Kawhi Leonard. NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP in 2014. Finished Third in Most Valuable Player voting in 2016-17. 3x NBA All-Star. 2x All-NBA First Team. 2x Defensive Player of the Year. 3x All-Defensive First Team. 2014 All-Defensive Second Team. It should be no surprise to say that as a young man growing up in Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard watched and admired Kobe Bryant, and you can see that influence firmly entrenched in his basketball DNA. Kobe talked during his farewell season (2015-16) about how Gregg Popovich, Kawhi’s former coach, asked him to keep tabs on the 2x DPOY winner.
"After the game we talked about Kawhi a little bit," Kobe said. "[Popovich] wanted me to stay in his ear a little bit and talk to him a little bit. I definitely, definitely, definitely will. I think he has a tremendous amount of potential and he's only going to get better. So if I can help him out in that regard, I most certainly will."
Kawhi and his fadeaway and how he manages end of clock and quarter situations scream “KOBE” to me. I can’t NOT see the resemblance between the two players and I believe that if you spent as much time watching Kawhi as I do, you’ll notice not just the offensive repertoire, but the impact he makes on both ends whenever he laces em up. I think it is really stupid for anyone to have said that this man was ever just a system player. He’s a sight to behold and a wonder to watch.
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Also, this seems crazy to have to say because for better OR WORSE, I’ve been a lifelong Bulls fan and there’s no debate for me that MJ is the GOAT, but I guess it does have to be acknowledged that I recognize Kobe stole this from Jordan, and everyone who subsequently borrowed from Kobe are taking from his Airness...but that’s how basketball works. The game evolves in exactly that way.
*All clips from before All-Star break.
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