think realistically he's not worthy of our pick. He may be very athletic, a multi-faceted defender, and an excellent rebounder for his size, but aside from fast breaks I'm not sure how he's gonna score much.

I like the idea of adding a role player like him, but obviously not with a high lotto pick.

[SJJ] · Post #66 » by **[SJJ]** » Fri May 20, 2011 12:27 am

I like the guy but he's not what we need. He defends and rebounds well but we have those same qualities in JJ. I'd rather we take one of Val or BB or the two pg's.

Kevin Willis · Post #67 » by **Kevin Willis** » Sat May 21, 2011 2:52 am

Interest in Leonard dropped and I thought he would really show here. Seems like the Knight/Walker/Vesely bandwagon got bigger.

Pooh_Jeter · Post #68 » by **Pooh_Jeter** » Sat May 21, 2011 4:37 am

Until the workouts start up and we hear how he does not much to add to the conversation. The measurements didn't hurt or raise his stock.

People who want us to draft him see him as at the very least a defensive stopper who has excellent role player potential. A James Johnson type. But, they also believe his ceiling is a lot higher than most expect. For myself, I think he will continue to develop his jumpshot and handle and he will be a longterm starter at the 3.

Those against drafting him think he is a safe pick who while isn't likely to be a bust, his ceiling is likely limited to a role player. Also, they don't believe he is a good fit with DD. At the moment they are right about that, but I personally believe as both develop they could be a solid combo at the 2 and 3.

For me if Knight is available, I'd take him, but after that between Kemba and Leonard it's a toss up.

BryceMaxJames · Post #69 » by **BryceMaxJames** » Sat May 21, 2011 5:36 am

This guy doesn't make the 5th pick look so bad after all. We should him or walker, Lenard would be my first pick. Bye Sonny

Jonn · Post #70 » by **Jonn** » Sat May 21, 2011 6:26 am

I like Leonard but not at 5. It's just not going to work out.

WhatsaTDot · Post #71 » by **WhatsaTDot** » Sat May 21, 2011 8:24 am

Pooh_Jeter wrote:The measurements didn't hurt or raise his stock.

I read there was disappointment about his measurements. Maybe I'm wrong.

J Dilla · Post #72 » by **J Dilla** » Sun May 22, 2011 5:07 am

6'6 Without shoes, 6'7 with shoes, 7'3 wingspan, 8'10 standing reach, 9.8 inches hand length, 11.3 inches hand width

Post #73 » by **FluLikeSymptoms** » Sun May 22, 2011 5:22 am

J Dilla wrote:6'6 Without shoes, 6'7 with shoes, 7'3 wingspan, 8'10 standing reach, 9.8 inches hand length, 11.3 inches hand width

These measurements sealed it for me. 6'6 barefoot is a great height to still be able to move well laterally and the 7'3 wingspan makes him that much wider. 8'10 reach to contest. Physically, at least, he could guard 3 positions for spells. We haven't had somebody like that since Garbo. The hands are massive, even NBA players are not going to rip it from him.

J Dilla · Post #74 » by **J Dilla** » Sun May 22, 2011 5:39 am

FluLikeSymptoms wrote:
J Dilla wrote:6'6 Without shoes, 6'7 with shoes, 7'3 wingspan, 8'10 standing reach, 9.8 inches hand length, 11.3 inches hand width

These measurements sealed it for me. 6'6 barefoot is a great height to still be able to move well laterally and the 7'3 wingspan makes him that much wider. 8'10 reach to contest. Physically, at least, he could guard 3 positions for spells. We haven't had somebody like that since Garbo. The hands are massive, even NBA players are not going to rip it from him.

Yeah, it will be a big help defensively.

The immediate reaction to those numbers? Versatile defender. Leonard is a physical specimen, one of the most intriguing in this draft class. His ability to defend multiple positions is part of the reason why scouts like him and the fact that he is both taller and longer than Blair and Maxiell at least forces one to entertain the idea that as he matures physically (only 20-years-old) and gets stronger, he will be able to guard any position from the two to the four.

This also will help him initially at the offensive end. We know Leonard ultimately projects out as a small forward, but his skill set is quite raw right now and will take time to develop. That wingspan will help him initially on the offensive glass and finishing against bigger players in the paint as he progresses to being a more full-time perimeter player.

Just for the sake of comparison - or lack there of - according to the tremendous measurement database at DraftExpress, Leonard has the longest wingspan of any player 6-foot-7 or shorter in sneakers since the site began tracking this data. Don't think that isn't going to win him some major points. The closest comparison overall though from a physical standpoint? Stephane Lasme who was a second round selection of the Warriors in 2007 and most recently was in the Celtics system, measured at 6-foot-7 in sneakers as well with a wingspan one inch shorter than Leonards.

J Dilla · Post #75 » by **J Dilla** » Mon May 23, 2011 8:11 pm

With a wingspan some 9 inches longer than he is tall at 6-6, Leonard has one of the most unique physical profiles in this class. His hands, as expected, are absolutely gigantic, ranking him amongst 7'0 foot centers in terms of hand width and length. His 7-3 wingspan is amongst the largest ever for a player 6-6 or under. Leonard's 227-pound frame actually weights in heavier than many of the power forwards in this class, which only adds to sentiments that he'll be able to guard the power forward position for stretches at the next level.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Ana ... z1NCyU8U00
http://www.draftexpress.com

I'm probably more sold on Kawhi than Knight or Walker.

Katz with Leonard

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmW8Jz85Ous[/youtube]

fredericklove · Post #76 » by **fredericklove** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:37 pm

There's more SF next draft and they are all pretty darn good, no need to draft this guy.

McFurious1 · Post #77 » by **McFurious1** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:47 pm

Kawhi is going to be our pick. That is my prediction.

McFurious1 · Post #78 » by **McFurious1** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:49 pm

defense, rebounding, 3pt shooting, slashing, an athlete... I'm ok with this pick.

AkelaLoneWolf · Post #79 » by **AkelaLoneWolf** » Mon May 23, 2011 9:51 pm

McFurious1 wrote:defense, rebounding, 3pt shooting, slashing, an athlete... I'm ok with this pick.

Sans shooting, we already have this in James Johnson and I'm pretty sure he can become a decent shooter with enough practice.

McFurious1 · Post #80 » by **McFurious1** » Mon May 23, 2011 10:16 pm

AkelaLoneWolf wrote:
McFurious1 wrote:defense, rebounding, 3pt shooting, slashing, an athlete... I'm ok with this pick.

Sans shooting, we already have this in James Johnson and I'm pretty sure he can become a decent shooter with enough practice.

Johnson is still a work improgress and might be better served as a 6th man ala Odom.

I think Leonard is a better athlete than Johnson.