How Athletic is Kawhi Leonard?

Pelly24 · Post #1 » by **Pelly24** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:15 am

He has amazing lateral quickness, is very strong, but he doesn't seem that fast or quick. He's got solid body control and quick reflexes.

How athletic is he? What's the closest comparison?

MARK_POPE · Post #2 » by **MARK_POPE** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:48 am

More athletic than Nikola Jokic and less athletic than Russell Westbrook

NoDopeOnSundays · Post #3 » by **NoDopeOnSundays** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:58 am

In terms of quickness and first step he looks like the quickest player in the league at his size (6'7 230) while being among the strongest, people only think of athleticism when it comes to jumping and sprinting though. He's like Kobe who was never the fastest, strongest or quickest player but was a great combination of all those things.

Also, he has the unique wingspan and reach of a PF/C which allows him to play much bigger than his height.

Dr Aki · Post #4 » by **Dr Aki** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:59 am

He's pretty athletic

Chessboxer · Post #5 » by **Chessboxer** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:07 am

pound for pound I think he might be the strongest guy in the league. Players just bounce off him

tdotrep2 · Post #6 » by **tdotrep2** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:10 am

pretty fast, pretty good hops, stronger than everyone else around his weight. If you count hands as athletic he has the best hands in the league

Atmanne · Post #7 » by **Atmanne** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:12 am

With his length, strength, and body control, he has more functional athleticism than a guy like Wiggins, who's faster and can jump higher.

hype_2004 · Post #8 » by **hype_2004** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:14 am

Leonard has above average athleticism, but want really sets him apart is his length(7'3 wingspan), Hand size 11 inches and strength(240 lbs of muscle).

clyde21 · Post #9 » by **clyde21** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:14 am

he's a good athlete but not necessarily very explosive or anything. just a good baseline of quickness, length and strength that when u combine it together it's a good athletic package.

hype_2004 · Post #10 » by **hype_2004** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:15 am

Chessboxer wrote:pound for pound I think he might be the strongest guy in the league. Players just bounce off him

He was 230 lbs whne he entered the league I'm pretty sure he somewhere north of 240 lbs but his core strength especially on his legs is what gives him his power.

Harcore Fenton Mun · Post #11 » by **Harcore Fenton Mun** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:26 am

He's basically waiving around boat paddles.

Cavsfansince84 · Post #12 » by **Cavsfansince84** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 3:30 am

hype_2004 wrote:
Chessboxer wrote:pound for pound I think he might be the strongest guy in the league. Players just bounce off him

He was 230 lbs whne he entered the league I'm pretty sure he somewhere north of 240 lbs but his core strength especially on his legs is what gives him his power.

The lower body is actually the key to LeBron's strength too and a big reason he can get to the rim so easily and fight through contact.

Pachinko_ · Post #13 » by **Pachinko_** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:01 am

In internet forum lingo athletic is code word for dunks a lot. Kawhi doesn't dunk a lot therefore he is not very athletic.

In the real world however Kawhi is a tremendous athlete.

TheGOATRises007 · Post #14 » by **TheGOATRises007** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:07 am

I think his athleticism has declined since his injury.

Harcore Fenton Mun · Post #15 » by **Harcore Fenton Mun** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:22 am

Eddy_JukeZ wrote:I think his athleticism has declined since his injury.

Nah, we just ask him to do different things.

We need him to score, spurs needed him to lock people down. That's OG's job.

He's beast mode on offence now.

Chinook · Post #16 » by **Chinook** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:29 am

About as athletic as DeJounte Murray. Athletic enough to do whatever he wants to on the court, but he's not a guy who's going to sprint past everyone or hang above the rim.

stilldropin20 · Post #17 » by **stilldropin20** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:54 am

great question!

On what will now be referred to as "The Luka standard" i would rate kawhi a +1.5L <(for long). so gianis would be a +2L and westbrook a +2S.

max = +2
min = -2
S = short
L = long

Upperclass · Post #18 » by **Upperclass** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 5:21 am

Kyrie, Arenas type athletes. More lateral and strong than vertical. But is unbelievable laterally. First step, stop n go.. strength.. and overall quickness is unmatched.

He's also listed at 6'6/6'7 but there's no chance he's taller than 6'4. In San Ant he was barely taller than Tony Parker and shorter than Ginobili. Dude is just impressive.

everdiso · Post #19 » by **everdiso** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:07 am

Upperclass wrote:Kyrie, Arenas type athletes. More lateral and strong than vertical. But is unbelievable laterally. First step, stop n go.. strength.. and overall quickness is unmatched.

He's also listed at 6'6/6'7 but there's no chance he's taller than 6'4. In San Ant he was barely taller than Tony Parker and shorter than Ginobili. Dude is just impressive.

AustinRiversGod · Post #20 » by **AustinRiversGod** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:08 am

Upperclass wrote:Kyrie, Arenas type athletes. More lateral and strong than vertical. But is unbelievable laterally. First step, stop n go.. strength.. and overall quickness is unmatched.

He's also listed at 6'6/6'7 but there's no chance he's taller than 6'4. In San Ant he was barely taller than Tony Parker and shorter than Ginobili. Dude is just impressive.

I'd say he's at least 4 inches taller than Parker here (listed as 6'2")

Looks at least an inch taller than Manu (listed as 6'6")