With the Toronto Raptors dropping Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Orlando Magic, Kawhi Leonard took his game to a new level in Game 2 on Tuesday night.
The soft-spoken superstar made 15 of 22 shot attempts, scoring 37 points in a 29-point Toronto victory that evened the series heading to Orlando.
Just a few days ago, NBA icon and former Lakers star Kobe Bryant broke down Leonard's jump shot as part of his “Detail,” series, which is available on ESPN+.
Bryant assessed that Leonard's strong frame allows him to absorb contact and create separation before he rises up for midrange jumpers:
“Kawhi has a way to disassociate his movements, and what I mean by that is his legs can continue to move in one direction and his upper-body can drop – see how he drops that shoulder down? He drops that shoulder down to keep the defence at bay and he still has the leg strength – look at all that power going into those legs right there,” Bryant said.
“That’s a lot of strength to be able to stop there and through that momentum going full speed to be able to then slide away from the defence.
“Those are tough shots. That’s why it’s important when you lift, you’ve gotta lift real weights – you’ve gotta get strong. That’s the only way to be able to take shots like this, you’ve gotta have great leg strength.”
Leonard's midrange, pull-up jumper has been one of the greatest offensive weapons in the game, but he has also become a steady three-point shooter.
Toronto's playoff hopes likely rely on Leonard's high level of play, so Toronto will be hoping that he has sustained excellence as the series shifts to Orlando.
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