Ranking the 30 greatest NBA players of all time…
30. Kawhi Leonard
12 seasons (2011-2021, 2022-present)Rings: 2MVPs: 0
NBA Finals series record: 2-1Playoff record: 87-52 (.626)Playoff stats: 21.3 PPG (51.1% FG) | 7.8 RPG | 2.9 APG
Regular season games played: 696Stats: 20.0 PPG (49.0% FG) | 6.4 RPG | 3.0 APG
Other Accolades
- 2x Finals MVP
- 2x Defensive Player of the Year
- 6x All-Star
- 6x All-NBA
- 7x All-Defense
- Steals Champ (2015)
HoopsHype on Leonard:
“Kawhi Leonard once owned the distinction of having the highest winning percentage in NBA regular-season history but that is no longer the case. Leonard was a secondary character in his first title run (until the 2014 Finals, at least) but led the Raptors to the mountaintop on his back.”
“Always steady, even in the highest of pressure situations, and the King of Load Management, ranking Kawhi is a bit tricky considering how much time he misses due to injury.”
“Regardless, he’s an all-timer based on accolades, production and impact as one of the best mid-range scorers and defensive wings ever, one with a clutch gene, too.”
Complex’s Zion Olojede on Leonard:
“There’s really only one thing Kawhi Leonard has left to accomplish in his career. That’s a league MVP award, but I don’t think we should knock him for that if that’s missing from his résumé when he ultimately retires.”
“He has the two Defensive Player of the Years, the two Finals MVPs, he’s put a franchise on his back en route to an NBA title, he made the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, and he’s pretty much won his entire career.”
“His season with the Raptors catapulted him up the all time ranks, if we’re being transparent. But if you hold being a third or fourth option in the Spurs system against him, you also have to consider the other side—what if he got the keys to a team earlier than he did?”
But who tops Kawhi as the No. 29 greatest player of all time? Find out below.
More NBA: Ranking the greatest NBA players of all time: No. 29
