That basically means in seven of eight full seasons, he’s been one of the league’s best defenders all but once. Kawhi has seven All-Defense honors over 10 seasons, which is even more impressive considering he started just 39 games his rookie season and nine games in his final season with San Antonio. As it stands, the 30-year-old is on track to become a Basketball Hall of Famer. But clearly, those athletic gifts weren’t wasted. With sneaky strength to go along with jaw-dropping measurables, Leonard is one-of-a-kind. Kawhi Leonard Is Committed to the Clippers, but His Superstar Rapper Friend Claims That He Misses Toronto: ‘He Misses the Fans and the City’ It’s crazy how strong these guys are.” Kawhi Leonard is destined for the Hall of Fame I don’t even know how I got out here, I think he pushed me. And then I get the handoff, I look down, and I’m at the logo. “Kawhi’s like, ‘Yo, I got him,’ and I’m like ‘What’s going on?’ So I come to get a dribble handoff, and his hand is on my hip, and I’m at the three-point line I think. “We were playing the Clippers in LA, and at this point, guys off the bench are guarding me I’m not that high up on the scouting report,” Haliburton told Redick. The second-year guard referred to the All-Star as his “intro to NBA strength.” Haliburton also had a similar experience with Leonard. And I remember thinking to myself, ‘I just touched a robot.’ Like, this motherf***** is built. And I can’t remember what I said, but I just tapped him on his stomach. “It was a dead ball or free throw, and had an exchange on the previous play and I just, like, walked over to him. Speaking with Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton, Redick told a story from when his Clippers took on Leonard’s Spurs in the 2015 playoffs. The newly-retired Redick hosts a podcast titled The Old Man and the Three. | Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images JJ Redick shares how he learned about Kawhi’s strength Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers guarded by former New Orleans Pelicans guard JJ Redick. It’s a big reason why the 30-year-old has two Defensive Player of the Year awards and seven All-NBA Defensive team recognitions. Leonard’s hands, wingspan, and height allow him to guard nearly anyone he’s up against. On top of everything, the Aztec weighed in at just over 227 lbs with 5.40% body fat. For context, the average 6-7 player has hands that measure around 8.8 inches. Additionally, his hands measured at 9.75 inches in length, tied for the longest of any draft prospect in 2011. But The Claw’s wingspan was a whopping 7-3. While no one could have predicted he’d become an NBA star, his pre-draft measurements were mind-boggling.Īt the NBA Draft Combine, Leonard’s height came in at 6-foot-7 with shoes, 6-6 without. Playing outside of a Power Five conference led to Kawhi going 15th overall in 2011, just outside of the lottery. Before Leonard became the face of the San Antonio Spurs, he was an under-the-radar wing at San Diego State.
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