San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, as expected, has won the 2016 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
He won by a good-sized margin, too.
Leonard made a bit of history by becoming the first perimeter player to win this award in back-to-back seasons since should-be-in-the-Hall-of-Fame guard Sidney Moncrief in 1983 and 1984.
Leonard also won the 2014 NBA Finals MVP award, mostly for his excellent defensive performance on then-Miami Heat forward LeBron James.
Leonard and the Spurs have a 1-0 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies. Leonard probably earned Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson’s respect in Game 1 for some A-plus ball denial.
Thumbnail photo via Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports Images
