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NBA Player Power Rankings: Three-Quarter Season Awards

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) passes in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-91. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) passes in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-91. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Award: Defensive Player of the Year & All-NBA Second Team

Last Rank: No. 5

Position: Small Forward

Age: 24

Slash Line: .507/.466/.877

Season Averages: 32.7 MPG, 20.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.5 SPG, 1.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.8 3PM

You’re still hearing nothing about it, but the San Antonio Spurs are only 3.5 games back of the Golden State Warriors. The driving force behind the Spurs’ success in 2015-16 has been the player whom many pegged as an elite defensive player with a merely solid offensive game.

Not only has Kawhi Leonard maintained his elite defensive play, but he’s developed into one of the most efficiently productive offensive players in the NBA.

Leonard is averaging 20.8 points on 50.7 percent shooting from the field and an insane mark of 46.6 percent from 3-point range. That isn’t a number that exists because of a small sample size; Leonard has already converted more than 100 3-point field goals for the season.

Not only is he producing at a high level, but his efficiency in on par with the best in the NBA.

On the other end, Leonard is the most rational option for Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs are No. 1 in the NBA in defensive efficiency—by a very wide margin—and Leonard trails only Andre Drummond in Defensive Win Shares.

Draymond Green may get it to make up for 2014-15, but Leonard is the clear option for the 2015-16 award.

Next: The Video Game Numbers