The 2014-15 Kia Defensive Player of the Year Award is part of the Kia NBA Performance Awards, a series of on court performance awards. This year San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard has won the NBA’s 2014-2015 Defensive Player. The 23-year-old extended his good form into this regular season after winning the NBA MVP Finals award last year in the win over the Miami Heat. Leonard is the first Spurs player to be honored as the league’s top defender since David Robinson in 1991-92.
In the voting system, that swayed voters to give him Defensive Player of the Year over presumptive favorite Draymond Green, whose versatility helped the Warriors play the league’s best defense.
In the competition, San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard prevailing in a close three-way race overGolden State Warriors forward Draymond Green and Los Angeles Clipperscenter DeAndre Jordan.
To the report the most valuable award is voted on by a panel of 129 sportswriters and broadcasters, who each vote for their top three Players receive five points for a first-place vote, three for a second-place vote and one for a third-place vote.
The 23 year old, helped the Spurs limit opponents to 99.6 points allowed per 100 possessions, the third best in the league this season. Plus, San Antonio was 7-8 during his extended absence in December and January, before going on a 10-3 run upon his return.
In a statement, Injuries limited Leonard to just 64 games this season. But he still made an enormous impact, especially on defense. He helped the Spurs finish third in defensive rating with 99.6 points allowed per 100 possessions during the regular season. When he was on the floor, the Spurs allowed just 97.1 points per 100 possessions, a number that jumped to 102.2 when he was not playing.
In addition, coming off a Finals MVP performance that helped San Antonio win the NBA title, Leonard and the Spurs were unable to agree on a contract extension before the start of the 2014-15 season, making him a restricted free agent at season’s end.
David Findley
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