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Kawhi Leonard
FOR SPORTS – Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom (7) is pressured by San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (22) during second half action Thursday Jan. 5, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
SPORTS Kawhi Leonard jams a shot through in the first half as the Spurs play the Utah Jazz at the ATT Center on December 31, 2011 Tom Reel/Staff (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) gets fouled as he goes for a shot against the Golden State Warriors’ Charles Jenkins (22) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom (7) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during second half action Thursday Jan. 5, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Kawhi Leonard (2) of the San Antonio Spurs is fouled by Marc Gasol (33) of the Memphis Grizzlies during NBA action at the ATT Center on Monday, Dec. 26, 2011. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netMemphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard defends Memphis Grizzles’ Tony Allen during first half action Monday Dec. 26, 2011 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard shoots between Memphis Grizzles’ Rudy Gay (left) and Memphis Grizzles’ Jeremy Pargo as San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan looks on during second half action Monday Dec. 26, 2011 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 95-82. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Houston Rockets’ Samuel Dalembert (21) pulls down a rebound in front of San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)
SPORTS Kawhi Leonard shoots free throws in the first half as the Spurs play Sacramento at the ATT Center in San Antonio on January 20, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) clears out Portland Trailblazers’ LeMarcus Aldridge after stealing the ball from Aldridge in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) goes low for a shot against Portland Trailblazers’ LeMarcus Aldridge (12) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Spurs defeated the Trailblazers, 99-83. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom (7) is pressured by San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and San Antonio Spurs forward Tiago Splitter (22) during second half action Thursday Jan. 5, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) drives to the basket against Portland Trailblazers’ Marcus Camby (23) in the first half at the ATT Center on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard answers questions from the media Saturday June 25, 2011 at the Spurs practice facility. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard focuses on taking a shot as players for the San Antonio Spurs attend their first team practice on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard (center) tosses the ball to Danny Green (left) alongside DeJuan Blair (right) as players for the San Antonio Spurs attend their first team practice on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom (7) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during second half action Thursday Jan. 5, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) gets fouled as he goes for a shot against the Golden State Warriors’ Charles Jenkins (22) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
SPORTS Kawhi Leonard jams a shot through in the first half as the Spurs play the Utah Jazz at the ATT Center on December 31, 2011 Tom Reel/Staff (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Houston Rockets’ Samuel Dalembert (21) pulls down a rebound in front of San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (AP)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard shoots between Memphis Grizzles’ Rudy Gay (left) and Memphis Grizzles’ Jeremy Pargo as San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan looks on during second half action Monday Dec. 26, 2011 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 95-82. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard defends Memphis Grizzles’ Tony Allen during first half action Monday Dec. 26, 2011 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Kawhi Leonard (2) of the San Antonio Spurs is fouled by Marc Gasol (33) of the Memphis Grizzlies during NBA action at the ATT Center on Monday, Dec. 26, 2011. BILLY CALZADA / gcalzada@express-news.netMemphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard focuses on taking a shot as players for the San Antonio Spurs attend their first team practice on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard (center) tosses the ball to Danny Green (left) alongside DeJuan Blair (right) as players for the San Antonio Spurs attend their first team practice on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – The Spurs introduce players Kawhi Leonard (left) and Cory Joseph during a press conference Saturday June 25, 2011 at the Spurs practice facility. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard answers questions from the media Saturday June 25, 2011 at the Spurs practice facility. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/eaornelas@express-news.net) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) tries to maintain control of the ball as Houston Rockets’ Kevin Martin, left, pursues during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 105-102. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) (AP)
SPURS — San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard passes out to center DeJuan Blair, left, during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at the ATT Center, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. The Spurs won 105-83. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard gets blocked Atlanta Hawks Zaza Pachulia, right, as he was trying to defend Joe Johnson, during the first half at the ATT Center, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Nikola Pekovic (14), of Montenegro, shoots between San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, right, and Kawhi Leonard in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) (AP)
Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs (2) battles Luis Scola (4) and Samuel Dalembert of the Houston Rockets during NBA action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-NewsHouston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (San Antonio Express-News)
SPORTS Thunder forward kevin Durant is forced to pass by tough defensive applied by Kawhi Leonard as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder at the ATT Center on February 4, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay (22) shoots from the outside under pressure by San Antonio Spurs guard Kawhi Leonard (2) and San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, of France,(9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Jim Weber) (AP)
