Toronto Raptors superstar Kawhi Leonard has inserted his name into the best player in the world conversation with his spectacular 2019 postseason thus far. Leonard is leading the Raptors in their first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history.
Yet, despite his unreal superstar talent, The Klaw isn't one to showboat after making a big time play, but instead just stays cool and collected on every single sequence.
In yesterday's media session, Leonard revealed that he picked up this particular attitude from legends like Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant.
“When I watch games from Kobe, Shaq, or Mike, they always don't just go nuts. They make big shots and sometimes just pump their fists or walk back to the bench. I just think because I really don't do it a whole lot like everybody else. But for me, it's just the way I play. Until we win the game or it's all done, I'll show some emotion. But I want to stay even-keel while I'm going through it.”
Leonard rarely shows emotion. When he does, you know he just made a massive play.
The former Defensive Player of the Year made several big plays against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, including a number of massive dunks over Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. On those occasions, Leonard just chose to walk it off instead of gloating and screaming about what he said.
Perhaps the most famous incident where we saw the most emotional version of Kawhi was when when he nailed the series-clinching game winner against the Philadelphia 76ers.
