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NBA Season Preview: 5 best perimeter defenders

By John Buhler

Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) jogs onto the court prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) jogs onto the court prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) smiles before game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) smiles before game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs SF

When it comes to perimeter defense in the NBA, there is Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs and there’s everybody else. Leonard is the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He is coming off his first All-NBA first team selection and his first trip to the NBA All-Star game in 2015-16.

Leonard is the new reluctant superstar of the Gregg Popovich Spurs now that Tim Duncan has called it a career. Though he’s become an amazing offensive player in his own right the last few years, what Leonard has done defensively in five years with the Spurs is otherworldly.

He’s averaged 1.8 steals per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, and 0.7 blocks per game at the small forward position. Leonard is responsible for 19.5 defensive win shares in five seasons. His Defensive Box Plus-Minus has been 2.9 throughout his career.

Next: 5 best off-the-dribble creators

It’ll be almost impossible for Leonard to be better than he has been on the defensive end of the floor. Even if he regresses ever so slightly because of miscues by his teammates, Leonard is still the best perimeter defender in the NBA by a massive margin.

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