NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Stars And Snubs Form The Top 20

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Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Position: Small Forward
Age: 25 (6/29/1991)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .490/.413/.912
2016-17 Season Averages: 33.6 MPG, 25.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 2.1 3PM

The San Antonio Spurs have the second-best record in the NBA and one could easily argue that there isn’t another All-Star on the roster. LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol are big names, but neither have played at an All-Star level.

When one player is as valuable to team success as Leonard has been to the Spurs’ 36-9 record, it’s hard to do anything but put them in the MVP conversation.

Leonard has been a Top 5-to-10 player throughout this season, but he made a massive leap this past week. He went toe-to-toe with LeBron James and outplayed the four-time MVP on both ends of the floor.

For those who missed it, Leonard went off for a career-high 41 points, six rebounds, five assists, one block, and a steal in a 118-115 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Spurs are going to win games with or without Leonard, but he makes San Antonio a legitimate contender. He’s complemented his dominant defensive prowess with a new reputation as an elite scoring threat.

Having scored at least 30 points in six consecutive games, Leonard is realizing his potential before our very eyes.