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NBA Player Power Rankings: Russell Westbrook Pushing for MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward James Ennis (4) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) steals the ball from New Orleans Pelicans forward James Ennis (4) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Last Rank: No. 5

Position: Small Forward

Slash Line: .508/.458/.883

Season Averages: 32.7 MPG, 20.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 1.9 3PM

Kawhi Leonard is the single most dominant defensive player in the NBA. He locks down his position, anchors the efforts of a San Antonio Spurs team that’s No. 1 in defensive efficiency—by a wide margin, might I add—and is the popular choice to win a second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award.

As for his Top 5 ranking, it’s half past time defense is honored as the critical aspect of the game that it so obviously is.

For those concerned with his offense, don’t be; Leonard is averaging 20.9 points on a slash line of .508/.458/.883. Some will still call him a system player, but those folks likely haven’t watched Leonard and the Spurs play during the 2015-16 NBA regular season.

Leonard isn’t a system player; he’s the player the system has been built around.

Leonard joins Stephen Curry as the only players in the NBA averaging at least 20.0 points per game on 50.0 percent shooting or better from the field, and a mark of at least 45.0 percent from 3-point range. With a minimum of 100 3-point field goals made, the all-time list of players who have done that is brief.

Before Curry and Leonard, only Dale Ellis in 1988-89 had achieved the feat. I guess Leonard’s offensive game is progressing well.

Next: Playoffs Mode