Spurs’ Tony Parker (second from right) kids around with teammate Kawhi Leonard (second from left) during their game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) dunks against the Charlotte Bobcats in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) contends for a rebound against Charlotte Bobcats’ Derrick Brown (04) in the second half at the ATT Center on Friday, Mar. 2, 2012. Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard goes for two over Charlotte’s Eduardo Najera during game action at the ATT Center on Friday, March 2, 2012. San Antonio won 102-72. MICHAEL MILLER / mmiller@express-news.net (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots ahead of teammate Tiago Splitter, of Brazil, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Sunday, March 4, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)
Denver’s Chris Andersen blocks a shot by Kawhi Leonard in the second half Spurs vs Nuggets, Sunday, March 4, 2012. The Nuggets beat the Spurs 99-94. (JENNIFER WHITNEY) (special to the Express-News)
SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard cuts the defense of New York Knicks Landry Fields, left, and J.R. Smith during the second half at the ATT Center, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The Spurs won 118-105. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard drives through New York Knicks J.R. Smith during the second half at the ATT Center, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The Spurs won 118-105. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
SPORTS Kawhi Leonard pumps a three pointer in the second half as the San Antonio Spurs host the Los Angeles Clippers at the ATT Center on March 9, 2012 Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) heads up court after stealing the ball from Washington Wizards shooting guard Nick Young (1) during a NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the San Antonio Spurs at the ATT Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 12, 2012.John Albright / Special to the Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) goes up for a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Derrick Williams (07) at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)
SPORTS Kawhi Leonard slips inside for a shot in the first half as the San Antonio Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
SPORTS Kawhi Leonard rolls in to score on a fast break against Jason Kidd as the San Antonio Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks at the ATT Center in San Antonio on March 23, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young (21) blocks out San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the ATT Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2012.John Albright / Special to the Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) puts up a shot during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the ATT Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2012.John Albright / Special to the Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) puts up a shot during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the ATT Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2012.John Albright / Special to the Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) puts up a shot during a NBA basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs at the ATT Center in San Antonio, Texas on March 25, 2012.John Albright / Special to the Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)
SPORTS Kawhi Leonard jams it in the face of Chris Kaman as the San Antonio Spurs play the New Orleans Hornets at the ATT Center on April 6, 2012. Tom Reel/ San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) attemps a shot against Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) in the first half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) defends against Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16) in the second half at the ATT Center on Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2012. Spurs lose to the Lakers, 84-98. Kin Man Hui/Express-News. (San Antonio Express-News)
FOR SPORTS – Memphis Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay grabs for a rebound over San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, DeJuan Blair, and Kawhi Leonard during first half action Thursday April 12, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 107-97. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Kawhi Leonard (2) of the San Antonio Spurs is fouled by Channing Frye (8) of the Phoenix Suns during NBA action at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Leonard made the shot and converted the ensuing free throw. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Tim Duncan (21) of the San Antonio Spurs congratulates teammate Kawhi Leonard (2) after Leonard scored while being fouled during first-half NBA action against the Phoenix Suns at the ATT Center on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard goes up for a dunk over Cleveland Cavaliers’ Antawn Jamison during second half action Sunday April 22, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 114-98. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard drives to the goal through Utah Jazz Josh Howard during the first half of game two of the Western Conference first round at the ATT Center, Sunday, May 2, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Utah Jazz’s Josh Howard (8) and Al Jefferson (25) defend during the first quarter of Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Wednesday, May 2, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (AP)
Kawhi Leonard (2) of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a successful three-point shot over Josh Howard of the Utah Jazz during NBA playoffs action at the ATT Center on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard drives to the basket around Utah Jazz Josh Howard during first half action of Game 2 of the Western Conference first round Wednesday May 2, 2012 at the ATT Center. The Spurs won 114-83. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard grabs a rebound from Utah Jazz Derrick Favors during the second half of game four in the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Monday, May 7, 2012. The Spurs won 87-81 and swept the series, 4-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
