NBA Rumors: San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard 'Scared' Tim Duncan, Tony Parker; SF Pressured to Play Like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves
Mar 8, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) at Target Center. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-91.  Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs are slowly gaining on the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference this NBA season. With the injuries and years catching up with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, another set of up and coming stars are gearing up to take over the lead. At this point, the San Antonio Spurs are easing the way for Danny Green, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard to take over the team once the older men retire. Among the three younger guys, Leonard has been one of the most widely talked about star this season.

With his recent performances this basketball season, Leonard has caught the attention of the fans and the entire NBA community. Based on the ESPN rankings, the San Antonio Spurs small forward is only trailing behind Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Cleveland Cavaliers leader LeBron James for the MVP award this season. This puts him ahead of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard and James Harden.

However, Gregg Popovich was not always this confident of Leonard's entry into the San Antonio Spurs. In an interview with Sports Illustrated via San Antonio Express News, the NBA team's head coach shared their apprehension in signing the 24-year-old in 2011. Before joining the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard was the 15th overall NBA draft pick of the Indiana Pacers. He was then traded to the Duncan squad on the same night along with Davis Bertans and Erazem Lorbex. In exchange, the San Antonio Spurs let go of George Hill.

"We were all looking at each other like, 'Are we really going to do this?' We were scared s---less," shared Popovich of the night they traded for Leonard. He added, "We don't know this kid. He's not a shooter. He's not a scorer. He's not a perimeter player. He's a big guy who can rebound."

Popovich then described Leonard as "serious as a heart attack" on their first meeting. The San Antonio Spurs head coach further shared that the young star "wants the greatness badly." Despite his desire to be the top dog in the league, Popovich noted that Leonard did not care much for the stardom. The head coach noted, "He loves the game. He ignores the rest of it ... If [the arena] were empty, he'd probably like it a lot more."

Although Popovich aims to keep things "light" with Leonard, the head coach never fails to remind the All-Star of his duty to the team. He shared, "I try to keep things light with him..but I also let him know it is now his responsibility to bring it night after night like Kobe, like Michael, like Magic, like Larry, like Tim Duncan. He is in that category."

Sean Elliott, a former San Antonio Spurs star and a current TV sports analyst, also shared his two cents about Leonard. He said, "To be a true scorer, like Kobe or Michael or LeBron, I think you have to be a little selfish ... You have to be a little cocky ... I don't know if there's ever really been a superstar like this." As for David West, he described his teammate as "Tim Duncan 2.0."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories