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

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Ryan: I hate doing it, but let’s talk Lakers really quickly. Does Kawhi resting games disqualify him from the “best player in the league” argument? Many on Twitter seem to think so and reference LeBron not missing time. (edited)

Cannon: “Many on Twitter” tend to not be the brightest folk, but I know what you’re saying. I think he’s been the best player in the league this season (many metrics back up this belief), but his sitting out might disqualify him for many from MVP considerations.

Seth: When I think of “best player in the league” I try to decide which player I’d most want to have in a seven-game finals series. There are like five guys in that discussion for me, and one of them is Kawhi, so no.

As Cannon said, he probably won’t be MVP ever, playing just 65 games, though.

Ryan: Probably not. But this is a team sport. Championships outweigh personal accolades in my opinion.

Do you think Toronto fans care at all that Kawhi missed 20 some games last season?

Seth: Absolutely not.

Cannon: If I were a Canadian or a Raptors fan, I couldn’t care less.

Seth: That’s the thing. If we win a title this year, literally nobody will care that he load managed. It’s if we don’t, that the Twitter voices get louder.

Cannon: The goal of the game is to win, and Kawhi was their biggest factor behind winning at the highest level. They have no right to be upset.

Ryan: When Paul George returns (hopefully next week), do you think people, especially networks, will care less about load management if the two are staggered? Let’s say Kawhi keeps up the trend of missing the first game in back-to-backs, but PG plays. Then, on the second night, they flip. Does anyone get as fired up then?

And would you be for that idea?

Seth: I think that would alleviate a lot of the drama. And would give the guys a lot of practice running the team with the other guy out, which could be valuable come playoffs, when we’d probably like to have at least one of them out there at almost all times.

Cannon: I’m all for staggering them on back-to-backs. We almost embarrassed the Bucks last night without either of them. Throw one of them in the lineup, that’s at least a 10 point win.

Ryan: I think it’s something the team does, especially considering they are talking about bringing him back next week when, surprise, we have a back-to-back. It’ll make it more palatable for fans who bought tickets for those type of games, such as myself. I’ll see the Clippers in DC in the first game where I don’t expect to see Kawhi. It will be great seeing the team, but having at least PG on the court will make it better.

Seth: I’m just hoping they’re not on a back to back when they come play in Bozeman

Ryan: Final question: Have you ever missed work/school when you probably could have made it through the day but decided it was better for your long term health?

Seth: Oh sure. Fairly recently I took some time off because I was feeling anxious and burnt out, and then I came back ready to do much better work.

Ryan: Did you get torn up by Twitter/co-workers?

Cannon: I’ve missed school because I was tired and would rather get hit by a bus than attend “The Interpretation of Literature”

Seth: No, I didn’t experience any of that haha.
Cannon: Psst, that is a near-weekly experience.

Ryan: I won’t tell your professors. I think that will do it guys. I appreciate you all taking the time to discuss that and hopefully, the internet will mellow out and become more understanding. (Ha!)

Seth: Be the change you want to see in the world.

Cannon: Please don’t tell my mom.

I want to thank Seth and Cannon for having this discussion. Do you agree with what we said? Let us know on Twitter and make sure to follow along here for all your LA Clippers’ coverage!