Spurs' Leonard, Popovich focused on wins, not scoring streak

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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich does not keep track of Kawhi Leonard’s 30-point games.

“That’s things you guys write about, it doesn’t mean anything to us,” Popovich said after Leonard poured in 34 points in a 122-114 win over the Timberwolves.

Leonard, who has poured in 30 points in four straight contests, is equal in his apathy.

“You don’t care about the numbers, you just want to come out and win,” he said.

Don’t give Leonard too much credit for this recent scoring outburst, either. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year will reactionarily deflect it.

“(Tony Parker) is doing a great job of pushing the pace, getting into those lanes and getting me open shots,” Leonard said. “Once you get open shots your percentages go up. LaMarcus is also doing a great job – he’s getting double teamed every game and that gets us wide open shots on the perimeter. And I’m just in a great rhythm.”

Leonard’s disarming nonchalance is in utter contrast to most of the league's other top scorers, a mostly animated bunch who spend games roaring, mean-mugging and shimmying.

Leonard's idea of "fun" — if one can call it that — is silent destruction. For him, the numbers are loud enough.

Spurs' Kawhi Leonard (02) scores against Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Andrew Wiggins (22) during their game at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News) less Spurs' Kawhi Leonard (02) scores against Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Andrew Wiggins (22) during their game at the AT&T Center on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. (Kin Man Hui/San Antonio ... more Photo: Kin Man Hui, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Kin Man Hui, Staff / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Spurs' Leonard, Popovich focused on wins, not scoring streak 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

During this four-game stretch he is averaging a league-best 33.3 points on 66.7 percent shooting. He has hit 9 of 16 3-pointers and 36 of 42 free throws.

Over the past 30 seasons, only LeBron James (six straight from Feb. 3, 2013 to Feb. 12) has had a longer streak of 30-point games on 60 percent shooting.

“It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen,” backup center Dewayne Dedmon said. “He gets the lightest 30. I look up at halftime, and it’s like, ‘Wow, he’s got 15?’ Then at the end of the game, it’s ‘Wow, he’s got 34, 35?’ ”

Contested or uncontested, assisted or unassisted, Leonard has displayed an ability to score with unparalleled efficiency in every situation imaginable.

Excluding his 38-point outing in Mexico City Arena, which is not equipped with NBA tracking equipment, Leonard during this streak is shooting 68 percent on uncontested shots and an unfathomable 70 percent when guarded.

“Shooting the ball well, shooting the ball very well and getting into his spots,” Parker said. “He’s in a very good rhythm right now.”

Even Popovich could tell you that.

nmoyle@express-news.net

Twitter: @NRmoyle