“You’re just standing” – FRUSTRATED Kawhi Leonard loses cool at Clippers teammate as team drops to 0-5 in James Harden Era

A closer look at the Clippers' struggle: Team tensions rise amid Leonard's outburst.

“You’re just standing” – FRUSTRATED Kawhi Leonard loses cool at Clippers teammate as team drops to 0-5 in James Harden Era

Kawhi Leonard (left) was seen yelling at teammate Ivica Zubac (right) as he was frustrated by the latter zoning out (Credits: Wall Street Journal, 213 Hoops)

The Los Angeles Clippers’ recent struggles have been magnified by an incident involving Kawhi Leonard. During a tense moment in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Leonard expressed his frustration with teammate Ivica Zubac. When James Harden passed the ball to Leonard off a Zubac screen, he found himself facing Marcus Smart, one of the league’s top perimeter defenders.

Leonard became very upset as he expected to find Zubac cutting, but instead got cornered because the latter did not position himself well off-ball. He had to kick the ball out as the shot clock wound down. Frustrated, Kawhi yelled at Zubac:

Yo! You're just standing! Get down there!
YouTube video

Right after this play when a time-out was called, Kawhi walked around aimlessly, possibly to cool his head before going to the bench for a huddle. This moment was emblematic of the Clippers’ ongoing struggles to find cohesion and rhythm on the court, particularly in the wake of integrating Harden into their lineup.

FS Video

The Clippers’ game against the Grizzlies was a microcosm of their season so far. The team, despite its star-studded roster, has struggled to convert this into victories. The frustration from Leonard, usually known for his ‘robot-like’ composure, underscores the level of concern within the team.

Russell Westbrook‘s visible disappointment at being substituted in a crucial moment of the game added to the team’s woes. His reaction, covering his face with a towel and muttering in frustration, was a telling sign of the team’s current state of morale.

Clippers’ woes continue as Kawhi Leonard struggles in game against Nuggets

The Clippers’ downward spiral continued in their game against the Denver Nuggets today. Kawhi, who is usually a reliable performer, had a notably poor game. His struggle to impact the game was evident, and it contributed significantly to the team’s loss. This game further highlighted the challenges the Clippers face in finding a winning formula this season.

Kawhi Leonard drives past Denver Nuggets' guard Jamal Murray
Kawhi Leonard drives past Denver Nuggets’ guard Jamal Murray (27) (Associated Press)

The game against the Nuggets was a critical one for the Clippers, who were desperate to break their losing streak. However, despite valiant efforts by Paul George (35 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) and James Harden (21 points and 4 assists), they fell short, with Leonard’s performance being a focal point of their failure. He went 5/14 from the field, scoring just 15 points. The team’s inability to capitalize on crucial moments was once again their undoing.

As the Clippers navigate through these turbulent times, the pressure continues to mount. The integration of James Harden into the team’s dynamics remains a work in progress, and the recent incidents involving Leonard and Westbrook suggest a need for greater team cohesion and leadership.

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