LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are two of the best small forwards of all time and will be compared today.
LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard are two of the best players in the world right now and are among the greatest at their position. As we delve into the 2023-24 season, fans and analysts alike find themselves wondering who is the better player right now. James is leading the Los Angeles Lakers as they look to fight against their 19-21 record and retain a playoff seed.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard is the best player on the Los Angeles Clippers who have been on fire with a 25-13 record and an 8-2 record over the last 10 games. As great as Leonard has been, is he a better player than LeBron James right now? Let’s find out now, taking team performance out of the comparison.
Scoring – LeBron James
In terms of scoring, LeBron James continues to showcase his enduring prowess on the basketball court during the 2023-24 season.
With an impressive average of 24.7 points per game, James combines efficiency with versatility, boasting a field goal percentage of 52.1%. His ability to stretch the floor is evident in his 38.9% success rate from beyond the arc as the best shooter on the Lakers right now.
In comparison to Kawhi Leonard, James holds a slight edge in points per game. Leonard, with 23.9 points per game, exhibits comparable efficiency with a matching 52.1% field goal percentage. While both players share a remarkable accuracy from the field, LeBron’s experience becomes evident as he navigates the complexities of scoring with finesse. He is averaging more points per game and can score more easily thanks to his experience.
Shooting – Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard stands as a precision marksman this season, displaying an impressive scoring average of 23.9 points per game. Leonard’s proficiency on the court is evident in his 52.1% field goal accuracy and an impressive 43.1% success rate from beyond the arc. This remarkable accuracy from long-range adds a lethal dimension to his offensive arsenal, keeping defenders on their toes.
Equally noteworthy is Leonard’s prowess at the free-throw line, where he demonstrates remarkable consistency with an 87.7% success rate. While LeBron James holds a slight edge in points per game, Kawhi Leonard’s shooting proficiency, especially from three-point range and the free-throw line, showcases his ability to impact the game in diverse ways and is a better shooter.
Athleticism – LeBron James
LeBron James, despite entering the seasoned stage of his career at 39 years old, continues to defy the conventional boundaries of athleticism. Standing at an imposing 6’9″ and weighing in at 250 lbs of sheer muscle, James exemplifies a rare combination of size, strength, and agility. What sets LeBron apart, particularly in comparison to Kawhi Leonard, is his physical presence.
With a significant size advantage over Leonard, who stands at 6’7″ and weighs 225 lbs, James possesses the ability to dominate in the paint. This strength becomes a formidable asset, allowing him to power through defenses, secure rebounds, and finish plays with authority.
Defense – Kawhi Leonard
As LeBron James embraces the later stages of his illustrious career at 39 years old, there’s a noticeable shift in focus toward offensive contributions. While maintaining a respectable average of 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, James’s defensive prowess has understandably taken a backseat to his offensive responsibilities.
On the other side of the court, Kawhi Leonard continues to stand out as a defensive stalwart. The 2023-24 season sees Leonard making significant contributions on the defensive end, averaging 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. What sets Leonard apart is his versatility in defending multiple positions at an elite level and the two-time winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award is the greater defender.