Kawhi's Spin Move Was So Sweet That 'Sugar K Leonard' Nickname Might Actually Stick (GIF)

GIF: This Spin Move Will Make You Dizzy
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 19: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot against Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 19, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 19: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot against Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 19, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

There are many words that could be used to describe the jaw-dropping spin move that Kawhi Leonard visited upon Kevin Durant but Shaquille O'Neal would probably prefer if you called it "sweet."

The third-year San Antonio Spurs swingman shredded the Oklahoma City Thunder defense with a GIF-inducing spin through the paint in the opening game of the NBA's Western Conference finals on Monday night. He chipped in 16 points as the Spurs pulled away for a 122-105 win and may have helped cement his new nickname.

(GIF via @cjzero)

O'Neal, who has been known to hand out a nickname or several, announced he would be referring to Spurs' dynamic young star as "Sugar K Leonard" during halftime of the team's series-clinching win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

"I named Paul Pierce 'The Truth.' I named Tim Duncan 'The Big Fundamental.' Kawhi's new name is 'Sugar K Leonard,'" O'Neal announced on TNT's halftime report. "The boy is sweet."

WATCH: Shaq Explains 'Sugar K' Nickname

(Video via BlackSportsOnline)

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