Apr 30, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives against Los Angeles Clippers small forward Matt Barnes (22) in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
2. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
6’7” 225 lbs, 24-years-old
2014-2015 Stats: 16.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.3 spg, 0.8 bpg, 48% FG, 80% FT, 35% 3PT, 22.0 PER
Time for some trivia: who is the only player on this list who has been named both defensive player of the year AND MVP of the Finals. That’s right, the answer is Kawhi “The Claw” Leonard.
Could he have fallen any place better than San Antonio? He has excelled under Gregg Popovich and is in the top-5 of the best two-way players in the NBA. Last year, he was first in defensive efficiency (96.4), sixth in defensive win shares (4.4), seventh in box plus/minus (4.1), and second among all small forwards in estimated wins added (11.7).
Putting aside just the statistical evidence, the eye test also rings true. His ability to take over games both defensively and offensively is something to behold and his skill-set is still expanding.
He is an underrated 3-point shooter (career 37%) and he can guard up to four, maybe five, positions. He just wreaks havoc on teams, even including the champion Golden State Warriors.
The scary part is he has not been asked to take a major role offensively yet. With this season possibly being Duncan’s and Ginobli’s last hurrah, he will have an expanded role in the not so distant future. He has upped his points per game every year and his talent has been slightly harnessed by the Spurs system. Rest assured, this young wrecking ball is a star.
He has the ability to play a stretch-4 and has a versatility that is unmatched, despite by some guy named LeBron James. There is no doubt he is a top player and cornerstone in the NBA today. Don’t let his calm and quiet demeanor fool you – this guy is a killer. If you didn’t know already, Kawhi Leonard is a stud and as his role expands so will the rest of his game. I think I just heard some knees start quaking from opponents around the league.
Next: No. 1