Kawhi Leonard's season ended with a surprising thud. In his last three playoff games, Leonard shot 29.5 percent from the floor, averaging 14.3 points per game. He brought it on the boards and defensive side of the floor, but the Spurs needed more from their young star, and he wasn't able to supply it.
Here's San Antonio Express-News reporter Dan McCarney with a more detailed (and positive) review of all Leonard accomplished in his fourth NBA season:
"If not a superstar in the standard sense, Leonard’s play down the stretch offered a unique take on the concept. He averaged 19.2 points on 53.6-percent shooting over the final 25 games of the regular season, by far the best extended offensive run of his career. Leonard also averaged 2.7 steals per game over that span, the highlight of his winning push for Defensive Player of the Year. His two-way dominance added up to a staggering plus 19.8 net rating that would have led the league by almost three points over a full season."
Leonard battled injuries throughout the year and wasn't able to carry the necessary scoring load down the stretch, but he still won Defensive Player of the Year and performed like an MVP candidate for the last couple months of the regular season. If anyone in the NBA has a bright future, it's Leonard.
(h/t: San Antonio Express-News)
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay
