Kawhi Leonard leads the Spurs in rebounds per minute and ranks third on the team with an average of 6.0 boards per game.

“I’m just trying to help the team, and if that means rebounding, I’ll do it,” Leonard said. “I have long arms, and I’m trying to develop a way to learn where there ball is going after a miss.”

The strong early start has been pleasing to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who likes the intensity that Leonard has brought to his lineup.

“Kawhi is a blue-collar player,” Popovich said. “That’s his strength right now. Playing defense, going to the boards, getting loose balls. That’s what we expect him to do.”