National Basketball Association

Top 5 Reasons Why Kawhi Leonard Will Win MVP Award This Year

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

After finishing second in the MVP race last season, San Antonio Spurs’ forward Kawhi Leonard is destined to win the award this season

Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles during the second quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

For years, everyone said that the San Antonio Spurs would have to rebuild after Tim Duncan retired. After all, losing arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history would shake up any franchise, even a decorated one like the Spurs.

Fortunately for them, they have been preparing for this transition for a long time. It started back in 2011, when the Spurs were a No. 1 seed in the playoffs. They would go on to lose in shocking fashion to the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies, who defeated them in six games.

It was clear that Richard Jefferson was never going to live up to expectations. The Spurs needed to get younger and even more athletic at the small forward position.

Even though Leonard was projected to go in the top 10 of the 2011 NBA Draft, he fell all the way to the 15th pick where the Indiana Pacers selected him. In typical Spurs fashion they somehow swooped in and acquired him in a draft-night trade for fan favorite George Hill.

At the time, Leonard was raw and talented, but there were many concerns about his shooting, specifically his unorthodox release.

Now five years later, Leonard has emerged as one of the biggest stars in the NBA. He has put a ton of work into his game, slowly accepting more responsibility over time.

A lot of credit also has to go to the Spurs development team, specifically assistant coaches like Chip Engelland and Chad Forcier (who was hired this summer to be the top assistant with the Orlando Magic), who have been instrumental in shaping Leonard into the player he is today.

With Duncan now retired, this is clearly Leonard’s team now. After taking a huge leap last year and becoming a lights-out scorer to go along with his lockdown defense, here are five reasons why he is primed and ready to win his first MVP trophy this season:

Shouldering More Of The Scoring Load

During the course of last season, Kawhi Leonard started to look much more comfortable as the top dog for the Spurs. He wasn’t simply a slash-and-shoot player last season.

His footwork was much better, especially in the post against smaller and weaker defenders, and his mid-range jumper looked ridiculously lethal.

As has been the case throughout his career, Leonard will be required to be even better on offense coming into this year. Leonard shot an impressive 51 percent from the field, and a phenomenal 44 percent clip from the perimeter.

Now, he must be prepared to take more shots and to try to up his scoring average to around 25 points per game.

Luckily for him, this is most likely what the Spurs want him to do coming into this year. Sure, they still have LaMarcus Aldridge and the recently signed Pau Gasol down in the post, but Leonard will undoubtedly remain the No. 1 option on offense.

He will need to be better than last season, showing even more of a killer instinct.

There’s no question that he is one of the most versatile offensive players in the league already. But this season, he will really take hold of the offense this year and up his scoring average.

July 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; USA guard Kevin Durant (5, left) shakes hands with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) after an exhibition basketball game at Oracle Arena. USA defeated China 107-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Sacrifice Stephen Curry Will Make For Kevin Durant

During the last three years, the MVP award has gone to either Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant.

Now, with Durant joining forces with Curry in the Bay Area, both will have to make individual sacrifices in order for them to be successful. This will most likely mean fewer shots for both players, in addition to less gaudy personal stats.

With Durant going to the Golden State Warriors, this creates a unique opportunity for Leonard to leapfrog Curry for the MVP award this year after finishing second in the race last season.

After all, the Warriors went all-in on making history last year, including regular season wins (73) and Curry being the first player ever to get the MVP award unanimously. And still, it didn’t earn them a title.

Curry has already been on record saying he does not envision the Warriors gunning for 74 wins. This means that the Warriors will most likely concentrate more on pacing themselves this year, so that they don’t have a letdown in the NBA Finals again.

If the scoring averages and percentages of Curry and Durant dip a little bit this season, and Kawhi Leonard’s go up, he will be in prime position to claim the MVP award.

Apr 19, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is presented the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award before game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

He’s The Best Two-Way Player In The Game

In addition to his polished offensive game, Kawhi Leonard is the reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He is widely seen as the best defender in the NBA.

One could certainly make a case for the Warriors’ Draymond Green and the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ LeBron James, but ultimately Leonard has been the top defensive weapon in the game.

He can guard multiple positions, all the way from point guard to power forward. His ability to get out on the break and generate offense through his defense is also an enviable trait to possess.

While Curry and Durant are both sensational offensive talents, Leonard is arguably a better all-around player than both of them.

If he can be in position to win a third DPOY award, combined with an increase in offensive production, he and the Spurs will be in terrific shape.

In addition to his defense, Leonard is also an outstanding rebounder. He regularly uses his insane vertical to leap up for rebounds over bigger guys.

When the Spurs play him at the power forward position, he is an incredibly tough matchup for opposing teams.

As Leonard continues to find his footing as the number one option on offense, his passing should also greatly improve.

To put it simply, he’s the total package, and someone who will continue to get better at just the young age of 25.

Mar 12, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (R) defends during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

He Has Less Support Compared To Curry, Durant and LeBron James

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant now have each other in addition to Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, an excellent supporting cast and one of the best coaches in the league in Steve Kerr.

LeBron James has one of the best point guards in the league in Kyrie Irving, in addition to the very talented Kevin Love. James also pretty much has general manager duties as well, as he has been able to pick out his supporting cast piece by piece. Whatever he says, goes.

The Spurs are in overall phenomenal shape. After all, with Gregg Popovich at the helm, they are always going to be competitive.

But they did lose key guys like Tim Duncan, Boris Diaw and David West this past summer. They did gain Pau Gasol, but time will tell how well he fits next to LaMarcus Aldridge down in the post.

The Spurs bench also looks questionable. This is concerning because in their title years, it was always strong. They will still have Manu Ginobili and Patrick Mills off the pine, but their big man rotation (consisting of David Lee and Dewayne Dedmon) is rather suspect right now.

This might require Kawhi Leonard to play more minutes at the 4 spot than he ever has before.

In addition, Tony Parker has also begun showing his age recently and Danny Green’s perimeter shot was a no-show for almost all of last year.

If the Spurs are able to keep pace with both the Warriors and the Cavs, it will make Leonard’s MVP case look very strong.

Dec 15, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks with San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Spurs Will Finish With A Top-2 Record in the Western Conference

The Spurs are destined to finish with either the first or second seed in the Western Conference this year. When they make the playoffs this year, it will be their 20th consecutive season, with Kawhi Leonard leading the charge.

In a crowded, talented field that includes teams like the Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and others, the Spurs will remain near the top.

Like last season, the only team that will be in their way in terms of overall record will be the Warriors. In fact, the Spurs might overtake the Warriors if the Dubs struggle with team chemistry at the beginning of the season.

Should the Spurs finish with either the first or second seed in the West, many will undoubtedly credit Leonard as the leader and the main reason why they were so successful.

If the Spurs finish below third, Leonard’s chances of winning MVP will certainly not be that great. However, if the Spurs finish in the top two, he will be a heavy favorite to win the award.

Above all else, Leonard’s hunger to be great will help put the Spurs in premier position once again. The drive he possesses to be the best player in the league is why he will ultimately seize this award this coming season.

Whether or not this means the Spurs will end up winning the NBA title again remains to be seen. But with someone with Leonard’s skill-set paving the way, the franchise has to feel very good about their future.

He was the Finals MVP in 2014 when the Spurs shocked the Miami Heat. Now it’s his time to prove he has what it takes to be the MVP of the league.

More from Hoops Habit

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Basketball Association