Fansided

2017 NBA Playoff awards race: Kawhi Leonard is certainly a robot

By John Buhler

San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets in game five of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
May 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) advances the ball during the third quarter in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) advances the ball during the third quarter in game four of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Improved Player of the Playoffs: John Wall

So far it has been a two-man race for Most Improved Player of the Playoffs. Hayward’s Jazz may have been swept in round two, but he is clearly a star in this league. Look for him to be an impactful player in many postseasons going forward.

That being said, Wizards point guard John Wall has been the story in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. His 2016-17 NBA regular season was one of tremendous growth for the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. He has successfully pivoted into near-superstardom this postseason.

Wall carried a bench-less Wizards team to a series victory over the Southeast Division rival Atlanta Hawks in six games in the Conference Quarterfinals. He now has Washington on the precipice of getting to its first Conference Finals since the team was known as the Bullets.

Wall has shown that he just might be the second-best player in the East behind only James. In 10 2017 NBA playoff games, Wall is averaging 28.8 points, 11.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He is shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from beyond the arc. Wall has successfully found his highest gear as player. The dude is a wizard on the hardwood and an absolute delight to watch go to work on offense.

Home/NBA Playoffs