Predicting The Next Wave Of NBA All-Stars

Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) speaks during a press conference next to the NBA Finals MVP trophy after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Kawhi Leonard

It’s no surprise I’m considering Leonard to be a lock as an NBA star. I mean, he’s the NBA Finals MVP; they don’t just give the award away to anybody.

Season	G	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P%	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	PTS
2011-12	64	24.0	3.1	6.3	.493	.376	.773	5.1	1.1	1.3	7.9
2012-13	58	31.2	4.5	9.1	.494	.374	.825	6.0	1.6	1.7	11.9
2013-14	66	29.1	5.1	9.8	.522	.379	.802	6.2	2.0	1.7	12.8
Career	188	28.0	4.2	8.4	.505	.376	.803	5.8	1.6	1.6	10.9

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/3/2014.

While Leonard’s stats are skewed toward the middle of the pack in the NBA, I attribute those numbers to Leonard’s role in the Spurs’ offense. Leonard doesn’t have to lead the team in scoring or rebounding. He simply has to guard the opponents’ best wing, and he does it as well as anyone in the league. Anything else Leonard gives the Spurs, his 38 percent three-point shooting or 6.2 rebounds per game or 1.7 steals per game, is just icing on the cake.

Right now, Leonard is doing exactly what head coach Gregg Popovich is making of him, and that’s okay for the meantime. Once Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan are done playing, this will be Leonard’s team, and there’s no doubt in my mind he’s ready for the responsibility.