LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard battle for supremacy (from different time zones)

Gregg Popovich, an authority on all basketball matters, recently declared his star Kawhi Leonard the best player in the world. This is only a mildly controversial declaration for anyone who watched the Spurs this season or caught a couple of games from San Antonio vs. Memphis in the first round. Kawhi remains the sport’s best individual perimeter defender — a veritable menace that gets into opponents’ minds and shirts — and he has transformed into a brilliant individual creator. The case is obvious.

There are maybe six total serious candidates for Best In The World right now: Kawhi, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James, the 10-year reigning Best Player In The World and the player most cited to refute Pop’s claim

It’s not hard to see LeBron’s performance against the Raptors through two games as an attempt to refute Pop’s claim. (Popovich and LeBron are a sort of mutual admiration society, and there is a feeling LeBron will return to Team USA basketball solely to play under Pop in the 2020 Olympics.) LeBron followed up a big Game 1 with a dominant 39 points on 10-of-14 shooting with six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks in another blowout in Game 2 Wednesday.

But here’s the thing: Kawhi is really in this conversation. After LeBron wrapped up, Kawhi went out in a must-win and dropped 34 points on 13-of-16 shooting (like, WHAT?) with eight assists, seven rebounds, three steals, and a block. And he shut down Harden (3 for 17 from the floor) in the process.

We’ll see Durant and Curry back in action Thursday, which will remind us that this isn’t just a two-person battle for individual supremacy. But lord did it feel that way for five hours on Wednesday. LeBron vs. Kawhi III is a Finals series we need almost as much as we need Cavaliers vs. Warriors III.

Raptors 103, Cavaliers 125 (CLE leads 2-0)

Rockets 96, Spurs 121 (Series tied 1-1)

Tough news for the Spurs in the fourth quarter as they finished off the Rockets: Tony Parker went down with a non-contact knee injury. He had to be carried off the floor.

Parker’s replacement, Patty Mills, is pretty darn good. He also had perhaps the flop of the postseason in Game 2.

Thursday’s schedule:
Celtics at Wizards, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN (BOS leads 2-0)
Jazz at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (GSW leads 1-0)

My case that, despite the real questions about his health, Blake Griffin is still the best 2017 free agent who isn’t definitely staying with his team.

More on how the Wizards and Celtics became the pettiest rivalry in basketball. One word: BOOP.

Here’s a big profile and scouting on 18-year-old wunderkind Luka Doncic from Emmet Ryan. Doncic is a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

A case that James Harden put together the best offensive season ever. My counter-argument: Steph Curry a year ago and multiple MJ seasons.

Michele Roberts and the players’ union are flummoxed as to why the league hasn’t sanctioned Phil Jackson and the Knicks for trying to “shame” Carmelo Anthony out of New York. She has a point. If you fine players for trade demands, fine teams for publicly pressuring players to waive their no-trade or opt out.

LeBron is now No. 2 on the all-time playoff scoring ledger. He could pass Jordan for No. 1 if the Cavaliers decide to lose any games.

Flanns and Gonz discuss The Night Isaiah Took Over on the Drive & Kick pod.

Speaking of Zeke: He revealed that he broke down game film WITH KOBE BRYANT after Game 1.

And 1: Two teams had Isaiah and let him go for pennies on the dollar. Big mistake. Big. Huge.

Fascinating piece on how Australia has become a big landing spot for South Sudanese basketball prospects like Thon Maker.

There is some dispute as to whether Wes Wilcox has been or soon will be fired as the GM of the Hawks.

Draymond Green on the racist epithets he’s faced on the court.

Stephon Marbury has some shoe advice for the Ball family.