Reliving the 4 Most Notable Moments of Kawhi Leonard's Stellar 2014 NBA Finals Performance
By Will Fowler
When Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off Thursday night, it will signify the first time that the Toronto Raptors will be competing for the Finals trophy. Though the Raptors are new to the scene, star Kawhi Leonard is not - in fact, he knows a thing or two about playing in a Finals with the Spurs, specifically in 2014 when San Antonio won it all in large part to Leonard's clutch performance.
4. A Big Game 4
With the Spurs leading the Miami Heat 2 games to 1 in the 2014 NBA Finals, a win on the road would put San Antonio in prime position to win the series on home soil. So, Kawhi went out and dropped 20 points and 14 rebounds as the Spurs cruised to a 21-point win.
3. Swinging the Momentum
Earlier in that 2014 series, the Spurs took Game 1 before Miami won a nail-biting Game 2 at San Antonio. With the series hanging in the balance and a crucial Game 3 coming up, Kawhi exploded for 29 points on 77 percent shooting to lead the Spurs to a 111-92 win and a 2-1 series lead - a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
2. Finishing the Job
The Spurs took a 3-1 series lead back to San Antonio for Game 5 and they made sure not to book a return flight to Miami. In the biggest game of the series, Kawhi went for a double-double (22 points, 10 rebounds) and the Spurs won took down the Heat in five games.
1. Raking in the Hardware
Because of his unparalleled contributions in the 2014 NBA Finals, Kawhi was awarded with his first (and still, only) Finals MVP. In the series, Kawhi averaged 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds - and that was with a slow start in Games 1 and 2.