2014 Silver-Black Revenge: Kawhi’s First FMVP

In 2014, San Antonio completed the sweetest revenge. A year after blowing a 3-2 lead to Miami, the Spurs returned with near-perfect team play, beating the Heat 4-1 for their 5th title.

The series star was 23-year-old Kawhi Leonard. Tasked with guarding LeBron James, he dropped the four-time MVP’s efficiency to rock bottom while contributing steady mid-range and threes. Averaging near 18 on stunning shooting, he was the uncontested first FMVP of his career.

The Spurs taught a lesson in "passing over isolation." Leonard’s rise also marked a new flag after the GDP (Duncan, Ginobili, Parker) era.

When Popovich and Duncan embraced, the silver-black aesthetic reached its peak.

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