Gregg Popovich Praises Kawhi Leonard, Says He "Has The Ability To Do What A Michael Jordan Did"

Gregg Popovich heaped some big praise—and basically sky-high expectations—on his star small forward.

In a Q&A with the San Antonio Express-News, the Spurs coach was asked if he worried about the energy Kawhi Leonard, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and the Spurs best player, expends on both sides of the floor. That's when he invoked the G.O.A.T.'s name and Leonard's name in the same sentence.

So no need to sound the sirens. Popovich was clear not to directly compare Leonard to Jordan because that's unfair and disrespectful. But Popovich made sure to emphasize that Leonard, who still might not earn the kind of respect he deserves from casual basketball fans, has the ability to be one of the best two-ways players in the game. Just like his Airness during his prime.

[h/t Uproxx]