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Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard wins KIA NBA Defensive Player of the Year for second year running

Kawhi Leonard receiving his second straight DPOY award from KIA Vice President Percy Vaughn.

Early Monday morning, San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard was named the KIA NBA 2015-16 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY). He became the first non-center to win the award in back to back years since Dennis Rodman in did it in 1990 and 1991.

Leonard is also the first perimeter player since Sidney Moncrief (1982-84) to win the DPOY award in consecutive seasons. The small forward also joins Houston Rockets’ legend Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win a NBA Finals MVP and multiple DPOY awards.

The official twitter account of the Spurs were the first to announce the news:

Golden State Warriors’ forward Draymond Green finished second for a second year in a row while Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside came up third. Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Jordan (4th) and Atlanta Hawks’ forward Paul Millsap (5th) rounded up the top 5.

Leonard is the best defensive player on the best defensive team in the league. The Spurs led the league in points allowed (92.9 ppg) and defensive rating (96.6 points per 100 possessions). Leonard’s defensive impact clearly shows in the difference in the team’s defensive rating when he is on and off the floor. 

According to NBA, San Antonio had a defensive rating of 94.9 when he is on the court as compared to 99.2 when he is on the bench. That’s a difference of 4.3 points per 100 possessions. Leonard also averaged 1.78 steals (12th in the NBA), 5.5 defensive rebounds and a career-high .99 blocks this season.

As the numbers suggest, Leonard has been an absolute beast on the defensive end. However, the greater achievement for him this season would be the huge offensive improvement that he has shown. In 72 games the small forward averaged career highs of 21.2 points and 2.6 assists. His importance to the team is shown via the ESPN’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER). Leonard has a PER of 26.11, which is seventh best in the league.

Balloting results

Last year’s voting  for the Defensive Player of the Years was a lot closer with Draymond Green missing out by just 16 points. This year, however, wasn't as close with Leonard running out as a clear winner. Here are the balloting results for the 2015-16 Defensive Player of the Year Award:

Balloting results for the 2015-16 KIA NBA Defensive Player of the Year
PlayerTeam1st place votes (5 pts)2nd place (3 pts)3rd place (1pt)Total points
Kawhi LeonardSan Antonio Spurs84414547
Draymond GreenGolden State Warriors446215421
Hassan WhitesideMiami Heat2123783
DeAndre JordanLos Angeles Clippers072950
Paul MillsapAtlanta Hawks031221
Avery BradleyBoston Celtics011114
Rudy GobertUtah Jazz011013
Tony AllenMemphis Grizzlies0125
Anthony DavisNew Orleans Pelicans0114
Andre DrummondDetroit Pistons0103
Jimmy ButlerChicago Bulls0022
LeBron JamesCleveland Cavaliers0022
Trevor ArizaHouston Rockets0011
Jae CrowderBoston Celtics0011
Al HorfordAtlanta Hawks0011
Kyle LowryToronto Raptors0011
Chris PaulLos Angeles Clippers0011

Leonard will be presented with the DPOY trophy in front of home fans before Game 2 of the first round match-up series between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Spurs. San Antonio romped to a  32 point win over Memphis, in which Leonard scored 20 points, had four blocks and three steals while grabbing two rebounds. 

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