The two-way superstar is giving advice to the young Asian players who look up to him.
One thing that the NBA needs to be on notice about is the Toronto Raptors’ defense. With the addition of seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard, the already superb defensive culture set by head coach Darko Rajakovic will be exemplified next season. While they have several outstanding individual defenders, the overall physicality and aggression from both the starters and bench make for a dreadful night for opposing teams.
Finishing fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting, two-time All-Star Scottie Barnes led by example with his impressive defensive tenacity, and it bled into the rest of the roster seamlessly. Rookie sensation Collin Murray-Boyles put on a clinic on the defensive end as well, showing similarities to a young Barnes and displaying the potential nightmare of a duo they can become.
Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) and Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) | Dan Hamilton-Imagn ImagesLeonard isn’t just a great two-way player; he’s one of the best in NBA history. After scoring a career-high 27.9 points per game last season, it may be easy to forget that the former San Diego State Aztec has won two DPOYs in his career as well. Now that he is expected to be a Raptor again once the trade is finalized, Barnes, Murray-Boyles, and all the other wings have one of the best in the business to learn from on both ends.
Currently on an Asia tour in Hong Kong and Chengdu, Leonard is hosting youth camps, basketball clinics, and fan events to increase his global brand. There, he has worked with countless young athletes, and a new clip shows him giving tips on how to replicate his defensive technique.
“It’s always about hand movement,” said Leonard. “That’s why I could [poke at the ball] because I have long arms and big hands.”
The former No. 15 pick in the 2011 NBA draft first made a name for himself as a defender back with the San Antonio Spurs. Playing against and defending a prime LeBron James with the Miami Heat was a tall task for anyone, but the third-year forward earned Finals MVP in 2014 for his incredible effort to stifle one of the greatest players of all time.
Five years later, Leonard was dominating in his first stint with the Raptors, solidifying his ability to compete with anyone in the NBA. En route to earning his second Finals MVP, he proved that instead of just being one of the top players when healthy, he could be No. 1. Now in what could be his final opportunity to be a legitimate contender for another NBA championship, he’s coming into next season hungry to prove all the doubters wrong.
