SOME NBA players claim to tune out when it comes to media and opinionated comments on their play or decisions. Regardless of which NBA player you are though if the G.O.A.T Michael Jordan gives you a compliment then you pay attention. This week Jordan has come out claiming that Kawhi Leonard is the best two-way player in the league this season and if he was guarding himself one on one then he would find it difficult to score. Jordan’s claim comes as no surprise to NBA fans who understand Leonard’s dominance, but does anyone else measure up?

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THE first name that jumps to mind for me is (sorry LeBron) Jimmy Butler. the now Timberwolves guard has quickly developed himself as one of the best perimeter guards in today’s NBA, nightly locking horns with the oppositions best wing. LeBron James is probably the next such player that comes to mind with The King showcasing his abilities to suffocate the other teams primary scorer and create YouTube worthy chase down blocks and steals that lead to breakaway dunks. Others who could deserve to be in the conversation include Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Hassan Whiteside, Paul George and Anthony Davis, but let’s not beat around the bush, Kawhi is in a league of his own.

THE offensive side of Leonard’s game evolved last year with the 6th year star averaging a career high 25.5 points a night, while still keeping up his usual numbers in other categories. With Tim Duncan officially hanging up the boots and other members of the Spurs past dominance ageing, Leonard needed to step up in the scoring department so that San Antonio still remained a title chance and that he certainly did. We all know of his defensive capabilities, with back to back Defensive Player of the Year awards already on his resume and a three-time member of the All-Defensive First team. His incredible defensive versatility will once again be on show in 2017 as Leonard and the Spurs look to continue their reign over the inferior tea

HIS incredible defensive versatility will once again be on show in 2017 as Leonard and the Spurs look to continue their lengthy reign over the rest of the NBA. Finishing towards the top of the MVP voting in the past few years is a testament to how dominant Kawhi is in today’s league and his compliment via Jordan is a tribute to how far he has come as a player. Expect him to once again feature atop the MVP and DPOY votes and perhaps even claim both awards with his offensive and defensive talents on show for all to see.

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