SAN ANTONIO – Spurs All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard applauded the NBA for taking steps to eliminate the defensive move that knocked him out of the playoffs last year, but he indicated he harbors no grudge against the man who delivered it.
Leonard suffered a postseason-ending ankle injury when Golden State’s Zaza Pachulia undercut him with a hard close out in Game 1 of the West finals.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich angrily labeled it a dirty play. For the first time this season, NBA referees will be able to call flagrant or technical fouls on defenders who dangerously close on jump shooters without allowing them space to land.