NBA Draft Class Comparison: 2009 vs 2011 - Which one was better?

Individual accolades

Kawhi Leonard - the 2014 NBA Finals MVP

This one is going to be technical so pay attention to how points will be scored. The draft class with the most physical awards (i.e MVP, sixth man, defensive player) will receive one point. All-NBA first teams will add 3 points, All-NBA second teams will add 2 points, and All-NBA third teams will add 1 point. Similarly, All-Defensive first teams will add 2 points and All-Defensive third teams will add 1 point.

2009 NBA draft:

Awards total: 4; All-NBA First team totals: 6; All-NBA Second team totals: 4; All-NBA third team totals: 5; All-Defensive first team totals: 1; All-Defensive second team totals: 0

Total points for the individual accolades category: 36

Main Contributors:

Stephen Curry - 2 MVPs, 2 All-NBA 1st teams, 2 All-NBA 2nd team

Harden - 1 MVP, 1 Sixth Man of the Year, 4 All-NBA 1st team, 1 All-NBA 3rd team

2011 NBA Draft:

Awards total: 3; All-NBA First team totals: 2; All-NBA Second team totals: 1; All-NBA third team totals: 5; All-Defensive first team totals: 3; All-Defensive second team totals: 5

Total points for the individual accolades category: 27

Main contributors:

Kawhi Leonard: 2x Defensive player of the Year, 1x Finals MVP; 2x All-NBA 1st team, 3x All NBA-Defensive 1st team, 1 All-NBA-Defensive 2nd team

Jimmy Butler: 2x All-NBA 3rd team, 4x All-NBA Defensive 2nd team

Updated score: 2009 - 37 points, 2011- 27 points

It appears that James Harden is arguably contributing the most points among any player from both draft classes. The beard is just showing how many years he has been a superstar as well as how long he has waited for his MVP award. What is interesting to note is the impact that Kevin Durant has had on Klay Thompson.

It is obvious Golden State knows how to move the ball around, but it definitely is apparent that Durant joining the Warriors has caused Thompson to take a smaller role and become the tertiary option which is why his accolades aren't as numerous as his peers. Kawhi Leonard dominates this category with his 2x Defensive player of the Year awards and his finals MVP. Raptors/Lakers fans should get excited.