The NBA is in the midst of its playoffs -- but it is also award season, and for the second straight year -- Kawhi Leonard was given the nod as best defensive player, the San Antonio Spur joining some elite company.

Leonard beat out Draymond Green in voting Monday to become the first non-center to win the award in consecutive seasons since Dennis Rodman in 1989-90 and 1990-91.

Kawhi Leonard wins NBA Defensive MVP for the second consecutive year

The 6-foot-7 Leonard received 84 first-place votes, and 547 points from a panel of 130 sportswriters and broadcasters. Green, the All-Star forward for Golden State, was runner-up for the second straight year, with 44 first-place votes and 421 points.

The soft-spoken Leonard is not one to talk about himself, and was quick to praise his team and teammates.

"Just thank the front office and the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to be able to play and just have the chance to win the award," he said.

"And just thank my family for supporting me throughout my whole NBA career. And most importantly my team mates. I felt like we did a great job this year going in each and every game just being focused and knowing the team's game plan and personnel and just striving to stop the other team."

Leonard was a big reason for San Antonio's success, helping them to a franchise-best 67-15 record this season. They also allowed a league-low 92.9 points per game. Leonard was 12th in the league in steals, and averaged a career-best in blocks -- a shade under one a game.

The Spurs drafted Leonard in 2011 with the intent of filling the defensive void left by the retirement of Bruce Bowen in 2009, and he has filled that role and more -- as he has taken on a larger role offensively this season, averaging a career-high 21.2 points during the regular season.