There has never been a player quite like Kawhi Leonard in the NBA.
Yes, the San Antonio Spurs forward's 7-foot-3 wingspan relative to his 6-foot-6 size without shoes, while not unique, is still fairly rare. But it's his massive hands that are truly the star of his measurables; at 9.8 inches long and 11.3 inches wide, it's not only bigger than an NBA basketball, it's the biggest for a player of his size and only rivaled by centers… and a small group of them too.
These physical features, combined with his athleticism, build, timing, IQ, and nose for the ball, make him an exceptional defender (earning him the nickname “The Klaw”) and he parlayed that into two Defensive Player of the Year awards — also a rarity for perimeter defenders.
But what really makes the 2014 NBA Finals MVP stand out is his incredibly reticent personality. The former San Diego State Aztec barely displays any emotion on the court or even off the court (of note is his empty facial expression as he accepted his NBA awards), has a reputation to be very hard to reach, and generally keeps to himself and avoids attention. Which also explains why until now, we have yet to hear what he really thinks about the entire tiff between him and the Spurs organization — only through his representatives.
It's also an understated headscratcher why he desires to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, given his demeanor. NBA insider Steve Kyler brought this concern in a tweet, citing that the silent forward may have trouble adjusting to the spotlight of Hollywood.
I have spent time with Kawhi — there is no doubt in my mind he'll implode in a major media market, especially if he struggles at all. https://t.co/Zd1XyORs9a
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) July 16, 2018
Nonetheless, the Spurs appear to not be on a rush or willing to acquiesce to his preferred landing spot anyway. The best trade partner will always be the one to offer the best deal. Although one of the other options — the Boston Celtics — is also a big market with a similarly ferocious media.
At any rate, how the 27-year-old adjusts to the responses of his offseason “actions” — whether he returns or actually gets traded — will certainly be interesting once the 2018-19 season kicks off.
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