What is it with the Spurs? Era after era, that Greg Popovich-run factory in San Antonio churns out players who are not just seriously good, but extremely likeable.
Okay, so Manu Ginobili is a little too fond of flopping.
But it’s the exception that makes the rule, right?
It started with David Robinson, the NBA Hall of Famer whose name adorns a plaque given to current players in recognition of their efforts in reaching out to the community.
Then came Tim Duncan, as humble a superstar as there ever was. Touted by some as the greatest power forward in league history, Duncan has never been one to seek the limelight; his most memorable misdemeanour was the result of having a giggle on the sideline.
Now the torch has been passed to Kawhi Leonard. Where Duncan was humble, Leonard is just plain unassuming. He wasn’t meant to be a star player, let alone an MVP candidate.
Leonard was selected with the 15th pick in the 2011 Draft by the Indiana Pacers. A trade with the Spurs for George Hill quickly followed, but it wasn’t a move anyone in the Spurs was particularly sold on.
“We were all looking at each other like, ‘Are we really going to do this?’ We were scared shitless,” Popovich recalled. “We don’t know this kid. He’s not a shooter. He’s not a scorer. He’s not a perimeter player. He’s a big guy who can rebound.”
In hindsight, those words seem foolish. But at the time, they were the truth. Leonard shot just 25 per cent from the three point line in college. He scored at a decent clip – 14 points per game – but not at a rate to indicate superstardom would ensue.
But, after going to a franchise that is a constant championship contender, Leonard hit the gym, getting in as much practice as possible, sometimes too much for his own good.
“I’ll say, ‘We’ve got a game tonight’ or ‘Hey, he’s been here long enough. Get him the hell out of here.’ Then, he’ll leave,” says Popovich.
“It’s a you’ve-got-to-kick-him-out-of-the-gym sort of thing. And then you see it carry over into the games. When something doesn’t work, it bothers him, and he goes back to work on it the next day. That’s work ethic.”
That work ethic has paid handsome dividends.
Leonard became the third-youngest Finals MVP in NBA history by shutting down LeBron James and helping the Spurs to a championship in 2014. He shot over 40 per cent from deep this season, and won his second-straight defensive player of the year award, something unheard of for a wing defender.
But despite the success, Leonard has, in keeping with being a San Antonio Spur, hardly changed a bit. He recently signed a $94.3 million contract, but still owns a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. This in a world where Jahlil Okafor, one of this year’s high-profile rookies, was clocked driving 108 miles per hour in a 45 zone.
Leonard’s old Chevy is probably incapable of reaching 100. Not that he’d ever want to.
Then there’s the sponsorships. Leonard has a shoe deal with Brand Jordan, but he’s not only attached to big names.
He is happy to sponsor Wingstop, which sends him coupons for free wings, so he can feed his Mango Habanero addiction. This winter, after his $94 million contract kicked in, he panicked when he lost his coupons. Wingstop generously replenished his supply.
And Leonard is just 24. At that age, the NBA is at his feet (and at his giant hands).
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