Spurs' Kawhi Leonard top choice amongst NBA execs
The San Antonio Spurs young star Kawhi Leonard has already become a household name in just his fifth year in the NBA. ESPN’s Jeff Goodman polled NBA executives on top front court players and Leonard was mentioned by many.
ESPN’s Jeff Goodman polled the 32 NBA executives on which front-court player age 25 or younger they would take on their teams.
Sitting and thinking of the front-court players in the NBA there are some great talents in the pool. Two of the top three choices may surprise you but whom was chosen No. 1 may not.
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard was on the top of the list.
Leonard has already racked up accolades that usually takes others time to accomplish: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, 2013-14 Finals MVP, 2015-16 All-NBA and named to the leagues All-Defensive team three times as well.
The Klaw is known for being a defensive specialist, but what has really come to light is how impactful he has come with his offensive skills.
As a scorer, he has become an integral part of the Spurs’ success, so far this season. Leonard’s ability to impact both sides of the floor makes him a matchup nightmare for any team in the league.
Leonard, whom is the quite type continues to make noise on the floor. He is San Antonio’s first option on the offensive end. He is attracting more attention than most which leads him to find open players.
His three assists per game this year is one better than his career average.
On opening night, on National television against the revamped Golden State Warriors with their addition of Kevin Durant, Leonard led the Spurs to an impressive win. Leonard on that night showed exactly how dominant he can be on both sides of the ball.
Leonard finished with 35 points, and showed not on the Warriors, but the rest of the NBA that he is here to lead HIS Spurs to a title run.
Every year since his rookie season (2011-12), Leonard has improved offensively. He has come from averaging just 7.9 points to this season, 24.0.
Back to Goodman’s polls, do you think the NBA executives got their choice right?
(H/T News 4 San Antonio Spurs Zone)
More from Air Alamo