Season 50, Game 04
San Antonio 106, Miami 99
4-0

We’ll start in what will likely become a very familiar place: “Kawhi Is Awesome and Will Destroy Your Team’s Will”. In today’s segment, Kawhi scored 16  of his 27 points in the 4th quarter, including the last 12 for the Spurs, as he almost single-handedly won the game in the final few minutes.

I can’t remember the last time the Spurs had such a reliable one-on-one scorer, a player who could just create good-to-great offense from nothing. Duncan in his prime in the post might be close.

Over the last few years, end of game offense could be dicey for the team, as it relied so much on passing and cutting and precision. As beautiful as that is to watch, it has a much higher success variance, particularly at the end of close games when every defender is completely locked in.

Sometimes, what you really need is a player who you can just give the ball to and tell him to go get a good shot. Kawhi is that player.

There have been a lot of Kobe comparisons at the beginning of this season, which is bittersweet for Spurs fans. It is true, though, that some of these end of game possessions do look like Kobe. Kawhi is showing the willingness to put the burden on himself, and the cold-blooded resolve to win (or lose) the game on his shot.

The difference? Kawhi might already be a more efficient scorer and better shooter than Kobe.

Even more than those final 12 points, what I really appreciated about Kawhi’s game was his playmaking. You can see his field of vision expanding, and he is seeing the floor in a much more complete manner. Already this season he has made some really clever passes out of pick and rolls, on drives collapsing the defenses, or even through holes in the defense. He had a few really nice passes to Patty for 3s that he would have never been able to make last season.

I was worried that Kawhi, as great as he had been, would never be able to fully embrace being the top offensive option and fulcrum of an entire team’s offense. Through four games, he is making me look stupid. In this case, I am quite happy to look stupid.

A few more thoughts from Sunday’s win in Miami:

• Gasol had his best game as a Spur. Not every match-up will suit him, and the roster is constructed in such a way as to only heavily rely on one or two players. On defense, he’ll never be mistaken for Timmy. But on offense, he is an upgrade over the Duncan of the last few seasons.

He occupies that same space in the high post where Duncan often operated. Over the last few years, Duncan seemed to lose all confidence in his jumper from that spot, in essence allowing the defense to really collapse and gum up the entire offense. Gasol’s shot from there is just gorgeous, and it was on full display Sunday. With his shot being a legitimate threat, the defense must cover him, thus opening up the lanes.

Gasol is also a smart and willing passer, and I expect to see more of that as he gets comfortable in the system. If he can average something like 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, he’ll be a huge plus for the team.

• Manu was in full Manu mode. He giveth, he taketh, and he makes you say: “What the hell?”

• Davis Bertrans’ shot is pure. He is still a little hesitant in the offense, and passing up shots he should probably be taking. But damn, when he does shoot it, it looks like the ball isn’t even going to touch the net, let alone the rim.

• The whole team seems to be getting to the FT line better, not just Kawhi. This is a very good thing, particularly with so many strong free throw shooters.

• Simmons is fearless attacking the rim. I love it. As his vision expands, the bigs are going to get so many bunnies off him collapsing the defense.

• Dedmon is an athletic big unlike any we’ve had in a long time. His activity level is constant, and usually leads to positive things. He creates deflections, blocks shots, gets offensive rebounds, and does so many little things that contribute to wins.

• Patty is having an awesome start to the season. His shooting looks to have returned after two down years.

• Much as New Orleans was a case study in how a superstar’s gifts can be wasted, Miami is a lesson in what can happen when a front office is ruthless and calculating. Mind you, the Miami front office has been extremely successful, and might be second only to the Spurs in terms of constantly creating winning teams.

But the way in which Wade left this team this summer is another reminder for Spurs’ fans as to how lucky we are that our front office seems to have an emotionally deft touch. It really does feel more like family than business. Miami felt that way, too; but when it came time to pay up, business won out, as it so often does.

I can’t imagine ever losing Duncan or Manu at the end of their careers over money. Thankfully, we’ll never have to.

The Spurs play Utah the next two games, first in San Antonio in Tuesday, then in Salt Lake City on Friday. This will be a nice test for both teams.

Go Spurs Go.