FOR SPORTS – Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard shoots overt Clippers’ Randy Foye during first half action of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Monday May 15, 2012 at the ATT Center. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, right, is defended by Los Angeles Clippers’ Kenyon Martin, left, during the third quarter of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal playoff series, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 108-92. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, left, and Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul, right, scramble for a loose ball during the first quarter of Game 1 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal playoff series,Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots as Los Angeles Clippers’ Randy Foye (4) defends during the first quarter of Game 1 of a NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal playoff series,Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (AP)
SPURS — San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard scrambles for the ball as Los Angeles Clippers Randy Foye, left, and Chris Paul surround him during game one of the Western Conference semifinals at ATT Center, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The Spurs won 108-92, to lead the series, 1-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Caron Butler (5) passes over San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) and San Antonio Spurs’ Boris Diaw (33) in the first half of game two of the Western Conference semifinals at the ATT Center on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) chases the ball against Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul (3) in the first half of game two of the Western Conference semifinals at the ATT Center on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) makes contact with San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) and San Antonio Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (22) in the second half of game two of the Western Conference semifinals at the ATT Center on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard (02) grabs the loose ball after a scramble with Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul (03) during the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) gets bloodied during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard (02) and Tim Duncan (21) cover Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul (03) during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Los Angeles Clippers Mo Williams (25) runs into San Antonio Spurs Danny Green (04) and Kawhi Leonard (02), during the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs Tim Duncan (21), Kawhi Leonard (02) and Boris Diaw (33) cover Los Angeles Clippers Blake Griffin (32) during a rebound in the second half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. Spurs defeated the Clippers, 96-86. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) drives around the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan (06) in the first half of game three of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) offers support to teammate Kawhi Leonard (02) after a play against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter during game four of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Sunday, May 20, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (02) goes for a reverse layup against the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin (32) and Chris Paul (03) in the first half of game four of the Western Conference semifinals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Kin Man Hui/Express-News (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)
Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, right, grabs a rebound away from San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, left, and forward Boris Diaw of France during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal, Sunday, May 20, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, right, Kawhi Leonard, left, and Boris Diaw, of France, react to a foul call on the Los Angeles Clippers as Clippers’ Blake Griffin, top right, watches during the second half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference semifinal in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 19, 2012. The Spurs won 96-86 for a 3-0 series lead. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook (0), Oklahoma City Thunder’s Derek Fisher (37) and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nick Collison (4) during the first half of game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, May 27, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots against San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) and San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas, Sunday, May 27, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) shoots past San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, May 27, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden (13) shoots over San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of Game 1 in their NBA basketball Western Conference finals playoff series, Sunday, May 27, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks on Oklahoma City Thunder’s Serge Ibaka (9) during the first half of game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, May 27, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) blocks a shot by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant during the first half of Game 2 in their NBA basketball Western Conference finals playoff series, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) slams the ball near San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker (9) talks to San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (35) is trapped between San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)
Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha, left, of Switzerland, blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first half of Game 2 in their NBA basketball Western Conference finals playoff series, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in San Antonio.(AP Photo/Eric Gay) (AP)
San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (21) and San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) meet with San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich during the second half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. (San Antonio Express-News)
Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard dunks the ball during the second half of game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The Spurs won 120-111. (San Antonio Express-News)
By Mike Monroe
LAS VEGAS — Unlike the amazing display of ball-handling by Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving, there was no video on YouTube leaked out of USA Basketball select team scrimmages against the United States Olympic squad showcasing Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard.
Irving’s full-speed spin move and crossover dribble of Kobe Bryant went viral, with hoops junkies worldwide viewing, over and over, mouths agape.
But a smaller, more important audience saw what Leonard could do against the star-laden Olympic team.
