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Kawhi Leonard Is Now a Ruthlessly Efficient Karate Man

Kawhi is going to "chop y'all up … karate style."
Screen capture via Twitter/@ZachRogacion

Kawhi Leonard is set to return to the Spurs this evening after missing San Antonio's first 27 games with a quad injury. To celebrate his return, to the extent that Kawhi Leonard "celebrates" anything, he posted a video in which he shows off some new karate skills.

Part of Kawhi's appeal is that he is not only one of the five or six best basketball players on the planet, but he shows virtually no emotion about anything, ever. What's better than cooking a defender and pumping up the crowd? Cooking a defender and not even considering it a moment worth remembering. His opponent is not worth occupying space in his brain. It's not disdain or contempt, it's whatever man, I just do this.

And so it is not at all surprising that he takes to karate in much the same way. In the video, Kawhi is seen propelling his fists through three wooden planks with an emotional register to match his targets. It sounds like the most boring thing in the world, and yet is somehow absolutely thrilling. That is the Kawhi mystique.

The Spurs tip off against the Dallas Mavericks tonight at 8:30 PM EST.