10 Years of The Klaw: 5 Most memorable moments of Kawhi Leonard's NBA career so far

#3 Becoming the third-youngest NBA Finals MVP

2014 NBA Finals - Practice Day And Media Availability

Magic Johnson holds the top two spots for the youngest player to win an NBA Finals MVP trophy, having done so twice before his 23rd birthday. But Kawhi Leonard also did so while still 22 playing for the San Antonio Spurs.

Despite facing the Miami Heat's fearsome trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Spurs had too much for their opponents and dominated the boards while shooting at 52% from the field and 46% from deep.

The @spurs take game 5 of the 2014 NBA finals 104–87 to claim the title and avenge their previous season's loss to the @MiamiHEAT. @KawhiLeonard had 22 PTS and 10 REB for the Spurs, and was named Finals MVP. pic.twitter.com/oQcBvbbmXH
— NBA Philippines (@NBA_Philippines) June 16, 2020

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In a contest that was over in just five games, Kawhi Leonard walked away as the Finals MVP. Averaging 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, the small forward had a solid series. However, it was his shooting that set him apart from the rest of the Spurs roster, connecting with 61% of field-goal efforts and 58% of threes.

It is no surprise he has developed a reputation over the years for being one of the most efficient scorers in the league.

#2 Leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA Championship

Masai Ujiri and the Toronto Raptors front office risked a lot in 2018 when they traded the nine-year franchise veteran and fan-favorite DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard. However, Leonard would immediately repay the favor that season by leading the organization to its first ever NBA championship and his second NBA Finals MVP award.

Leonard was unstoppable in the playoffs, averaging over 30 points a night, 9.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting at 49% from the field. Not only did he score the miraculous game-winner against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Conference Semifinals, but he also helped the Raptors de-throne the treble-chasing Golden State Warriors.

#1 Game 7 buzzer-beater vs Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers v Toronto Raptors - Game Seven

Buzzer-beating shots are among the finest moments in basketball, especially when they come in the playoffs. It's one thing to make the shot on the biggest stage, but it is another to do so while simultaneously sending your opponent packing as Kawhi Leonard did in 2019.

It was the conference semifinals, and the second-seeded Raptors faced the third-seeded Philadelphia 76ers who had a star-studded lineup of Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons and JJ Redick.

None of the Sixers stars came close to Kawhi Leonard, though, in the thrilling seven-game series. He had two 40+ point nights in the first and last games and averaged 34.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and four assists throughout.

It was in a tightly-fought game seven when Kawhi Leonard made the shot that has defined his career and will go down as one of the greatest NBA playoff moments in history.

With just over four seconds left and the score tied, Leonard received an inbound pass, dribbled the ball all the way over toward his own bench before letting a tough, long-range two fly over the excellent defense of Joel Embiid. The ball bounced around the rim, with the arena falling into silence, before eventually dropping in and giving the Raptors the series win.