NBA 2016/17: 5 things we learnt from the opening week

#4 Kawhi Leonard’s offensive game has sky-rocketed, defensibly so

Kawhi has got his offence going

Kawhi Leonard may not have proclaimed to have set his sights on being this year’s MVP, but much like the ethos of the Spurs organization, he lets his play and the ball do the talking. The two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year, a former Finals MVP, and last year’s runner-up in the MVP race, Kawhi has blossomed into one of the best two-way forces, with a sharp upside in his offensive abilities.

He may not be shooting well enough from deep, but he’s averaging 28 points per game through the first four games of the season (mind you, his career average is 14.4 ppg). He has never been the greatest facilitator, but his knack for forcing turnovers and stealing the ball, make him an incredible offense initiator.

His tenacity to be in the mix of things, coupled with his ever-increasing range and offensive prowess, have also made him a dynamic shooter. With the likes of Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge pounding the offensive glass, second chance opportunities will come aplenty for the Spurs, as was evident against the small-ball lineup of the Warriors on opening night.

What is encouraging also was the fact that he followed up his career night with another 30-point effort. His 35-point outburst against the Warriors definitely made a lot of heads turn, especially from worried coaches who would have to draw plays to get past Leonard and defend him on the offensive end at the same time.

You can undoubtedly expect bigger things from him offensively in the post-Duncan era.