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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Star Break Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), forward Draymond Green (23), and guard Klay Thompson (11) hold their all star jerseys before the game against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), forward Draymond Green (23), and guard Klay Thompson (11) hold their all star jerseys before the game against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 10, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) high fives teammates after making the game winning basket to beat the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. San Antonio defeated Orlando 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) high fives teammates after making the game winning basket to beat the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. San Antonio defeated Orlando 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Last Rank: No. 5

Position: Small Forward

Age: 24

Slash Line: .510/.481/.875

Season Averages: 32.5 MPG, 20.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 ORPG, 2.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.8 3PM

Kawhi Leonard is widely regarded as the most dominant perimeter defender in the NBA. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year and 2014 Finals MVP is adding another accolade to his growing resume in 2015-16: first-time All-Star.

If his dominant defense and explosively efficient offensive attack weren’t enough, he added fearlessness in the clutch to his repertoire.

Leonard’s evolution into an NBA superstar has been completed. He already owns a championship ring and two prestigious awards, and is developing into one of the most valuable and efficient offensive players in the Association.

Not only is Leonard averaging 20-plus points on better than 50 percent shooting from the field, but he’s converting an obscene 48.1 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

For the season, Leonard is No. 2 in the NBA in Win Shares per 48 minutes—an illustration of his value to the 45-8 San Antonio Spurs. He’s the team’s leading scorer and defensive ace, and anchors most offensive sets by attacking the mid-post and setting the team’s unparalleled ball movement into motion.

Many statistics are in his favor, but one must watch Leonard to truly understand and appreciate his value to one of the NBA’s most powerful teams.

Next: Sensational Statistics