With so many NBA players having career seasons, awards such as MVP, Most Improved Player, and Rookie of the Year feel like they could go in several directions.
However, the one award that seems to have been locked into an individual player -- at least relative to the other big awards -- is the Defensive Player of the Year going to San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard.
Although he has been a monster on defense, there are several other worthy candidates who could push Leonard during his attempt to collect his third consecutive award as the NBA’s top defender.