VIDEO: Kawhi Leonard Credits Spurs' Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker for His Calm Demeanor
By Jerry Trotta
Folks, we might have finally zeroed in on the source of Kawhi Leonard's abnormally cool and composed disposition. As we know, Kawhi spent seven season with the San Antonio Spurs before being traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2018. Despite the hard-pressed, forgettable manner in which Leonard departed, however, the three-time All-Star just wouldn't be the player he is today without the mentoring of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. And the always self-aware Kawhi took the time to credit the Spurs' greatest trio of players in his press conference ahead of Game 2 of the Finals on Sunday night. Check it out:
"Just going through that whole season, just coming in as a rookie," Leonard said. "Probably helped me just guard the best player every night. Learning from the great teammates I had then from Tim, Tony and Manu. Just seeing how they approach the game, every game."
Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili helped San Antonio capture four NBA titles, and Leonard was a part of the most recent back in 2014, when the Spurs upset the Miami Heat.
It was that season where Kawhi became a household name in the Association, as he went on to the win the Finals MVP.
It goes without saying that Leonard had an ugly falling out with the Spurs front office, and the city of San Antonio may still not yet forgive him, but the two-time Defensive Player of the Year would be remiss if he didn't credit the three legends that paved the way for his unlikely jump to superstardom.