Flying under the radar just a year after winning the Finals MVP would be an arduous task for any normal NBA superstar, but this is pretty much business as usual for the NBA’s most valuable inconspicuous player, led the NBA in Defensive Rating at 96.4, and the Spurs defense allows 6.00 fewer points per 100 possessions when Leonard is on the floor than when Leonard is off the floor.
On January 16th, the Spurs were 24-16 and in the 7 seed in the jam-packed Western Conference playoff race. Then, Kawhi Leonard came back, and this team started to resemble the well-oiled machine that dismantled Pat Riley’s Miami Heat dynasty in the 2014 Finals despite ultimately winding up with the 6 seed in the Western Conference.
Even though the path is tough, it appears as if they are poised to make another championship run with Leonard leading the charge.
Leonard Versus Draymond Green
The closest competition Leonard will have in his quest for Defensive Player of the Year will likely be third year Golden State Warriors forward Defensive Real Plus Minus with a score of 1.15. Leonard is constantly overcompensating for the turnstile defense that is allowed by Tony Parker who has a Defensive Real Plus-Minus -3.60.
Leonard's length and foot quickness on defense allows him to pick up his opponents further away from the basket, and his relentlessness on his ball denials are a large factor as to why his opponents aren't able to get up that many shots against him.
Kawhi only allows 9.1 field goal attempts per game compared to Draymond Green's 14.0 field goal attempts. While Kawhi gives up a higher percentage of makes (43.9 percent) than Draymond (38.3 percent), Leonard only gives up 4.0 field goal makes per game compared to the 5.5 field goal makes Green gives up on a nightly basis.
In essence Leonard is working hard on a nightly basis to make sure his opponents don't get up many shots on him, let alone clean looks at the basket.
On the basketball court, Kawhi has built a reputation as a silent assassin of a defensive terror, undaunted by assignment. Off the court, he remains one of the most meek and mysterious potential superstars this league has ever seen.
As the old adage goes, "Offense sells tickets, and defense wins championships." Well, Kawhi has already used his defensive prowess to achieve the latter. Hopefully, his accolades and recognition do not stop there.