Would Leonard have developed on the Wizards?

[colts18]

If the Wizards took Kawhi Leonard or even Kenneth Faried in the 2011 draft, do you think they would have broke out on the Wizards? Personally, I think if Leonard and vesely switched places, there is a chance that Vesely would have been the better player. I'm not really confident that the Wizards can develop young players since they haven't done it in years. Who was the last young player to break out here in Washington?

[Error Afflalo]

I don't think Leonard would be as good here, but I don't think Vesely would be the better player if SA had drafted him either. I'd certainly have more faith in the Spurs' ability to turn him into a contributor, though.

[queridiculo]

Creating an environment that's conducive to winning is crucial, but ultimately I don't believe that there is a holy grail of player development.

Players either have the burning desire to be the best they can be, or they don't, I don't think there's much of a middle ground.

[FAH1223]

Leonard is a workaholic. That kid literally lives in the gym, is silent, and works on his game.

Pop on Kawhi Leonard's confidence: "Kawhi has never spoken to me so I don't really know what his confidence is."

When he worked out here in DC at Verizon everyone remarked on how much better his shot was compared to his percentages. Some doubted if it would translate into games... But looking back, that was a trend developing.

I hate Ernie.

[WizarDynasty]

no. popovich's system improves players basketball iq and he has a military style background built into the San Antonio culture that he has honed for close to two decades. Popovich knows how to tear down a man and rebuild him from his military days transforming clueless civilians into combat ready soldiers for extreme conditions of an actual battle field. He knows the types of personality that he can rebuild and he brings them in and he knows the raw physical attributes they need to have before they come to Spurs.
the only thing we have insights from Newman on how to duplicate it.
Leonard wouldn't be as bad as Vesely but his basketball iq would be very very low.

[dangermouse]

Leonard is a workaholic. That kid literally lives in the gym, is silent, and works on his game.

Pop on Kawhi Leonard's confidence: "Kawhi has never spoken to me so I don't really know what his confidence is."

When he worked out here in DC at Verizon everyone remarked on how much better his shot was compared to his percentages. Some doubted if it would translate into games... But looking back, that was a trend developing.

I hate Ernie.

This.

It was reported before he was working out for teams that he was working on his jumper. The video that was posted of him shooting during a workout, his form looked good, no need to tweak anything. It was obvious he had the work ethic necessary, and the smarts, to develop without too much in the way of outside help.

He would have been fine here regardless of the Wizards track record of developing players. Guaranteed.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

no. popovich's system improves players basketball iq and he has a military style background built into the San Antonio culture that he has honed for close to two decades. Popovich knows how to tear down a man and rebuild him from his military days transforming clueless civilians into combat ready soldiers for extreme conditions of an actual battle field. He knows the types of personality that he can rebuild and he brings them in and he knows the raw physical attributes they need to have before they come to Spurs.
the only thing we have insights from Newman on how to duplicate it.
Leonard wouldn't be as bad as Vesely but his basketball iq would be very very low.

Agreed.

I am not fluent in Russian like Popovich, but I also have been a commissioned military service member. I wasn't on an armed forces team. I did recently speak with a 6'10" soldier about continuing to pursue his hoops dream in 2015, once he returns from Afghanistan and fulfills his service commitment. I gave the young soldier similar advice that I would give Vesely, if I met Jan. (

Continue to develop your skill. The young man I met is 24. I told him God knows but we need to have faith and believe in Him and dreams can be achieved. (This fellow shares the same faith, but if you do not I respect that and don't expect you to change.) I learned more about him and asked him to web search Bernard James. You never know ... this guy might not do the same some day. Even if he plays in a lesser club level team or the D-League he succeeds as far as I am concerned.

The Wizards had problems because they didn't mentor very well. Kawhi Leonard IMO would have been expected to have what the Wizards wanted and to produce what they requested--or else. He either would have arrived playing like a veteran or he would have watched Ariza and Webster play.

Leonard the Wizard would not be what he is with the more supportive, highly professional, family-oriented Spurs system.

The military does allow leadership, even from officers, if the individual can not first follow. But there are standard operational procedures, regulations, technical manuals with step-by-step guidelines. There are protocols. A lot of structure has been applied because war-fighting is evolutionary and service members must be equipped with the latest and greatest.

Coach K went to West Point. Coach Pop went to the AF Academy. From whence they hail certainly aided in the way they run their programs.

Guys like Kawhi and Battier thrive and improve under their coaching.

[truwizfan4evr]

If we had drafted Leonard there would be no Beal.

[closg00]

If we had drafted Leonard there would be no Beal.

Yeah, perhaps we would have Drummond

[mhd]

Leonard would have been fine. He wouldn't waste away like Vesely is. If you are willing to work, then you will be successful.

[Dat2U]

Leonard wouldn't be considered a future star if he was on the Wizards.

I don't even think he's a future star myself. I've seen him as a deluxe role player. Maybe a step below Shawn Marion in his prime.

Knowing his work ethic, he'd have been solid on the Wizards. Don't know if his shooting would have been as good either but he's light years better than Vesely will ever be.

[nate33]

If Beal is developing on the Wizards, why wouldn't Leonard have?

[pancakes3]

Just as not every successful person graduates from the Ivy League, not every successful player gets developed by the Spurs. The cream rises. I don't think we should rationalize draft position with personnel development.

[Kanyewest]

Leonard wouldn't be considered a future star if he was on the Wizards.

I don't even think he's a future star myself. I've seen him as a deluxe role player. Maybe a step below Shawn Marion in his prime.

Knowing his work ethic, he'd have been solid on the Wizards. Don't know if his shooting would have been as good either but he's light years better than Vesely will ever be.

Yup, he's miles ahead Vesley. But certainly not a stud at this point, it's good for him that he's on a team where he is the 3rd or 4th option and whose team is one of the best at executing its half court offense.

I think Leonard would have developed about the same with the Wizards but his value would be lower on the Wizards vs. the Spurs because he has gotten more exposure playing on a NBA finals team not to mention that he plays on a good team which executes well and doesn't have to force a lot of bad shots. Plus his team is deep enough that his coach doesn't have to play heavy minutes. I agree though that no one would see him as a future star if he was on the Wizards.

Although you could make the case that his open looks and good team play have lead to him having more confidence. But even so he still would have been a solid rotational player and have a good chance to be starting on the Wizards (I doubt that both the Okafor/Ariza and the Martell Webster signing would have happened if the Wizards would have drafted Leonard).

[Dark Faze]

He'd probably put up similar numbers. The kid is a natural rebounder and defender, the only question is if his shooting would have been as sharp here. He wouldn't look quite as good because when all you have to do is play an intangibles role with Tony, Manu and Duncan on the court then life is a lot easier, but he'd be a similar player for us I'm sure.

[Higga]

He'd basically be Trevor Booker if he were on the Wiz.

We don't have the coaching or the culture of winning and development that the Spurs have. That stuff matters.

[Severn Hoos]

I thought about writing a lengthy and witty post, complete with proper punctuation, paragraphs, spacing, and historical data. And in the end, the whole answer could be entirely conveyed by the following:


No.