Came from a defensive stopper leaving college, projected to be used sparingly as a two way player at best, but became one of the best players in NBA history. Top 3 favorite players to watch when healthy.
Mans was compared to Gerald Wallaxe coming out of SDSU. That's fine for any random individual who may or may not elite status, but is amazingly low given who he became.
About every 2-3 months I go back and watch highlights from that Raptors run. One of the most impressive individual stretches I've seen in a while. Leonard was special, and you gotta respect his game when he's on the floor.
Dude was surgical out there. When he’s on it’s a beautiful thing to watch if you love the game for more than highlights and mixtapes. I only say that because that’s why most people say his game is boring.
A lot of these players that aren’t developing their shooting like Kawhi just don’t have the heart and are prideful, DeRozan came in with a better jump shot than Kawhi, managed to be a deadly mid range shooter behind Kawhi in my opinion but still can’t shoot the three to save his life, Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons and the list goes onz
Kawhi shot 38% since his rookie year. The Spurs shut down the lights of the gym his rookie year because the NBA was on lockout and he just came back with a lamp.
Let’s goooooo growth spurt series baby! Whoooo this is fire. Man who could we do next. Matter fact bro. MJ could be on this lol. Nobody thought he would be even close to what he became. This series is gunna be heat salute.
Love guys like this who go from a draft day afterthought into top tier. For emphasizing the importance of shooting, the Sixers fan in me was moreso thinking Tatum or Jaylen Brown vs Ben Simmons for player comparisons, even with my hate for the Celtics 😂
Thanks for the video, nice work! Do Ricky Rubio next. BTW... don't feel bad SA sent him to Toronto - remember he demanded out, not the other way around.
Thank you for the great vid good sir. I really love your growth spurt videos. If their are players that had sky high potential that fell to the ground, their are also players that crawled in the mud that achieved to fly in the sky.
Kawhi never should have left Toronto. And I don’t say that as a Raptor fan, but as a Kawhi fan. He probably would’ve made another finals in the 2020 bubble. They were only a shot away from the conference finals without him. It was his healthiest season in the last 7 years.
Sorry but I have to disagree with the growth spurts you gave. The biggest reason for his growth spurt was being drafted by the Spurs. If he wasn't drafted and developed by the Spurs maybe he wouldn't be the superstar he is today.
When people say that Kawhi beat a Warriors team without Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.... they act like Klay got injured in Game 1 or something... Klay got injured in the 4th quarter of GAME 6...and had 30!!!!! ... Klay played every game except Game 3! I get so tired of people saying Kawhi beat a broken Warriors team. The only player out was Durant....All their other key players were healthy.
Kevin plays a bit in Game 5 before he tear is achilles again. Raptor could of one Game 5 if not Nick Nurse time out. Klay got injured in game 6. Most Warriors defender probably didn't watch the game because it was too much for them to watch. If you look from context game to game. Raptors play a 50-70% healthy GSW.
I dont understand why people think kawhi is one of the best of all time yea he has 2 fmvps which is big but he misses a lot of games the best ability is availability and to me he didn't deserve to be on top 75 list after his 2 rings what other memorial moments make him a all time great I just wanna know
That Toronto team he took over. I always said without injuries to the warriors the outcome would’ve been different. Kawaii was in super saiyan mode that season
Kawhi Leonard in the Top 75 is crazy. He’s barely played since 2017 if you total the amount of games he’s missed in his career. He’s great when he plays, sure. But the best ability is availability. It’s crazy that Dwight Howard didn’t make the Top 75 and he won 3 consecutive Defensive Player of The Year Awards. He was also a bucket in the paint. Total disrespect. I’m just saying. 🤷🏾♂️
@@mr.twertletv5612 he got a Iggy fmvp with the spurs and beat a hospital warriors team with everyone injured by the time finals came, the one true time he was the main guy he blew a 3-1 in the bubble and ain't did shit since
Honestly I won’t call it spurt because me and my cousin both thought he was gonna be a monster when he was in college especially when he had them deep in March madness
Had Kawhi stayed, Raptors could’ve won another one, looking at Siakam, FVV and Anunoby’s development, Raptors could’ve won another one or two. Coming from Toronto, that season was the city’s greatest season. One thing people forget that Anunoby Rap’s second best defender, was out games prior to the playoffs due to having bursted his appendix
I think Kawhi didn't want to re-sign a 4-5 years max contract. Even if it's a 2 year contract Kawhi want to play in LA. But Kawhi help not only won Toronto but put Raptors on the big market. Any franchise would love to have a Raptors players that contribute and won 2019.
