San Antonio Spurs: 5 goals for Kawhi Leonard in 2017-18

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game One of the Western Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 14, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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2. Win Defensive Player of the Year Award

In the eyes of most San Antonio Spurs fans, Kawhi Leonard is always the Defensive Player of the Year. When I watch the Spurs play. I find it very hard to dispute this sentiment.

Leonard is without a doubt the leader of the team’s defense. His one-on-one play and his team defense are close to the best in the NBA. His back-to-back DPOYs in 2014-15 and 2015-16 are proof enough of this. Also, he is an almost automatic selection to the NBA’s All-Defensive teams.

For the Spurs to be an elite outfit, Leonard has to reclaim the award he was born for. He has to beat out last year’s winner Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors and potential candidates like Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz and Andre Roberson of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Leonard certainly has the talent to reclaim the award. On top of this, no one can dispute the quiet intensity and passion with which he attacks the basketball.

This year, his determination to win will be out shadowed by very few players. Unfortunately, he is starting the season out a little behind the play as he rehabs a quad injury.

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