With all the buzz surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Russell Westbrook so far this season, few have paid much attention to Kawhi Leonard.
Arguably the most underrated player in the NBA, Leonard scored 30 points with six rebounds Saturday to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 130-101 win against the Brooklyn Nets. Leonard has now scored at least 20 points in 14 of his last 15 games.
Leonard has been one of the best two-way players since being selected with the No. 15 pick in the 2011 draft, and he's now one of the top 10 players in the league.
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Yet, the quiet small forward rarely sees his name in the headlines, which has much to do with the team he plays on. The Spurs are an aging team that doesn't hold the same allure as some of the more heralded teams in the league. But Leonard in just as good as players such as Paul George or Carmelo Anthony when it comes to production.
Maybe a long postseason run — with Leonard now undoubtedly the leader of this team — would be enough to get everyone talking about the NBA's silent star.
Stud of the Night:
Two days, two NBA milestones for LeBron James. One day after passing Elvin Hayes for ninth on the all-time scoring list, James became the first player in NBA history to record 27,000 career points and 7,000 career assists in a 116-105 win against the Charlotte Hornets.
James finished the game with 44 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
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Dud of the Night:
The Golden State Warriors: The normally high-scoring bunch struggled to find the bottom of the net in a 110-89 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies. Kevin Durant led the way with 21 points, but Stephen Curry managed just 17 points. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were held under 10 points, with eight and seven respectively.
Golden State (20-4) didn't pick up its fourth loss last season until Jan. 16 (41st game).
Highlight:
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert is quickly becoming one of the best shot blockers in the league:
There's been a lot of this in the first half!
— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2016
Rudy with 11p/6r/4 BLOCKS@utahjazz lead @SacramentoKings 52-50 at the break. pic.twitter.com/QoKN1lHYmF
Gobert finished the 104-84 win against the Sacramento Kings with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks.
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What's Next:
Celtics (13-10) at Thunder (14-9) 7 p.m. ET — Boston will still be without Isaiah Thomas, who is dealing with a groin injury. Russell Westbrook will be in search of his eighth straight triple-double as he quickly ascends into legendary status without that Durant guy by his side.