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NBA Player Rankings: Top 10 small forwards for 2016-17

By Tom West

Mar 7, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Kawhi Leonard (2) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats San Antonio 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Kawhi Leonard (2) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats San Antonio 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 19, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is presented the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award before game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is presented the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award before game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

3rd place – Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard’s resume is exceptional for anyone, let alone a 25-year-old who’s taken a five-year journey since entering the league in 2011 from defensive specialist to superstar.

It should be a unanimous opinion for Leonard to be regarded at that status now. While he may not have the shot creation of Kevin Durant and his handle and passing ability could both use some refinement as he continues to hone his game, Leonard has done so much to improve. He’s a legitimate two-way force without question, adding continually impressive scoring ability to compliment his two straight Defensive Player of the Year awards.

There’s more than just “The Claw” now. He isn’t just the league’s best perimeter defender, a mass of persistence, long limbs and ginormous hands that smother opponents all over the floor.

He’s coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 21.2 points per game (up from 16.5 in 2014-15) to go along with 50.6 percent shooting and another career-high in three-point percentage of 44.3. After shooting 34.9 percent from deep the previous season, Leonard was one of the league’s deadlier catch-and-shoot threats with respectable quantity, too (1.8 makes per game, up from one the season before).

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Leonard can simply do so much more with the ball now. He can attack opponents on drives to the rim, back down smaller defenders and operate with a smooth turnaround jumper from the post, ranking in the 84th percentile in isolation plays (per NBA.com). For a former defensive specialist and little else, that kind of efficiency is exceptional.

For reference, Leonard’s 46.2 field goal percentage on isolation plays (among players with at least 50 makes on such plays) was 2nd in the league, far ahead of George’s mark of 34.4.

Leonard has improved every season since entering the NBA. And heading into San Antonio’s post Tim Duncan era, he’ll be looked to even more by the team and its fans as their future — at both ends of the court. He’s certainly deserving of 3rd place.

Next: 2nd place - The NBA's newest villain

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