Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard has the wingspan of a condor and hands as big as a bear's paw. But more than anything, he has a tenacity that has put him on a fast track to NBA stardom.
Throw in an exemplary work ethic, an unwavering desire to improve, and some pretty good physical skills to go with a competitive ferocity and team-first attitude, and you've got the profile of this season's winner of the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Leonard, whose quiet demeanor has become almost as big a part of his persona as his huge hands, was characteristically low key when he accepted the award Thursday afternoon at the team's practice facility.
"Aw, man," he said, drawing a good laugh from his audience. "It just feels amazing to win this award. I'd just like to thank my family and my fans for their support and, most important, my teammates and the coaching staff. I can't do this without them.
"The coaches give me a game plan every night, and I just go out there and try to execute it to my best ability. Without having a group of guys that want to play defense, it's very hard to be a great individual defender. They have my back when I'm out there guarding one-on-one. When my man drives by me, the bigs are there for the help."
Leonard, who is 6-foot-7, averaged career highs of 2.31 steals and 5.9 defensive rebounds this season. He led a Spurs defense that held opponents under 100 points per game (97) for the 20th consecutive season. Leonard led the Spurs in steals and also was the top's scorer, averaging 16.5 points.
Leonard is the third Spurs player to receive the award, following Alvin Robertson (1985-86) and David Robinson (1991-92).
Leonard starred at San Diego State for two seasons before turning pro in 2011. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, but was part of a draft-night trade that sent him to San Antonio and Spurs guard George Hill to Indianapolis.
"We've been incredibly fortunate since Kawhi joined our organization," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "He's been a pro since day one. He works every day – before practice, after practice – and is focused on developing himself into a well-rounded player.
"He's a quick learner. He knows that defense comes first. He takes pride in that. He's a great teammate, and he only cares about winning."
Leonard thanked Buford for trading for him, and Coach Gregg Popovich and his assistants for their help in helping him learn how to play in the NBA.
"It's just a great award to win," Leonard said. "I'm happy also to be part of the Spurs' organization. They gave me a championship mindset and they just allowed me to play defense first. I was able to come out and show my ability on the floor each and every night."
That draft-night trade nearly four years ago has turned out to be a win-win situation for Leonard and the Spurs. He has obviously been good for the team and the team has been good for him.
"As you watched him and the things you heard, the things that were important to us seemed to be important to Kawhi," Buford said, reflecting on the thought process of the team's brain trust when it was considering drafting Leonard. "That was the messaging we got from the people he played with, from the coaches he played for, from the coaches he played against."
Buford was asked to elaborate on those "important things."
"A defensive-first mentality, being a good teammate, working on your game," Buford said. "And working on the things that you need to develop, not just doing the things that you like to develop. And then the competitiveness.
"As you look back on the time that our group stayed together, if you're not competitive, it doesn't fit very well. Along with that, a family that cared about him and wanted to be part of his life, and engaged in his growth and maturity."
Called the Spurs' future early in his career Popovich, Leonard has become very much the team's present the past two seasons. After coming heartbreakingly close to winning their fifth NBA title in an epic title series with Miami in 2013, the Silver and Black dethroned the Heat last year.
The linchpin in the dismantling of the Heat, Leonard was named Finals MVP after averaging 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds. He hit 30 of 49 field-goal attempts, including 11 of 19 from 3-point range.
While still the Spurs' top perimeter defender, Leonard has expanded his offensive game by leaps and bounds this season. He has become a proficient shooter through hard work and is a threat to score every time he gets in the open court. Leonard also has developed a post-up game that creates a big matchup headache for most teams.
When he was asked how he balances his increased workload on offense with his defensive responsibilities, Leonard made it clear that defense is still his top priority.
"I just start up the game trying to play defense," he said. "That's how you win, stopping your opponent and let the offense take care of itself."
Leonard said he learned about his defensive award from Popovich on Wednesday.
So what were the general sentiments Coach Pop expressed about Leonard's honor?
"Just happy that I'm being recognized and people are seeing how hard I played on that end," Leonard said. "That's basically it. This ain't the goal for our team at all. Obviously, we want to win another championship. He (Popovich) just wants me to keep pushing forward and try to help us win again this year."
Leonard was asked what it's like playing for Popovich, who has led the Spurs to all five of their titles.
"It's amazing," Leonard said. "Very smart and he's competitive. He's been there before, won five championships. You couldn't ask for a better coach."
The first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award was presented to Milwaukee guard Sidney Moncrief in 1983. Leonard is only the third player since then to be named a Finals MVP and receive the defensive award. Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon are the other two.
"It feels great," Leonard said, when asked his thoughts on joining such elite company. "Growing up as a kid, you watch these players and you want to become who they are. It just shows that hard work pays off when you're winning those awards."
Now Leonard, who turns 24 on June 29, has another trophy to add to a collection that surely will grow each year.
"I'm happy also to be part of the Spurs' organization," Leonard said.
Kia Motors America donated a new 2016 Kia Sorento LX CUV to Respite Care of San Antonio, Inc. on Leonard's behalf. Respite Care of San Antonio provides care for children with special needs who have been taken into protective custody as a result of abuse and neglect.
