{"id":31501,"date":"2020-06-28T08:00:38","date_gmt":"2020-06-28T12:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=31501"},"modified":"2024-12-14T17:13:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-14T22:13:20","slug":"last-word-on-pro-basketballs-top-30-nba-players-kawhi-leonard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/06\/28\/last-word-on-pro-basketballs-top-30-nba-players-kawhi-leonard\/","title":{"rendered":"Last Word on Pro Basketball\u2019s Top 30 NBA Players: Kawhi Leonard"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although ranking the top 30 NBA players in today\u2019s game is an incredibly difficult task, The Last Word on Pro Basketball staff has taken it on. Coming in at number 3 in the countdown is Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> small forward Kawhi Leonard<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Top 30 NBA Players<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Number 3 \u2013 Kawhi Leonard<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kawhi Leonard played for the San Diego State Aztecs in college from 2009-11. In the 2009-10 rookie season in college, he averaged 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds. He led his team to win the Mountain West Conference and to get into the NCAA Tournament. They would lose to Tennessee in the first round 62-59.<\/p>\n

In his sophomore year, Leonard averaged 15.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. His team would win the Mountain West Conference again and make the Sweet 16. However, they lost to eventual champions Connecticut. As a result of his play at college, his jersey was retired by the San Diego State Aztecs according to City News Service<\/a>. He was the first player in the program’s history to have his number retired.<\/p>\n

Leonard was selected 15th<\/sup> by the Indiana Pacers<\/a> in the 2011 NBA draft. However, the small forward from San Diego State was traded at draft night to the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> along with Erazem Lorbek<\/a><\/strong> and Davis Bertans<\/a><\/strong>. According to Sporting News<\/a>, the Pacers got George Hill<\/a><\/strong> from the Spurs.<\/p>\n

Leonard had a productive rookie season. He finished fourth in NBA Rookie of the Year Award according to NBA.com<\/a>. At the start of his career, Leonard\u2019s offensive stats were not that impressive. However, his incredible defense is what made him stand out early in his career.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the NBA championship DNA for Leonard existed at day one in the NBA. The Spurs were always contending to become NBA champions with great players such as Tim Duncan<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

His defensive prowess served the Spurs well in 2013 and 2014. In the 2013 NBA playoffs, he made it to the Finals but lost to the Miami Heat<\/a> in seven games. However, the Spurs would get revenge in 2014 and Leonard won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. He would also win the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in 2019 against the Golden State Warriors<\/a> as a member of the Toronto Raptors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the 2019 NBA offseason, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers and was introduced with Paul George<\/a><\/strong> in a press conference.<\/p>\n

\n

All smiles in SoCal. \ud83d\ude01 pic.twitter.com\/GkN7aT0Sgu<\/a><\/p>\n

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 24, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n