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Clippers Slack Chat: Kawhi Leonard resting shouldn’t upset everyone

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 6: Kawhi Leonard #2, and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers look on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 6, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 6: Kawhi Leonard #2, and Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers look on during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 6, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 3: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during a game against the LA Clippers on November 3, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 3: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during a game against the LA Clippers on November 3, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers caught flack for load management, we discuss the logic behind it and why no one should be upset.

The LA Clippers fell to the Milwaukee Bucks last night, 129-124. The Clippers put up a valiant effort despite not having Kawhi Leonard on the court. Leonard faced a lot of scrutiny during the day after it was announced the reigning Finals MVP would miss the game due to load management.

With the Clippers scheduled with a back-to-back, the team felt it was better for Kawhi to miss a game against an Eastern Conference foe instead of against the Portland Trail Blazers, a Western Conference team, on the second night.

ESPN, the network televising the game, went into a frenzy. Pundits like Doris Burke called out both the Clippers and Kawhi for missing the game, calling it a disappointment. During the broadcast, nothing changed with Mark Jackson harping on it over and over.

The number of people calling out the Clippers was so substantial that the league had to step in and support the team’s decision. The internet remained upset, citing numerous reasons that Kawhi should not sit out despite what the NBA said.

The Clippers, of course, defended themselves post-game. Doc Rivers said Kawhi feels great, but only thanks to being able to take time off.

With the game over, I decided to get multiple viewpoints on the Clippers. I and two Clipperholics’ contributors discussed the merits of resting, why Kawhi’s case is different, who is to blame, and if there are any possible solutions to the load managing “problem.”

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