Why Kawhi In China Is A Big Deal

3) Marketing:

• Kawhi Leonard fans have been waiting for the star to garner more of an role on the Jordan brand team. The budding star has had a couple signature products but nothing that has really caught on with the mainstream audience. Now with Leonard traveling the world and appealing to the massive market of China this may change in the near future. Spurs fans would love for their MVP to get his own signature shoe.

2) Spurs Ratings:

• The San Antonio Spurs do well on the national stage but their lesser tier games have been struggling in the ratings department. Leonard being more visible in the off season, even in China, creates more buzz for the star that trickles down to the team. Social media has been filled with his images and highlights as a result of his Chinese excursion; so this could easily create a larger fan base for the quiet star. Leonard also has been showing people a different side of his personality, smiling and having fun, behavior which appeals to the fan base overall.

1) Kawhi’s Personality:

• This trip is an example of the social growth of Leonard and shows that he is making an effort to be more visible in the public eye. Having Leonard running a clinic as the league's premier defensive player not only promotes the league itself but defense as a whole. The casual fan of the NBA has become infatuated with long threes and flashy offensive moves but Leonard can show them another way to put a stamp on a basketball game. Leonard’s tenacity and work ethic will be on full display and will hopefully help garner the star the credit he deserves for playing the game the right way.