SAN ANTONIO — Gregg Popovich uses a term to remind his San Antonio Spurs of playoff land mines. “Appropriate fear,” he calls it.
Respect your opponent. Don't underestimate the task at hand even when riding a wave of momentum.
Appropriate fear. It's a good term. Wouldn't be a bad idea for the Thunder to adopt it themselves in their quest to beat the Spurs in these Western Conference semifinals, a quest which has gone from uphill to as steep as a lighthouse staircase.
Time for the Thunder to appropriately fear Kawhi Leonard.
The Spurs have a great team, as always.