Not so long ago, in a galaxy circumscribed by Loop 1604, Kawhi Leonard was the 2014 NBA Finals MVP. He followed up his rise to the top of the league by quietly shutting down every star player on each of the other 29 squads, and in doing do, receiving back-to-back Kia Defensive Player of the Year honors. For two seasons he was in the top 3 in voting for the prestigious MVP award and before the 2017-18 season started, he was considered the frontrunner to claim the prize.
Then quadriceps tendinopathy happened, or so we have been told.