“You see Kawhi, but you don’t hear him,” Team USA assistant coach Nate McMillan and former Trail Blazers coach said after a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on the UNLV campus this week. “He’ll make the right play and he just moves on to the next play. Then, a few minutes later, he does it again.
“He’s opened a lot of eyes here this week.”
McMillan and the rest of the U.S. coaching staff discovered what the Spurs have known since the NBA lockout ended last December: Leonard is the Sphinx of the Spurs, a budding star willing to let his game talk without flashing even a hint of bravado.
Leonard’s approach to challenging Bryant, LeBron James and their London-bound friends has been typical of the NBA’s quiet man.
“I get to be around great players and just compete and get better,” he said. “I get to learn from the older guys. You don’t get this chance every year to compete with guys at such a talent level every day.”
Before he got to Las Vegas, identified as a potential future Olympian by USA Basketball, Leonard already had opened eyes in the Alamo City.
The Spurs had loved Leonard’s potential enough to send coach Gregg Popovich favorite George Hill to the Pacers to secure his draft rights a year ago. They never anticipated he would make 49.3 percent of his shots as a rookie, a figure that included shooting 37.6 percent from 3-point range. After all, he had made only 25 percent from the shorter line in college.
So when Leonard showed up for training camp in December with an NBA-ready jumper, the Spurs were amazed. On his own during the long lockout summer that bled into autumn, he diligently had applied a few pre-lockout lessons from Spurs shooting coach Chip Engelland.
The improvement was dramatic, even though the team shot doctor was forbidden to prescribe offseason reinforcement. Engelland was mightily impressed, as was Popovich.
“All we did for him was change his release point, make it simpler and more repeatable,” Engelland said. “Then he went and worked his tail off during the lockout.”
By continuing his improvement, day to day and game to game, Leonard became a starter and a first-team All-Rookie selection. And when the playoffs arrived and both his production and efficiency increased, Popovich understood general manager R.C. Buford and his staff had discovered another potential gem.
“He wasn’t awed by anything,” Popovich said. “He reminded me of Timmy (Duncan) in a way, where he came into the league and did his job, didn’t say boo to anybody, but he listens to anybody. He takes it in and then you see it translate onto the court.
“Whatever it is, he reacted better in his first year than anybody I’ve ever seen other than Tim. Coming out of school in just two years, he was incredible.”
Leonard’s development this summer, beginning with the week spent matching up daily against the likes of James, Bryant, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony, figures to produce an even bigger jump in his skill set and, more importantly, his belief that he belongs among the league’s elite.
“Whatever basketball he plays against NBA people is huge,” Popovich said. “(Team USA camp) is a motivating factor. Being there with Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski), the whole staff, the other players, just to feel like he belongs, so to speak, is huge for a guy like him. Then when he moves on to Summer League and things are focused on just him will be just as important. He’ll be a completely different player in some ways when he steps on court in November and we start playing games.
“We think the jump is going to be even more obvious than the surprise we saw his first season.”
Leonard headed back to San Antonio after the final practice session with the Olympians on Wednesday afternoon. He will be back in Sin City for Summer League when the Spurs play their first game on Sunday against the Hawks.
The emphasis in Summer League: Turning Leonard loose on the offensive end. He will be the Spurs’ go-to guy, running pick-and-roll plays by the dozens. Repetition is the key, and he will get plenty.
“You can drill it all day long, and we do,” Spurs assistant coach Chad Forcier said. “You can study it all day on film. But until you get out there and you’re going 100 miles an hour, that’s where the improvement is really going to come. We need to get some live reps on it.”
“I want to show the coaches I can make plays,” Leonard said. “Whether it’s dribbling the ball when I’m on the ball, just dribbling and coming off pick and rolls or in isolations, I want to show them that I can score the basketball and I don’t need help. I want to show them I don’t need to be just sitting in the corner, standing out there looking for somebody to play off me and give me a wide-open shot.”
Popovich can hardly contain his excitement for training camp.
“We’re wild with anticipation,” Popovich said. “We can’t wait to see what he’s going to be like next season.”
mikemonroe@express-news.net
Twitter: @Monroe_SA