This is stating the obvious, but prime Michael Jordan was a nightmare. Fast, strong, otherworldly leaping ability, gargantuan hands, and so many tools in his box he'd be the ultimate handyman.

He moved at his pace, made you play his game, got to his spots so easily and rose up so effortlessly that you couldn't do a thing about it. Fadeaway left side? Good. Fadeaway right side? Good. Pull up jumper? No doubt about it. He was an all encompassing force, the type of player that, no matter how good your defense was, you feared.

Well, if you are looking for the guy who reminds us most of the greatest player to ever lace up a pair of basketball shoes? The guy whose game conjures up memories of the GOAT? You can find him. You'd just need your passport to get to him.

The hands. The shoulders. The movements. The moves. Kawhi Leonard is Michael Jordan reincarnated.

I'm not saying that he is Jordan. In my opinion, no one is. But Leonard is a throwback. He's a change of pace from the pull up and step back threes. He's got a post up game, he's got a midrange game, and he's got the three point shot. He is a rare three level scorer in today's league. Defensively, he covers ground. He's fundamentally sound. He gets deflections and, when in the open floor, effortlessly picks the ball up with one hand and dunks it. Jordan-esque. Further, consider his numbers in these playoffs:

31.2 ppg

8.4 rpg

3.3 apg

1.5 spg

51% FG

39% 3PT

88% FT

Now, the closest year you could use to compare those numbers from Leonard to Jordan's playoff numbers is 1997, when Jordan, aged 33, averaged 31.1 / 7.9 / 4.8 / 1.6. Jordan was 46%, 19%, 83%. Keep in my mind that i am not saying that Kawhi Leonard is Michael Jordan, or that he will ever be Michael Jordan. Frankly, it is rather mind boggling that you'd have to go Jordan's second last playoff run to find a stretch where Leonard's numbers are close to his. But what this does speak to is Kawhi's full faceted game. The offense, the defense, and the shooting. For instance, could you compare Lebron James, accolade for accolade, with Michael Jordan? Sure, if you were so inclined. Those debates have taken place all over. But James is a below average free throw shooter. Kevin Durant, though a good defender, is not on Leonard's level. Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't a polished product. Leonard has the style of play similarities to Jordan, which is the key here.

Too often, we get enamored with accolades. We can't compare a player to another because he doesn't have the accomplishments, and, if we do make the comparisons, we are told off. But strip all of that away. Appreciate the skill set. Admire the moves. Study the style of play. Go back and watch Jordan. Then watch Leonard.

All you have to do is watch. You'll see it too.