#3 Kawhi Leonard – San Antonio Spurs
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Season Averages: 21.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists
Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 26.12 (6th best)
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The Reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year has taken huge strides in the development of his offensive game, while maintaining the high standard of defense we associate with his name- Kawhi Leonard. On the offensive end, he has grown not just as a shot maker but also as a facilitator as well, looking for his open teammates on his drives and penetrations.
The two-way eliteness has really spring boarded Leonard into some serious MVP talks.
He is reckoning to repeat as NBA Defensive Player of the Year as well yet it’s his offensive development that has made Leonard a serious candidate. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley went one step ahead and called Leonard “the best player in the world right now” and he said his statement was solely dependent on Leonard’s two way dominance.
However, the only thing that hinders Leonard from being a front runner is the same system that made him a great player in the first place.
The Spurs offensively and defensively depend on a system. They run a system on both ends of the floor, a system where everybody touches the ball till somebody has either a layup or a wide open shot. Often times that system has shifted away from Leonard during the season in order to help LaMarcus Aldridge get accustomed to the team faster.
