It may be time we accept Kawhi Leonard as the most proficient two-end player in the NBA. As a 6’7″ swingman, he can shoot (44 percent from 3), score (51 percent overall from the floor, 87 percent from the line and 21 points per game) and plays defense (7 rebounds, 1.8 steals and a block per game). The latter is where Leonard shines the most, often called upon to shut down the opposing teams best offensive player.
His defensive mastery has made the San Antonio Spurs a consistent elite defensive unit. They allowed the fewest points per game and have a 94.2 defensive rating while Leonard is on the floor. His play on defense helped garner Leonard his second consecutive “Defensive Player of The Year” award.
Via ESPN
For the second straight year, San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard is the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Leonard received 547 points and 84 first-place votes from the voting panel of 130 sportswriters and broadcasters.
Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green (421 points, 44 first-place votes) finished second for the second straight season. He was followed by Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (83 points, two first-place votes) in third.
Leonard is just the second perimeter player in NBA history to win the award in consecutive seasons, joining Milwaukee‘s Sidney Moncrief in 1982-83 and 1983-84, the first two seasons the award was given. Leonard was the first non-big man to win the award since Ron Artest in 2003-04 when he earned the honor last season.
