New ESPN Survey of Coaches and Talent Evaluators Anoints Kawhi Leonard as NBA's Best Player

It's hard to argue with Kawhi Leonard's résumé over the past year. He's taken home a fair share of awards, and now he's been given an impressive, yet unofficial, title within the NBA.

The Board Man was named the best player in the NBA according to a survey conducted by ESPN, besting reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and runner-up James Harden.

Leonard made the most out of this past season. The Klaw made his mark in Toronto by delivering the city their first championship in franchise history. His time with the Raptors was strictly business though, as Leonard went through with his original plans by signing with the Clippers and becoming the first Finals MVP to leave their team immediately after winning the award.

Leonard only played in 60 games during the regular season due to load management, putting up 26.6 points per game on nearly 50% shooting. He added 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and almost 2 steals per game.

The playoffs, however, are where Leonard cemented his place as the best in the league. He averaged 30.5 points per game, 9.1 rebounds and just under 4 assists per game. He was also incredible defensively, locking down key players on opposing teams during the postseason.

Not to mention he went right at 2018-19 MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo -- who is the league's second-best player according to the ESPN survey -- in the Eastern Conference Finals.

What's more, Leonard changed the very landscape of the league by shockingly bringing Paul George with him to the Clippers, much to the chagrin of Laker fans. Leonard quietly demonstrated his recruiting savvy behind the scenes and nobody had a clue.

Leonard walks to the beat of his own drum and has had one of the best years an NBA player could have. It's only right that as former King of the North, he enters next season as the top player in the league.