The best part about Kawhi Leonard’s opening eight points to start the fourth quarter in the Spurs’ eventual 103-89 win over the Grizzlies last night in San Antonio was Gregg Popovich failing to even shake Leonard’s hand as he came to the sideline when the Grizzlies called a timeout.
Pop was too busy either complaining about something to the refs, or instructing one of his players on how to properly set a screen.
The Spurs only led 70-66 when the final session started last night, but a pair of free throws by Leonard, five mid-range shots and a three-pointer from the far wing later, and they held a more comfortable 85-75 advantage to easily out-pace the Grizzlies on their way to the win.
The 2014 NBA Finals MVP was the spark-plug at the start of the final quarter, and he did it in typical Kawhi fashion, with nary a change in demeanor and a series of mid-ranger jumpers and pull-ups that would have the analytics crowd cringing at the inefficiency if he actually decided to miss one of them.
Play-by-play for Leonard's 4th-quarter outburst:
Two free throws
14-footer
14-footer
15-footer
15-footer
17-footer
3-pointer— Dan McCarney (@danmccarneyNBA) March 30, 2015
Of course when asked about it after the game, Leonard provided the least sexy quote imaginable:
The always effusive Kawhi Leonard on his hot streak: "I was getting the shots I wanted. Guys were looking for me and they fell."
— Dan McCarney (@danmccarneyNBA) March 30, 2015
Manu Ginobili was a little more complimentary:
Manu on Leonard: "What he did was incredible. It was fun to watch."
— Dan McCarney (@danmccarneyNBA) March 30, 2015
Pop was Pop, which is why his pairing with Kawhi is one of our favorite things in the world:
Pop on Leonard's hot streak: "We went to him and he went to himself."
— Dan McCarney (@danmccarneyNBA) March 30, 2015
The Claw finished with a team-high 25 points (11-of-17 shooting) and 10 rebounds.
Leonard could score 50 points while simultaneously getting a quadruple-double and we’re pretty sure he’d just rehash a platitude about some down-screen Danny Green set for him after the game concluded. Pop is the same way, which is why they’re two peas in a pod — or some other cliché that entrenched itself in our mind after we read post-game Kawhi and Pop quotes.
(video via Tim DuncanTheAlmighty)
