[OhCanada-Participant]

Undisputed best player in the league right now. He really has developed into one of the best basketball players of all time. Right up there with the legends Jordan, Kareem, Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kobe, etc. Would honestly take this years version of Kawhi over any version of Lebron because he is more effective off the ball which keeps the rest of the team active and prevents ball watching.

Last year in the playoffs he developed his playmaking skills and now his passing is unreal. Hes truly a complete player, everything you want in a basketball player. He’s only 28 years old as well so we should get another 5 or 6 years of G.O.A.T. Kawhi Leonard. I just hope he stays healthy because it really is a joy to watch him play.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 idk man, ive been watching basketball since the 80’s and lebron is still the best player ive ever seen. that being said, kawhi is insane. he’s really developed his ballhandling and playmaking.

[The GoatParticipant]

<I've watched the NBA since the mid 80s. I think MJ is still the GOAT. Lebron and Kobe are right there, Magic and Bird were in a less athletic era but they are under appreciated and definitely right up there. They are all in the same group for mine. The other players in the best of all time group are predominantly big men – Kareem, Wilt, Shaq, Russell, Duncan, Hakeem. I've named 11 guys there but Kawhi is very close to joining this group.

It starts to get more debatable as you go, but I think he's firmly in the next tier right now with Barkley, Durant, KMalone, Stockton, Pippen, KG and Curry. You add in Oscar, then you have to think about Russ, and if you add Russ, why not Wade or Harden, and on you go.. but there is no debate from me if Kawhi does it again with the Clippers. He'll be in the first group.

[The GoatParticipant]

 Wtf I don’t know why that didn’t work.. anyway, take 2

I’ve watched the NBA since the mid 80s. I think MJ is still the GOAT, but the other guys right there are Lebron, Kobe, Magic and Bird who are both from a less athletic era but very underappreciated. They other guys at the top are all bigs – Kareem, Duncan, Wilt, Russell, Shaq and Hakeem. That’s 11. 

It’s get more debatable after this, but Kawhi is firmly in the next group with Barkley, Stockton, Malone, Curry, Pippen, KG,  Durant.. but if you say Oscar then you ask why not Russ, or Wade or Harden and on you go. But if Kawhi goes mad and the Clips win with him driving it again, he’s gotta be pretty damn close to that top group.

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 He won a title in Toronto beating the best team in NBA history. He lead the sour to a championship over the Heat big 3.

Kawhi is already in that top level. 

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 No way Im thinking a 4 game sample size of Kawhi over 2012-2013 Lebron lol, hell nah, not sure why you got likes on that

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Four game sample size? He just won the NBA Finals MVP.

[halfdecayedParticipant]

Oh please, no KD no Klay, Embiid’s tummy aches.. Your bias against Lebron is well known, because he opened a broom store right in front of your house the last few years.. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

This thread has nothing to do with Lebron. I have no bias against Lebron at all he just flops and whines too much thats all that annoys me. I think hes an amazing player, maybe Top 5 alltime. But I yeah I think the form Leonard has been in is just the better player. He’s like a bigger Kobe. Lebron has had the much better career and stats.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I agree he is probably the best overall player in the game right now, although I definitely wouldn’t say it’s undisputed (I still can’t say for certain I’d taken him over a healthy KD). However, I think he needs to perform at this level for a while longer before we can even put him in the discussion as one of the all-time greats. The guys that you mentioned all dominated the league and were among the best players in the game for at least a decade or more. Kawhi still has a ways to go in that regard. 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Kawhi has no holes in his offensive skill-set. He’s an elite player defensively. He’s clutch at both ends. He reminds me of a quiet MJ. The way he gets to his spots on the floor. His footwork. His poise. The way he competes. 

Even if KD were healthy, I’d be unsure who was the better player between Kawhi and him. And that’s saying something because KD is unbelievable. 

With PG as his running mate and the supporting cast he has, LAC could win the next two championships. Like it’s not crazy to suggest it. If that happens, then people have to start putting Kawhi in the conversation with the All-Time greats. 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

And I’ve been saying this for a few years, BUT…Leonard is MJ without all the Flashy Dunks/Tongue Waggin and Shoe Deal…

He plays so much MJ it’s crazy, just does whatever he wants and never looks Rushed/Panicked 

He’s the Best NBA Player right Now and it’s not really close IMO 

[HitsterParticipant]

Kawhi doesn’t put up the numbers that the other great players do in the regular season but he is “Mr Play Off”. He was a free throw away from already being a triple NBA Champion which would have put him ahead of LBJ/D-Wade etc.

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