SACRAMENTO – Kyle Anderson arrived for the start of his first NBA training camp two summers ago, and Tony Parker saw what everybody else saw.

"He was slow," the Spurs point guard said. "So slow."

After 86 games of Anderson's pro career – up to and including the Spurs' 108-92 victory in Sacramento on Wednesday – Spurs fans have come to understand he comes by his "Slo-Mo" nickname honestly.

As Anderson has begun to show with some frequency lately, sometimes slow and steady can still get buckets.

After starting for three games with All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard sidelined, the 22-year-old Anderson was back on the bench against the Kings at Sleep Train Arena.

He contributed 14 points – including 10 in a 3 ½ minute span of the first half – to help his team improve to 48-9 overall and 5-1 on its annual rodeo trek.

"Knowing the coaches have confidence in me gives me confidence in myself," said Anderson, who is averaging 8.6 points and shooting 55.6 percent in his past five games. "That's been big for me, knowing I can play with these guys."

The biggest news Wednesday for the Spurs was the return of Leonard, who had been battling a calf issue since before the All-Star break.

Leonard, the Spurs' leading scorer and an All-Star starter, got kicked in the leg during a Feb. 9 win in Miami.

"I got kicked pretty hard," said Leonard, who had not taken live fire since playing Feb. 10 in Orlando. "I just listened to what the doctors and physio guys told me and went from there."

Wednesday's return went about as expected for Leonard.

Looking tentative, Leonard opened 0-for-5, before piecing together an 18-point, eight-rebound night that included four steals.

His 3-pointer from the left wing with 6:18 to play gave the Spurs a 20-point lead and sent fans scurrying for the exits.

"He looked a little bit rusty, a little bit unsure here and there," coach Gregg Popovich said. "But he knocked down some big shots and really played hard."

Parker scored 23 points to lead the Spurs, who shrugged off a 2-for-11 night from LaMarcus Aldridge and a scoreless game from Tim Duncan, who logged only 12 minutes.

For Duncan, it was the second scoreless outing of both his career and the calendar year.

Sacramento All-Star DeMarcus Cousins eventually salvaged an 0-for-10 start to finish with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Rajon Rondo handed out 18 assists.

The Kings (24-32) tied it at 61 on Cousins' transition dunk with 4:36 to go in the third quarter, wiping out what had been an 11-point Spurs lead at half.

"The third quarter we were very undisciplined," Popovich said. "Then we got back to playing solid basketball."

When the Spurs began to pull away, it was largely behind the bench.

David West (10 points), Boris Diaw (eight points) and Patty Mills (seven points) took turns delivering big baskets down the stretch.

Parker helped the Spurs slam the door with eight consecutive points to make it 105-90 with 2:08 remaining.

"It's tough to defend them, because they don't have a one-man ego personalilty," Sacramento coach George Karl said. "Their team is a team. You don't know who is going to beat you."

After, Parker was asked if this team might possess even more weapons than previous Spurs incarnations.

"I feel like we have more, but to compare to other teams you have to win a championship," Parker said. "This team is only going to be judged if we can go all the way."

Eight days after the Spurs last went all the way, in June 2014, they made Anderson the No. 30 pick in the draft.

At first, Anderson was a mystery. He played like a 6-foot-9 point guard in a small forward's frame.

His position was hard to pin down.

"I used to always say I was a point guard, because that's what I knew," Anderson said. "Now I say I'm a basketball player. There's not really a position. I'm just a hooper really."

Since his arrival, Anderson's teammates have begun to recognize the beauty in being Slo Mo.

Yes, Anderson is slow.

"But he's got a good pace to it," Parker said. "He's got a good change of direction. It's almost like he puts you to sleep. It fits him."

Parker said something else Wednesday, too. Lately, Anderson has been playing as well as any Spur.

He did for a stretch against the Kings, as he unleashed a series of long, languid jumpers to get the Spurs going.

"For a young kid, he showed a lot of poise," Popovich said. "He has a good sense of the game and makes good decisions. He wants to be a good player."

A hooper, you might say.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN