Hoops Habit
Fansided

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

By Dan Schultz

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
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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

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

Leonard Spurs
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.

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the San Antonio Spurs

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:

Next: Shouldering More Of The Scoring Load

Home/San Antonio Spurs