Fansided

Kawhi Leonard wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year

By Jack Crosby

April 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after drawing a foul against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after drawing a foul against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs was nemed the NBA Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday

With the NBA Playoffs in full swing now, the postseason awards are starting to come in. On Tuesday, the league honored the best defensive player during the regular season, which happened to be Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.


Throughout the course of the past few successful seasons for the Spurs, which included their NBA title win last season. Leonard has been one of the best defensive forces in the league, and this award is more proof of that.

In helping lead the Spurs to the Western Conference Playoffs this year, Leonard was indeed phenomenal on the defensive end of the floor. In 64 games played for the defending champs this year, Leonard accounted for 45 blocks, 148 steals and 376 defensive rebounds. While a lot of the focus on the Spurs team is put on Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, Leonard’s defensive efforts are just as big a reason why the Spurs remain so consistent in winning to this day.

While Leonard only played in 64 games this season, there really is little doubt in anyone’s mind that he deserved to be named the Defensive Player of the Year for the 2014-15 season.

What did you think? Did Leonard deserve the honor? Let us know in the comments below.

Next: NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All Time

More from NBA

Home/NBA