[OhCanada-Participant]

Not many people will outright say he is the best player in the league but I would bet if you asked all the players in the league who they would least like to matchup against he would probally wind up at the top of that list. Best defwnder in the league, gaurds the opposing teams best player, without checking Im gonna say he is the most efficient player in the league and never takes a play off. This guy is something.

In a season where Harden and Westbrook headline the MVP race dropping triple doubles on a nighlty basis, and the Warriors and Cavs are favourites to reach the finals a record third season in a row Kawhi Leonard is quietly in the shadows leading his Spurs into a spoiler position.

He has four straight games with at least 30 points averaging 33-ppg, 5-rpg, 3-apg during that stretch despite not even playing the 4th qaurter in one of the games. Maybe 30-ppg over four games doesnt sound too impressive but keep in mind he still gaurds the opposing teams best play positions 1 to 4 and when you look at the effeciency 67% FG, 56% 3pt, 86% FT. Its just ridiculous and a dream too watch. He’s doing this on 16.5 shots per game. Only 5 turnovers and 5 fouls on that stretch with 1.5 bpg and 1.0 spg.

Now I get the fact that this is only over four games but the point of this thread is…I dont think he is going to stop doing this. His percentages will likely dip but I would not be surprised if he averages 30-7-3 while shooting 50-40-90 and defending the DPOY award and with all this being said I expect him to continue to improve after that because that’s all this guy ever does. Will he end up the most effecient player in NBA history?.  </

[EndlessknightParticipant]

How are you defining efficient?

[OhCanada-Participant]

Im not even gonna lie that question hurt my head.

[OhCanada-Participant]

My question is although his maximum productivity may never reach an output like Lebrons 2016 finals performance does his great perrcentages and elite defence make him more effecient? If so has there ever been a player perfoem so well offensively while not turning the ball over and so sound defensively?

[dudo670Participant]

but if you define the best player to be who impacts wins and losses the most then I don’t see how anyone but Lebron is the best player in the league. I mean you can put him on any team and he wins 40 games. I would argue that Russ and Harden too really affect thei team winning. Not that Kawhi doesn’t, but it’s hard to say for sure because we have no evidence of him playing without any other stars and outside the spurs system. I’m a Kawhi fan just saying I wouldn’t take him over Lebron or Westbrook and maybe not over Harden.

[binetParticipant]

 I am starting to think Embiid falls into that category. The 2017 sixers are actually winning games with TJ McConnell-Nik Stauskas starting in the back court. The on court/off court numbers Embiid has are just stupid all season.

If he keeps up the pace of the last two weeks (which I find very unlikely, one have to admit it’s luck and hot hands also), they indeed could earn a surprising 8th seed like Boston did 2 years ago with a similar record halfway through (thinner competition back then though). He is having the best year/impact a rookie has had in years and should be in the discussion for All NBA teams imo.

 

 

 

[dudo670Participant]

 what Embiid is doing in Philly is remarkable. He’s taking virtually the same team from last year that won 10 games plus Ilyasova and after they struggled early he’s singlehandedly turned them around. Embiid changes the game at both ends when he is in and as long as he’s healthy Philly can beat any team in the league on any given night. 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 +1 to dudo670…those are my exact feelings about kawhi..along with the fact he cant create plays for others and he’s not a great passer….but he’s a tireless worker,that has blossomed into a top 10 player…he’s an exceptional role player….and probably the nba’s best defender….

[PlatParticipant]

 He’s actually fallen off as a defender this year, but his offensive numbers are up so its understandable he just cant put focus on one side of the ball.

[HitsterParticipant]

 I’d define efficiency as the player who can score crucial points for his team in tight matches, has a very good shooting percentage, efficient shooter but may not take bad shots. Not so much they have a big game against bigger teams, that is more a big match player but when he hits 25ppg then his team will rarely lose and when he has a big game he really makes it count. He makes all his actions on court be it on defence or offence count actually.

Tim Duncan at his peak was also a hugely efficient player, other players may have had better stats but Duncan’s 20 plus ppg seasons really counted and was the backbone to a number of titles.

 

 

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