We are going to be clear from the start. If you are going to bet on any player to turn a game around, then you should look to Kawhi Leonard. You should definitely place your money on him to make the play, to get that three-pointer or to make that block that will turn the game in the Clippers favor. Why do we rate him so highly? Well, let’s look at the five traits that make him the NBA’s most-unique, dynamic and dangerous superstar.

Kawhi puts in the work to improve

Kawhi won’t  disrespect the game. When Leonard came out of college he could defend with the best of them. It is no wonder that he went on to win Defender of the Year when he joined the NBA. However, he could not shoot for toffee during his days at college and many thought taking him on would be a project. How could you get this player to score? 

Now, look at him. Within his rookie year at the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard was playing 25 minutes a game and shooting 37% from behind the three-point line. When you looked at all the measures of what makes a great offensive player, Leonard had improved them all. 

While there is no doubt Kawhi Leonard benefited from the impressive record of the Spurs coaching team for developing genuine talent, Leonard applied himself to the lessons he needed to learn. He continues to work on his game every season, even now as the star player for the Clippers. Leonard will always look to improve those stats and move them in an upward trajectory.

Look at the story of when Popovich tells Leonard that he must score more. He pointed out that taking the initiative to score was not egoism but instead great for the team, Leonard stepped up and increased his production. He listened, he learned and he produced.

Kawhi doesn’t need to call attention to himself

Leonard has the habit of just doing his thing, keeping his team in the game with his defense while offering some stellar shooting and rebound stats.  While other players will dance and jig as they add to the points or make a block, Leonard sees it as being part of his job. He has always been an understated player, choosing to deflect the spotlight, while influencing the play on the court.

Leonard has the ability to put his body in the right place at the right time but without the normal fanfare of the modern winger. He is comfortable playing in isolation but he is equally happy to facilitate the offense. Many see this as a general lack of dynamism that you expect from a quintessential winter – however – he that is a misunderstanding.

Leonard might not be an improviser but he is a player with a vision of how the game will play out and therefore does not have to adapt on the spot. He has all the time in the world, like all great players, to see where he needs to be and when.

Kawhi makes the extraordinary look ordinary

Kawhi has made a career putting out expressionless spectacles on both ends of the floor. And he does it with championship results. That’s one of the reasons his Clippers jersey will be one of the hottest sellers this season.

It is fair to say that there are some good players who can sometimes do great things. When they do these great things, they react and so the crowd reacts too. Then, there are great players who do great things – jaw-dropping moves – who just see it as part of their work at the office without fanfare or emotion.

Leonard does and without flinching assumes that everyone would have and could have done the same. The extraordinary for Leonard is just his ordinary. 

While we loved to be entertained, fans also understand that part of Leonard’s quality is this absence. The other teams also forget to pay him attention too. 

Kawhi has a strong opinion about his career

All this talk of an understated man who ducks the limelight does not really do Leonard justice. It makes him seem naive and almost weak. This is far from the truth. When Leonard takes a strong stand and holds to his version of how his career should go then he will take the path he wants. Look at the way he left the Spurs and take note of his choice to join the Clippers. While he may not demand the spotlight, he is a man that understands he is building an NBA career and he is willing to make some tough choices. He might appear to lack intrinsic passion – but don’t let that zen-like exterior fool you.

Kawhi cuts out all the noise and the nonsense

While his moves between franchises come with all the snark and the intrigue of any NBA player, there is a bluntness to Leonard’s approach that is refreshing. On and off the court he strips the game back to its rawest form and does only that which will succeed for his team and his career. He knows what makes sense and then he does it – without building a myth around it as he does it.

While loyalty and what is good for the team are a part of Kawhi Leonard’s DNA, he also knows that this is a business. When he moved from the Spurs to the Raptors and then to the Clippers, at each point people asked: “Why in the hell did he do that?” But, then, you sit back and you watch how the man thrives and becomes a stronger influence in the NBA and you are forced to go: “Oh, I see now.” Like his game, Leonard has a clear vision and can deploy this before anyone else has seen the route never mind the destination.

Also, his hands.