If you want to know why the San Antonio Spurs have been one of the NBA's elite teams for well over a decade, there isn't a better example than their starting lineup in Game 4, which features two young players (Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green) passed over by most of the NBA.
Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard Shine Early In Game 4
Green, a second round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009, played for five different NBDL teams in his first two years as a pro. In the first quarter, he has 5 points and 3 assists on 1-2 shooting while also playing excellent defense on Chris Paul.
Leonard, whom the Spurs acquired in a draft-day trade with the Indiana Pacers, was originally projected as a lottery pick after two excellent seasons at San Diego State before concerns about his perimeter jumper and his offensive position sent him tumbling on draft night. In the first quarter, he has 3 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist while playing tight defense on Caron Butler.
Just imagine how good the LA Lakers or the Miami Heat would look with this type of depth next to their stars instead of the middling collection of veterans both teams currently run out there.
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