Kawhi Leonard had HILARIOUS reaction to Doc Rivers comparing him to Michael Jordan
Intriguing story of the $50,000 fine incurred by Doc Rivers for comparing Kawhi Leonard to Michael Jordan just before the 2019 NBA Finals.
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Kawhi Leonard, Doc Rivers and Michael Jordan (Credits: ESPN, SI, and ABC News)
Similar to most individuals, Kawhi Leonard aspires to emulate Michael Jordan’s greatness. Perhaps not in a literal sense, but as a devoted student of the game, he openly acknowledges gleaning insights from the GOAT himself. When your playing style exhibits parallels with the likes of Air Jordan, and your fellow athletes acknowledge this resemblance, it serves as a testament to your skill and relentless dedication.
In 2019, when Kawhi Leonard received a compliment from Doc Rivers comparing him to MJ, he was fully engrossed in his basketball responsibilities and didn’t have the luxury to dwell on Doc’s compliment. During that period, Kawhi and the Toronto Raptors were deeply immersed in preparations for their showdown against the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals.
Leonard stated, “Initially, I just ran over it because I was in the playoffs, He’s one of the guys that everyone looks up to from a competitive standpoint and how he approached every game. You try to nitpick what you can take from him and take it into yourself.”
Several distinct facets of Leonard’s playing style bear a resemblance to Jordan’s. For instance, in the Clippers’ victory over Golden State on October 24, Leonard’s pump-fake, executed with one hand, drew comparisons to Jordan’s similar moves. Additionally, in the game against Charlotte on October 28, Leonard showcased his Jordan-esque skills by executing a reverse layup off the glass, complete with an up-and-down motion, against the team owned by Michael Jordan himself.
The Doc Rivers Controversy: Kawhi Leonard’s Jordan-esque Comparison and the $50,000 Fine
One might remember that Doc Rivers made an appearance on Sports Center just before the 2019 NBA Finals and boldly proclaimed Kawhi as the “closest resemblance to Jordan we’ve ever witnessed.” However, this statement incurred a $50,000 fine for tampering since, at that time, Rivers was the head coach of the L.A. Clippers, a team anticipated to vigorously pursue Leonard in free agency following the season.
Rivers contested the fine, contending that he had simply made a comparison based on body types, and it was the media that misconstrued his words. He asserted that the media had inaccurately portrayed the statement. According to Rivers, the discussion had focused on physical attributes, specifically Kawhi’s hands and length, which closely resembled those of Michael Jordan. He emphasized that the whole situation had been blown out of proportion.
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Ritvik Malhotra
(1085 Articles Published)