Wow. I admit he improved his shooting & is a solid 2 way player. That 1 Toronto season he was a key factor leading them winning the first ever NBA chip for the Franchise. But all time great is a lil much. salute to Kawhi Leonard
I live a mile south of SDSU right now. The guy is not flashy, nothing fast, but he is similar to Harden as if you let them get to their spots you are fucked.
I cant stand Leonard. Tried to stall my Lakers out in 2020 till all the marquee free agents were gone before announcing he was signing with the Clippers. But guess what we still won & they got bounced in the 1st round lol. & to anyone saying that was the bubble championship...yes it was, one of the toughest mental championships ever. Dealing with covid, the lockdown, the political landscape of America & we still won. & by the way, Lebron & AD weren't the only players who benefitted from rest during the bubble. Every player in the league did so cut out the bubble championship talk 🟣🟡
"His story is all about hard work and dedication." -- Hard work, of course; dedication?? I can't think of another NBA superstar and Finals MVP who skipped out on their team and didn't at least attempt a title defense by forcing a trade. Isn't that the definition of mercenary behavior?
Came from a defensive stopper leaving college, projected to be used sparingly as a two way player at best, but became one of the best players in NBA history. Top 3 favorite players to watch when healthy.
🔥🔥🔥🔥
If you always gotta put "when healthy" that means they never healthy, not top 50
Hey I know u did AB awhile back I think another good non hoop one would be mike Tyson
Mans was compared to Gerald Wallaxe coming out of SDSU.
That's fine for any random individual who may or may not elite status, but is amazingly low given who he became.
Kawhi is a friend of the family. My cousin told me to watch out for his boy Kawhi.
This was in 2007
He is forever a legend in Toronto even if it was just a year. Absolutely spectacular playoff run
It was. Kawhi and the Raptors took the world on a ride. That was a great team.
no fr that was a summer to remember
About every 2-3 months I go back and watch highlights from that Raptors run. One of the most impressive individual stretches I've seen in a while. Leonard was special, and you gotta respect his game when he's on the floor.
Dude was surgical out there. When he’s on it’s a beautiful thing to watch if you love the game for more than highlights and mixtapes. I only say that because that’s why most people say his game is boring.
The fact that this guy put in the time to fix his jumper is something I’m still waiting for Ben Simmons to do😂
A lot of these players that aren’t developing their shooting like Kawhi just don’t have the heart and are prideful, DeRozan came in with a better jump shot than Kawhi, managed to be a deadly mid range shooter behind Kawhi in my opinion but still can’t shoot the three to save his life, Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons and the list goes onz
Kawhi shot 38% since his rookie year. The Spurs shut down the lights of the gym his rookie year because the NBA was on lockout and he just came back with a lamp.
You should do Jimmy Butler Next!! 💯
My favorite player of this era...WHEN HE PLAYS!
Growth spurt - Joe Dumars or Dennis Rodman
Stunted growth - Danny Manning
Let’s goooooo growth spurt series baby! Whoooo this is fire. Man who could we do next. Matter fact bro. MJ could be on this lol. Nobody thought he would be even close to what he became. This series is gunna be heat salute.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander definitely deserves a episode
Love guys like this who go from a draft day afterthought into top tier.
For emphasizing the importance of shooting, the Sixers fan in me was moreso thinking Tatum or Jaylen Brown vs Ben Simmons for player comparisons, even with my hate for the Celtics 😂
Much respect for using the Toronto press conference for the thumbnail. Still CTFU about that laugh to this day 😂
It's classic. It's never goin anywhere.
Can you make an episode about Glen Rice?
Do a stunted growth for Patrick McCaw, as Jerry West said, “teams will be sorry they didn’t take him.”
How did I know this video was about to start with that crazy laugh
Similar game to Michael and Kobe. Strong, big hands, super smart.
