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The Golden State Warriors are expected to have their share of headaches heading into these NBA Finals against this version of the Toronto Raptors team they've had little experience facing. Rendered at less than full strength without the services of Kevin Durant, the main task on the Warriors' checklist is to contain Kawhi Leonard, something easier said than done, as perimeter hawk Andre Iguodala notes:
“He’s kind of got a different game than anybody,” Iguodala said of Leonard on Wednesday during the NBA Finals media availability in Toronto, according to Ethan Strauss of The Athletic. “He’s very unique. His strength, with his quickness, being able to explode to the basket, but also being a threat from the perimeter. So he’s pretty much got it all. I guess trying to throw him off balance. (Bill) Belichick always says, ‘Try to make guys play with their left hand.’ That sounds easier than it actually is.”
This isn't the first time Iguodala has resorted to Bill Belichick-isms for some sound advice, but as he said, disrupting Leonard won't be easy to do.
Leonard will wreck havoc on defense and constantly solve problems on offense, making him much tougher to defend than a one-trick pony. The Warriors reportedly are much more concerned as to how they will deal with Leonard and this Raptors team than they ever were with James Harden.
Leonard is multi-faceted given he can play on or off the ball and he can bully his way to the basket or take his time with a savvy pull-up game. He can make shots from spot-ups, but is smart enough to give those up when he needs to. Topping that off, his defense will represent a whole new layer of trouble the Warriors never had with Harden.
Iguodala will have his hands full with Leonard, but he won't be the only one getting a turn, as the Warriors will likely blitz him with different looks and force him to make decisions on the fly all game long.
