News came down Monday morning that Kawhi Leonard has been selected as the player of the year for the 2nd consecutive season.
Kawhi Leonard of the @Spurs named 2015-16 @Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year! #KiaDPOY pic.twitter.com/BtSWkej3fv
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2016
Leonard is the best two way player in the NBA today and has taken his offensive game to the next level this season, averaging 21-6-2 on 50-44-87 percent shooting.
Kawhi Leonard averaged 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game and was ranked 3rd in defensive rating, 2nd in defensive win shares and 9th in defensive plus/minus.
He joins elite company as a winner of back to back defensive player of the year awards:
Back to back DPOYs
Sidney Moncrief
Dennis Rodman
Hakeem Olajuwon
Dikembe Mutombo
Alonzo Mourning
Ben Wallace
Dwight Howard
Kawhi Leonard— Full Court Prez (@fullcourtprez) April 18, 2016
Of that list, the only other wing player to win back to back defensive player of the year awards was former Milwaukee Bucks star guard Sidney Moncrief.
Kawhi Leonard is 2nd perimeter player in NBA history to win award in consecutive seasons, joining Sidney Moncrief. pic.twitter.com/gMgbwQo1QC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 18, 2016
Leonard also joins Hakeem Olajuwon as the only player in NBA history to win an NBA Finals MVP award and multiple NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards.
