Predicting this season's All-NBA first and second teams

Forward: Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard

Many people have already declared CJ McCollum as the most improved player in the league, but as is with almost every Spurs player, Leonard might have gotten a raw deal on this one. Leonard’s rise and evolution into becoming one of the top 5 players in the game has been nothing short of astounding.

Compare his game now to the skill-set he entered the league with. The difference is staggering. An excellent rebounder for his position and the best defensive player in the league, Leonard has evolved into a primal offensive option for the Spurs.

His numbers in 2014-15 : 16.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 47% shooting from the field and 34% shooting from beyond the arc. In 2015-16, he averaged 21.2 ppg, 7rpg, and most critically his three-point shooting percentage has jumped to 44% and his field goal percentage to 51%.

He is one of the better shooters in the game now and from a 3-and-D guy he has transformed himself to become the best two-way superstar in the league. He may still be a dark horse in the MVP voting but if anyone has been the backbone of the Spurs 39-1 home record and their season till now it has been Leonard.