Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard Wins 2016 NBA Defensive Player Of The Year Award
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.
NBA Defensive player of the year voting:
Kawhi Leonard, 547 points
Draymond Green, 421
Hassan Whiteside, 83
DeAndre Jordan, 50— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) April 18, 2016
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.
That Kawhi Leonard defense can bring out all the frustration https://t.co/79yTm3Bk8n
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 18, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports Images