My 3rd favorite player behind kobe and Tony Parker. It's insane how skilled and dominant he is on the court when he's healthy
He's in my top 10. Because he is great on both sides of the ball and is not bout no BS. If he could just stay healthy.
Your next one should be on Scottie Pippen Thanks
Thanks for the video, nice work! Do Ricky Rubio next.
BTW... don't feel bad SA sent him to Toronto - remember he demanded out, not the other way around.
Great video bro🏀🏀🏀
Thank you for the great vid good sir.
I really love your growth spurt videos. If their are players that had sky high potential that fell to the ground, their are also players that crawled in the mud that achieved to fly in the sky.
Succinct outlook
Keep up the great content my brotha!✊🏿
Love the new features brotha! Keep showing both sides of the coin Stunted growth and growth spurts!
🙏🏾💯
Thats last finals that I watched… closest thing to MJ in a finals that I’ve seen.
Another growth spurt video about another one of my favorites, another treat. Much love.
How did San Antonio give up on him? They wanted to keep him, Leonard wanted to leave.
He and uncle Dennis weren't happy with the Spurs medical staff. Pop tried like hell to keep him.
Great video. Just plays the game the right way and without a lot of flash (something not many stars in the NBA do).
Hassan Whiteside would be interesting
Kawhi never should have left Toronto. And I don’t say that as a Raptor fan, but as a Kawhi fan. He probably would’ve made another finals in the 2020 bubble. They were only a shot away from the conference finals without him. It was his healthiest season in the last 7 years.
Didn't he make the finals with tye clippers
Can u do Philadelphia most wanted
Already one of my favorite all time players in the game
Sorry but I have to disagree with the growth spurts you gave. The biggest reason for his growth spurt was being drafted by the Spurs. If he wasn't drafted and developed by the Spurs maybe he wouldn't be the superstar he is today.
He was drafted by the Pacers and then traded to the Spurs the same night. If Pacers didn't trade Kawhi who knows.
Gotta do Giannis Antetokounmpo & Joel Embiid next.
Can you do Jimmy Butler next or Jamal Nelson aka springs
When people say that Kawhi beat a Warriors team without Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.... they act like Klay got injured in Game 1 or something... Klay got injured in the 4th quarter of GAME 6...and had 30!!!!! ... Klay played every game except Game 3! I get so tired of people saying Kawhi beat a broken Warriors team. The only player out was Durant....All their other key players were healthy.
Actually he got hurt in game 2 and missed game 3…….
@@DMalltheway Yeah I said that.. but he was healthy enough to drop 28, 26,and 30 in games 4, 5, and 6.... miss me with that shit.
@@Cluez31 You failed to mention he was out game 3.
Kevin plays a bit in Game 5 before he tear is achilles again. Raptor could of one Game 5 if not Nick Nurse time out. Klay got injured in game 6. Most Warriors defender probably didn't watch the game because it was too much for them to watch. If you look from context game to game. Raptors play a 50-70% healthy GSW.
I dont understand why people think kawhi is one of the best of all time yea he has 2 fmvps which is big but he misses a lot of games the best ability is availability and to me he didn't deserve to be on top 75 list after his 2 rings what other memorial moments make him a all time great I just wanna know
He misses games because of injuries 😕
Load management, consistent injuries and hardly available. That's Kawhi Leonard.
That Toronto team he took over. I always said without injuries to the warriors the outcome would’ve been different. Kawaii was in super saiyan mode that season
Kawhi Leonard in the Top 75 is crazy. He’s barely played since 2017 if you total the amount of games he’s missed in his career. He’s great when he plays, sure. But the best ability is availability. It’s crazy that Dwight Howard didn’t make the Top 75 and he won 3 consecutive Defensive Player of The Year Awards. He was also a bucket in the paint. Total disrespect. I’m just saying. 🤷🏾♂️
2x fmvp 2x champ, 2x dpoy not top 75 to you ? Good thing you not voting
Dwight definitely deserved top 75 but not in spite of Kwahi. AD and Lillard didn't deserve to be there over Dwight
You're right, with kawhis impressive resume he isn't a top 75 player, he's a top 15 player of all time 😎
@@mr.twertletv5612 he got a Iggy fmvp with the spurs and beat a hospital warriors team with everyone injured by the time finals came, the one true time he was the main guy he blew a 3-1 in the bubble and ain't did shit since
@@colewrld901 if He can play, he just may be.
