During Wednesday afternoon’s introductory press conference, LA Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George provided some health updates.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were two of the game’s best players in 2019, and now, both will play together for the LA Clippers. Leonard earned Finals MVP after leading his Toronto Raptors to victory over the Golden State Warriors, and George was a top-three MVP candidate whose Oklahoma City Thunder fell short in the first round of the playoffs.
Despite all they did in 2019, though, they could have been better. That’s no fault of their own — both players suffered through injuries this past season, and as they enter the 2019-2020 campaign, their health will remain a talking point.
Leonard’s injury was one that he continued to rehab all season long, keeping him from playing in any back-to-back games for the Toronto Raptors. He appeared in just 60 contests during the year, and near the end of the playoffs, the two-way star was looking hobbled.
George, on the other hand, was healthy until the end of the regular season, when he began to suffer through some shoulder issues. He’s since undergone two surgeries, and his timetable for return was unknown entering Wednesday’s presser.
Both Leonard and George provided updates during the event, and the news is as positive as LA Clippers fans can hope for.
Leonard said that he wasn’t fully healthy going into the 2018-2019 season, but that he’ll be at full strength entering the upcoming season and that his goal is to play all 82 games. He also added that load management will be determined on a game-by-game basis.
George, on the other hand, said there is still no set date for his return, but that he’s been progressing and is at a great point in his rehabilitation.
From the sounds of it, the Clippers may need to worry more about managing George’s load than Leonard’s — at least at the beginning of the season. Luckily, this is something the Clippers have planned for, and with the reserves they’ve got on the bench, LA will be able to afford to play games without one or both of their two superstars.
Maurice Harkless is just one player the Clippers could sub into either forward position in the starting rotation on nights when George or Leonard rest, and his two-way versatility wouldn’t require the Clippers to to change any other major parts of their rotation. Montrezl Harrell could also start at power forward, but the center position seems to better fit his style of play.
The Clippers will also have Rodney McGruder and JaMychal Green coming off the bench, each of whom can play and defend multiple positions in different sets. By emphasizing versatility in their free agent signings, draft selections and trade acquisitions, LA will be able to test a wide variety of lineups — with and without Leonard and George.
Both players’ injuries will be something to keep an eye on as the LA Clippers progress towards the beginning of the regular season, but for the time being, it’s hard not to like what you hear about their current conditions.