Grizzlies JaMychal Green (0) defends Spurs Kawhi Leonard (2) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Around this time in 2017-18, the Kawhi Leonard saga had not unfolded. He was still out with the quadriceps injury that would consume all but nine games, while the San Antonio Spurs were forced to adjust to life without him; that became permanent, with the offseason trade to the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick.
Four-plus months after the deal, head coach Gregg Popovich spoke Leonard's name. Although not in an expected manner, according to Matt Eppers of USA Today:
“Kawhi was a great player, but he wasn’t a leader or anything,” Popovich said. “Manu and Patty were the leaders. Kawhi’s talent will always be missed, but that leadership wasn’t his deal at that time. That may come as he progresses, but Manu and Patty filled that role last year, and LaMarcus (Aldridge) came a long way in that regard also.”
A blunt statement from Popovich, who hardly referenced Leonard since the summer whirlwind, but it's hardly surprising after the former MVP candidate's tenure in San Antonio.
Leonard dazzled in six healthy seasons for the Spurs, with multiple NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards and an NBA Finals MVP honor in 2014's run over the Miami Heat. That was great for the organization, and he seemingly provided the foundation to assume the superstar mantle from Tim Duncan.
However, amid this, Leonard was hardly vocal in the Alamo City. Heck, cracking a smile made would make a headline.
This became clear in Leonard's controversial final season, when he rarely spoke publicly and opted to stay behind the scenes. It only provided frustrations, as the Spurs searched for answers.
Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker were not only the team's best players, but at the forefront of its culture. They, and Popovich, created the mystique and stigma that remained with the Spurs through the 2000s and into the 2010s.
Leonard was silent and went about his game like Popovich's Spurs did, except he only went by example and not as a communicator to the 15-man roster. That went to other players, including LaMarcus Aldridge, a player never known for leadership with the Portland Trail Blazers.
However, Leonard's talent has been missed in 2018-19. The Spurs are 9-10 and outside of the Western Conference's top eight. DeMar DeRozan has provided admirable replacement work, at 48.7 percent shooting on 24.9 points per game, but he won't be mistaken for an elite two-way player or dynamic three-point shooter, which the San Diego State product was.
Popovich has worked his magic on players before. He brought Aldridge back amid a trade request, along with a down first two years in San Antonio, and received maybe the veteran power forward's best season in 2017-18. Even Leonard was once a project, only to use his physical tools to become an all-pro.
Potentially, with time, the same can be done for DeRozan's evolution and further place this trade in the rearview mirror. Easier said than done, though, despite the longtime Raptor being a fine player as is.
It's still a new era for the Spurs, as fresh faces continue to assume leadership roles or spots on the roster once consumed by franchise legends. Leonard didn't fit the former, which wasn't surprising, but his talent will always be difficult to replace.
