Kawhi Leonard gives BLUNT response to doubts of playing consistently for Clippers
Kawhi Leonard dismisses concerns about playing every game for the Clippers, focusing instead on winning championships.
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Kawhi Leonard prioritizes championships over full season play
The LA Clippers kicked off their first preseason game against the Golden State Warriors and without Kawhi Leonard and narrowly lost 91-90. He didn’t get on the court, but he was available courtside throughout the encounter.
His absence may be as a result of the Clippers trying to manage him while he is recovering from a right knee injury that has frequently kept him sidelined. While he is yet to participate in any five-on-five scrimmages and is also not expected to play in the Clippers’ remaining preseason games, Kawhi Leonard asserted that his focus is not on preseason appearances, but rather on staying healthy for the more important parts of the season.
As I get older, guys aren’t doing what I’m doing pretty much… This is what I work for. I strive to get a championship. I’m not out there to try to play 82 games. I’m trying to win. Even tho that’s obligated for me. I try to, but it hasn’t worked out.
Kawhi Leonard told media
Kawhi Leonard: “As I get older, guys aren’t doing what I’m doing pretty much. You don’t see it around the league. Even when I was young… This is what I work for. I strive to get a championship. I’m not out there to try to play 82 games. I’m trying to win. Even tho that’s… pic.twitter.com/mVSdzsrQ0j
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) October 6, 2024
This mindset will be appealing to the Clippers fans as his priority is winning championships, a goal he’s achieved twice in his career. However, since he joined the Clippers, he has yet to bring a championship to the team, which was the franchise’s expectation upon his arrival.
Furthermore, his last full regular season with more than 70 games was in 2016-17 with the San Antonio Spurs, and his championship runs came with the Spurs in 2014 and the Toronto Raptors in 2019. This time he would have to do it all without his usual partner in crime, Paul George.
Kawhi Leonard speaks on relationship with James Harden
Fans, for the past five seasons, have been accustomed to Kawhi Leonard’s primary partner on the LA Clippers as All-Star Paul George. However, with PG13 now gone, The Klaw’s new attack buddy will be James Harden. Although their partnership is new, Leonard revealed that he already shares a strong relationship with Harden.
He made this known during the Clippers media day, where he was asked about his bond with Harden, and he responded with an unexpectedly detailed answer. It will be interesting to see how the two can quickly establish a bond and make the Clippers do better than last season.
I mean the relationship’s been great. He came in last year wanting to win and saying that he wanted to sacrifice and do the things that we needed to do to win games. Going into this year he has the same mindset, and you just want another guy who is like minded and willing to take those risks to win. Yeah, I think it’s a good relationship so far.
Kawhi Leonard told the media
While Leonard and George had a great relationship, their frequent injuries prevented them from reaching their full potential together. Just as how Stephen A. Smith called the partnership a colossal failure, this might be different this coming season as the LA Clippers open the season with a home game against the Phoenix Suns.
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Ubong Archibong
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