Kawhi Leonard has cited repetition as a major part of his basketball development. He looks back on day after day in the gym with assistant coaches Chip Engelland and Chad Forcier, or the plays and drills he’s run with teammates over and over that shaped him into the NBA player he is today.
Leonard went through another bit of repetition on Monday, when he accepted the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award for the second straight year.
Only eight players have won the award in back-to-back seasons, including Hakeem Olajuwon, Dikembe Mutombo and Sidney Moncrief. Leonard is one of three non-centers to accomplish the feat.