NBA: Six Unlikely Players That Have Saved Their Team’s Season

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

I know it’s not fair to throw a player like Kawhi Leonard on this list. The argument that he is too good is fair. Though, I don’t think anyone envisioned him to make the jump he’s made this season. Heck, some even want to throw him in the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the year award.

He won’t. But he probably should.

Even though many expected the San Antonio Spurs to be good because of their addition of LaMarcus Aldridge alone, it’s Leonard’s accelerated progression that has given the Spurs the team it needs to compete with the likes of the Golden State Warriors.

Leonard is averaging a career high 21 points and seven rebounds on 51 percent shooting from the field and 47 percent from three-point range, which is good for the second-best percentage in the NBA. Add his now-polished offensive game to his suffocating defense and you can see why he’s already one of the best players in the NBA. He’s certainly the best two-way player in the game today.

Next: 6th MOY?