While recent times may reflect otherwise, NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard was once vying for the league’s best player title. Five years ago, Leonard, then a Toronto Raptor, dazed defenses with a sublime playoff run. As the lone All-Star on his team, No. 2 glittered the stat sheet, tormented defenders with his fade-away jumpers, and tore the heart out of a franchise with his unprecedented game-winner to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in a Game 7. Phew.
Wait, there’s more?
Yes — “The Klaw” was a wall on defense. He stopped Ben Simmons in his tracks, bottled up Jimmy Butler, and put Giannis Antetokounmpo to shame. How does he do it? Get to know his motto: “The board man gets paid.”
"I used to say that when I was in high school and college, just wanting to get to this league," Leonard said after Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals. "It's about working hard, basically. Outworking the opponent. Rebounds help you win games. Big rebounds, offensive rebounds. Limiting the opponent to one shot. That used to be our motto, some of us in college that were trying to get to this point."
An indelible personality
There was something about the Raptors superstar during his pursuit of a second NBA title. From the way he walked, talked, and dressed in press conferences, his even-keeled leadership, and so much more. Somehow the team that was dug deep into the LeBron James hole from 2016-18 — including two sweeps — was united by Leonard’s unique personality.
After the very first game of the postseason — a loss against the Orlando Magic at home – Leonard’s demeanor didn’t fluster. After his team went up 3-1 over the defending champion Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, the 2014 NBA champion had the same reaction. A particular time of adversity for Toronto was when they fell down 0-2 to the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks. As the favorite to represent the conference in the NBA Finals, most wrote Toronto off.
“Where do you go from here, Kawhi?" asked the reporter at the time.
“I’m going to Toronto for Game 3,” The Klaw responded with a smirk.
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Ingrained in his DNA
Fans have often poked fun at the forward’s awkwardly charismatic personality. Hailed as “a fun guy,” Leonard largely escaped the public eye until he sat down for his Raptors introductory press conference in 2018. It began with “I’m a fun guy” and ended with a laugh that gave the world a roller coaster of emotions.
He probably knew his laugh turned into the most ‘meme-able’ moment in recent NBA history. But then again, he is who he is. He wants to play basketball his way.
“If he was grabbing a rebound, he’d say, “Give me that” or “Board man” or “Board man gets paid,” said LaBradford Franklin, Kawhi’s teammate at San Diego State.
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