BillMc
04-07-2015, 01:04 PM
This article doesn't actually go into any detail (or case for why Kawhi should be DPOY) but thought I'd post it anyway. He seems to have a strong candidacy to me, and the only real points against are number of games missed and the fact that Duncan could also get some votes and split any "Spurs vote."
Here's the article:
http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/kawhi-leonards-case-for-defensive-player-of-the-year-040615
Kawhi Leonard just might swoop in and steal the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award.
The soft-spoken San Antonio forward has played in only 59 games this season because of injuries, but he is healthy at the right time to help theSpurs (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs-team) surge up the Western Conference ladder as the playoffs approach.
The Spurs have won seven straight and Leonard is leading the way with some truly dominant defense. He had seven steals in a victory over theGolden State Warriors (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/golden-state-warriors-team) on Sunday night and has at least four swipes in seven of the last 15 games.
''He is really playing confidently, but he hasn't forgotten to predicate his game on the defense and on the boards,'' Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. ''It kind of fuels him offensively. Our guys know how to give him his room. We are learning it better and better.''
Leonard missed 17 of 19 games from Dec. 10 to Jan. 14, and the defending champions struggled to find the groove that made them so devastating in last year's run to their fifth title. Leonard has given them their mojo back, giving them another staunch perimeter defender alongside Danny Green (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/player/danny-green/663955) and pushed himself into the postseason award conversation.
Golden State's Draymond Green had been considered the front-runner for the award for much of the season, with the Clippers (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers-team)' DeAndre Jordan (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/player/deandre-jordan/551471) and the Grizzlies (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/memphis-grizzlies-team)' Marc Gasol (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/player/marc-gasol/466301) among the others getting consideration.
But the man known as ''The Claw'' for his huge hands - the one who won MVP honors in the NBA Finals last year - is staking a pretty strong claim as the season draws to a close.
''I was just trying to come out here and make it carry over to the playoffs,'' said Leonard, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. ''I'm trying to compete every game and help my team win.''
Here's the article:
http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/kawhi-leonards-case-for-defensive-player-of-the-year-040615
Kawhi Leonard just might swoop in and steal the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award.
The soft-spoken San Antonio forward has played in only 59 games this season because of injuries, but he is healthy at the right time to help theSpurs (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs-team) surge up the Western Conference ladder as the playoffs approach.
The Spurs have won seven straight and Leonard is leading the way with some truly dominant defense. He had seven steals in a victory over theGolden State Warriors (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/golden-state-warriors-team) on Sunday night and has at least four swipes in seven of the last 15 games.
''He is really playing confidently, but he hasn't forgotten to predicate his game on the defense and on the boards,'' Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. ''It kind of fuels him offensively. Our guys know how to give him his room. We are learning it better and better.''
Leonard missed 17 of 19 games from Dec. 10 to Jan. 14, and the defending champions struggled to find the groove that made them so devastating in last year's run to their fifth title. Leonard has given them their mojo back, giving them another staunch perimeter defender alongside Danny Green (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/player/danny-green/663955) and pushed himself into the postseason award conversation.
Golden State's Draymond Green had been considered the front-runner for the award for much of the season, with the Clippers (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/los-angeles-clippers-team)' DeAndre Jordan (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/player/deandre-jordan/551471) and the Grizzlies (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/memphis-grizzlies-team)' Marc Gasol (http://www.foxsports.com/nba/player/marc-gasol/466301) among the others getting consideration.
But the man known as ''The Claw'' for his huge hands - the one who won MVP honors in the NBA Finals last year - is staking a pretty strong claim as the season draws to a close.
''I was just trying to come out here and make it carry over to the playoffs,'' said Leonard, who will be a restricted free agent this summer. ''I'm trying to compete every game and help my team win.''