The refashioned Spurs (11-3) can beat you lots of ways. But the one very consistent factor in this season’s Spurs victories isn’t emerging from new blood David West or LaMarcus Aldridge (though they’ve played well), it’s from NBA MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard. Leonard, last year’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year, is now the Spurs most versatile offensive weapon. But more than that it’s Leonard’s all-around contributions — his stat line is often the richest in the game, with treasure in every category.
In Monday’s stifling 98-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Leonard scored 24 on 11-18 shooting despite going to the line just once. He also grabbed 13 boards, picked up four steals and dished four assists all in a relatively low-scoring affair. Leonard, whose defense is textbook lockdown, committed just one personal foul. Tony Parker shot 11-13 for the Spurs, playing without Aldridge who sat out with an ankle sprain.
