Kawhi’s defensive ability was always heralded in his career, but the 2016-17 season really showcased his offensive skills as one of the best two-way players in the league. Kawhi averaged a San Antonio high 25.5 points a game this season, which showcased him as the Spurs clear-cut leader.
The sneakers that Leonard rocked this year was the Air Jordan XXXI. This shoe took a departure from the similar tooling seen on the Jordan 28-30. This time around, the shoe utilizes FlightSpeed with full length Zoom Air compared to just forefoot Zoom from its predecessors. This provides the wearer an extra bounce no matter what part of the outsole makes contact with the floor. The upper of the XXXI showcases the old-school with the new, with a synthetic leather used on the heel to mimic the heel on the Jordan 1. The heel makes an interesting transition to the midfoot and toe, featuring newer tech in the Flyweave upper that is soft, yet durable.
Leonard had one of his best seasons in the XXXI, not just statistically, but in the moments he provided on the court. This includes rim-rattling dunks, clutch shots, intense defensive highlights, and even swearing at the refs(!) Check the moments section below to watch these plays.
You can find the Air Jordan XXXI at StockX, Flight Club, Stadium Goods, and GOAT.
Image via BRKicks (Instagram)