The Kawhi Leonard Bandwagon Thread

[yayotube]

You have to give him credit for working on his shot release. It wasn't pretty before but it really looks revamped. That Kyler tweet about him and Toronto mutually liking each other + him being a gym rat + that DeMar commercial with the depressing music on Raptors TV have me thinking he could very well be our guy if the top 4 picks don't do us any favours.

[Undefeated]

His shooting stroke doesn't concern me as much as he tested as a average or below average athlete at the combine. The comparisons to Marion to Wallace are dead because of that. Marion is one of the greatest athletes in the history of the NBA and Wallace is no slouch. Leonard tested closer to Shane Battier or Trevor Ariza athletically.

There were speculation that Kawhi Leonard didn't have enough time to go through an extensive warm-up before the combine. What's more important is how well his athleticism translates to in game situations, and he's shown at least in college to play with quality athleticism.

[JamesNaismith]

Do not want poor man's Gerald Wallace ESPECIALLY considering how many great SF prospects there are in next year's draft.......NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[drew_28]

Do not want poor man's Gerald Wallace ESPECIALLY considering how many great SF prospects there are in next year's draft.......NEXT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so you'd rather have a poor man's Bayless in Kemba?

Knight
Leonard
Trade for Jennings.

[BlackIce]

Val or Kanter. One will drop.

[ty123]

I'm not sure about his jumpshot. A lot of guys with hands that big haven't improved their jumpers.

[yayotube]

I dont give a s*** about next year's SF's. So many unknowns regarding a draft 12 months ahead. Look what happened this year. How do you know those "great SF's" won't go back to school? or we won't be another treadmill team (sadly) in a years time and be out of range? What if the world ends before next years draft? Would you have not picked Ed Davis last year because OMG I WANT JARRED SULLINGER NEXT YEAR DO NOT WANT ED DAVIS? Choose BPA, acquire assets, and STFU

[Pooh_Jeter]

Leonard isn't an elite athlete. He is more smooth than explosive. That doesn't take away from the fact that he is an elite rebounder for his position and has the potential to be a shutdown defender. If you want elite athleticism maybe we should sign Joe Alexander.

The whole "We already have James Johnson" or "Next year has plenty of SF's" is a BS excuse. It's one thing if you don't think he is the best talent available at 5, but not to take him when we are in no position to take a player based on need is stupid. Assuming Leonard isn't a colossal bust, worst case scenario is that you have a very nice trade piece if you suddenly have a glut at SF after next years draft.

[Kevin Willis]

I dont give a s*** about next year's SF's. So many unknowns regarding a draft 12 months ahead. Look what happened this year. How do you know those "great SF's" won't go back to school? or we won't be another treadmill team (sadly) in a years time and be out of range? What if the world ends before next years draft? Would you have not picked Ed Davis last year because OMG I WANT JARRED SULLINGER NEXT YEAR DO NOT WANT ED DAVIS? Choose BPA, acquire assets, and STFU

Plus with the new CBA players may be required to stay 2 years. That would hurt the SF crop as well. Have to take BPA and let the chips fall where they may.

[Cool-Hand-Luke]

His shot still looks a little mechanical to me. And I'd have to assume that doesn't translate well into games. He does however, if he is as good a defender as people say, remind me of Ron Artest. If he can get a solid 3 down, he'd actually be quite usefull on this team. With that in mind, it is still not enough of a reason to pick him over BKnight, Kanter or Valenciunas.

[basketball royalty]

Intriguing for sure, he looks to actually have great defensive instincts and the ability to be a lock down one on one defender. That being said, I don't think he will be the BPA at 5.

[bonjovi0308]

Based on Skinny P's insider tipping, maybe I should push this thread up front...

I'm worried Leonard's jump shooting is even worse than James Johnson's.

[oomalay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8FKTYuKUuI

Sports Science goes over Kawhi Leonard's shooting mechanics

[Blazing_royale]

i hope we don't draft this guy.

[J Dilla]

He's worked a lot on his shot. I would love to have him in Toronto.

[Pooh_Jeter]

If Knight falls to us we have to take him, but I'd still love Kawhi. If he does fall into the late lottery I'd love to grab him.

He is a lot like Demar, he has the physical tools and an incredible work ethic to work on his weaknesses. He doesn't seem to have the Joey Graham basketball IQ either.