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Playoff Picture: San Antonio Spurs

By Luke Duffy

Apr 10, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players celebrate after defeating the Houston Rockets 104-103 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs players celebrate after defeating the Houston Rockets 104-103 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 /

Potential X-Factor

Kawhi Leonard

He might still yet win the Defensive Player of the Year award. He’d certainly deserve it as well, although he did miss considerable time through injury this season. A Finals MVP already, he’s the only guy in the league who can successfully lock down LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony in consecutive nights. Seriously, he’s an amazing one on one defender.

He leads the league in steals (2.3 per game) and it’s really not all that close. There have been some growing pains as this team gradually transitions to becoming his, but he’s still posting career highs in a lot of statistically categories. His 16.6 points per game is great for this team and keeps the offense humming.

Season Age G GS MP FG% 3P% 2P% FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS
2013-14 22 66 65 29.1 .522 .379 .579 .802 6.2 2.0 1.7 0.8 1.2 1.9 12.8
2014-15 23 63 63 31.7 .480 .349 .521 .800 7.2 2.5 2.3 0.7 1.5 2.0 16.6
Career 251 224 28.9 .497 .368 .546 .802 6.1 1.8 1.8 0.6 1.1 1.7 12.3

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

He’s taking more three more shots per game than he did last season, further proof that more of the offense is flowing through him. His Player Efficiency Rating of 22.31 (Duncan’s is 22.34) is also easily a career high, and further proof he’s crucial to this team’s success. He’ll need to be at his defensive best if this team are to once again go all the way.

The possibility of this guy guarding Stephen Curry over the course of a seven-game series is mouthwatering.

Next: Would You Bet Against This Team?

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