TORONTO (AP) — Hindi kaila na taglay ng Golden State ang pinakamatitikas na defender sa liga. Andyan si Draymond, Klay Thompson at sa edad na 35-anyos, hindi pahuhuli si Andre Iguodala.
Nguni t , kai langan ni lang respetuhin ang galing sa opensa ni Kawhi Leonard.
Sa harap ng partisan Toronto crowd, asahan ang pagparada ng Golden State Warriors sa kanilang A-game sa Game 1 ng NBA best-of-seven Finals Huwebes ng gabi (Biyernes sa Manila).
“He’s been playing amazing this whole playoff run and really all season,” pahayag ni Warriors star Stephen Curry. “He’s always at his own pace, and never seems to get rushed or be in a hurry. He’s obviously physically gifted and strong. He can get to his spots, but he’s become a really good shooter. Off the dribble, getting to a spot, rising up. ... But we have some capable — beyond capable — defenders to guard him.”
Tunay na kahanga-hanga si Leonard sa kabuuan ng season na napahinto lamang sa ratsada nang magtamo ng ‘sipon’ sa Game Three ng first round pl;ayoff laban sa Orlando Magic.
Tangan niya ang averaged 31.2 puntos sa playoffs, kasama ang 8.8 rebounds at 3.8 assists.
Tunay na hindi na dominante ni LeBron James ang East. May bago na itong hari sa katauhan ni Leonard.
“I think it just really comes down to being smart and just being in those situations before and just knowing what’s going to happen,” sambit ni Leonard. “Going through years of playing and seeing defensive schemes or offensive schemes and watching film and seeing how they guarded other guys or me in the past.”
Malabo pa ringmakalaro si Kevin Durant sa Warriors.