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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 /
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Curry Durant
July 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; USA guard Kevin Durant (5, left) shakes hands with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) after an exhibition basketball game at Oracle Arena. USA defeated China 107-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sacrifice Stephen Curry Will Make For Kevin Durant

During the last three years, the MVP award has gone to either Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant.

Now, with Durant joining forces with Curry in the Bay Area, both will have to make individual sacrifices in order for them to be successful. This will most likely mean fewer shots for both players, in addition to less gaudy personal stats.

With Durant going to the Golden State Warriors, this creates a unique opportunity for Leonard to leapfrog Curry for the MVP award this year after finishing second in the race last season.

After all, the Warriors went all-in on making history last year, including regular season wins (73) and Curry being the first player ever to get the MVP award unanimously. And still, it didn’t earn them a title.

Curry has already been on record saying he does not envision the Warriors gunning for 74 wins. This means that the Warriors will most likely concentrate more on pacing themselves this year, so that they don’t have a letdown in the NBA Finals again.

If the scoring averages and percentages of Curry and Durant dip a little bit this season, and Kawhi Leonard’s go up, he will be in prime position to claim the MVP award.

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