Honestly I won’t call it spurt because me and my cousin both thought he was gonna be a monster when he was in college especially when he had them deep in March madness
Dude definitely is a beast. I like how he carries himself as well.
my favorite player!
Should have stayed in Toronto. They could have easily rivaled the Warriors for a few years.
Had Kawhi stayed, Raptors could’ve won another one, looking at Siakam, FVV and Anunoby’s development, Raptors could’ve won another one or two. Coming from Toronto, that season was the city’s greatest season. One thing people forget that Anunoby Rap’s second best defender, was out games prior to the playoffs due to having bursted his appendix
I think Kawhi didn't want to re-sign a 4-5 years max contract. Even if it's a 2 year contract Kawhi want to play in LA. But Kawhi help not only won Toronto but put Raptors on the big market. Any franchise would love to have a Raptors players that contribute and won 2019.
Might as well do a growth spurt vid for giannis
Dennis Rodman or Scottie Pippin would be a good feature.
Do Mac McClung next!
the shade on toronto is not necessary
DO RODNEY HOOD PLZ
Wow. I admit he improved his shooting & is a solid 2 way player. That 1 Toronto season he was a key factor leading them winning the first ever NBA chip for the Franchise. But all time great is a lil much. salute to Kawhi Leonard
This gonna be good
I live a mile south of SDSU right now. The guy is not flashy, nothing fast, but he is similar to Harden as if you let them get to their spots you are fucked.
And with his strength and patience, he usually does.
You neglected to mention his growth as a ball-handler.
Can you do a stunted growth on Frank Jackson?
W vid❤️✝️❤️
Jesus Christ is love ❤😊
I have him as the greatest raptors.
I don’t like when anyone chooses to sit instead of playing when able…AD or KL?
Mr Load Management
People like to focus on load management but when he’s on the court, he’s always the best overall player on the court.
load management is a buzzword. the truth is the franchise needs to encourage bench player to step up when their key player sits out.
I cant stand Leonard. Tried to stall my Lakers out in 2020 till all the marquee free agents were gone before announcing he was signing with the Clippers. But guess what we still won & they got bounced in the 1st round lol. & to anyone saying that was the bubble championship...yes it was, one of the toughest mental championships ever. Dealing with covid, the lockdown, the political landscape of America & we still won. & by the way, Lebron & AD weren't the only players who benefitted from rest during the bubble. Every player in the league did so cut out the bubble championship talk 🟣🟡
Bubble chip was one of the most difficult chips ever to have won .... any team would be proud of the win
The best Defender
Lauri
Russ could shoot the mid range before his injuries respectfully I get your point tho
John Wall Stunted Growth may be coming soon unfortunately
to be clear the spurs didnt give up on kawhi. kawhi gave up on the spurs. just to be clear
Comment for algorithm
You should do overrated Ben Simmons
He gave up on the Spurs, not the other way around.
How is he top 75 of all time is real question
Yeah, if you don't know basketball
I know,what has he done consistently well,besides sit out games. LOL.
@@dsg3053 I do what has he done beside consistently miss games
He’s really not a top 75 player. Not enough killer instinct. Don’t play enough. It takes away from other great ones
"His story is all about hard work and dedication." -- Hard work, of course; dedication?? I can't think of another NBA superstar and Finals MVP who skipped out on their team and didn't at least attempt a title defense by forcing a trade. Isn't that the definition of mercenary behavior?
I can’t believe he’s one the greatest hella overrated
2 time champ, 2 finals mvps, 2 DPOYs. Yep......overrated
@@colewrld901
C🏀RRECT!!!
@@colewrld901 yea first ring was a Iggy fmvp, 2nd vs a injured warriors and blew a 3-1 lead as the leader of the clippers
@@colewrld901 wish he could stay healthy. He'd shut a lot of folks up.
He's not one of the greatest of all time lol dude not even top 50 all-time if we being honest
Nice troll
He whoop MVP Giannis(MVP that year) back 2019. And made Joel Embiid cried.
wish lebron left so he came to lakers