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Kawhi may need to be managed by Lebron more often

By Ethan Smith

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the game at Staples Center on December 25, 2019 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers in the game at Staples Center on December 25, 2019 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Comments by Kawhi Leonard saying Lebron “is scared to guard him” have ignited the rivalry between the LA Clippers and Lakers, even if they aren’t true.

The rivalry between the LA Clippers and LA Lakers is at its peak this season as for the first time in their respective histories, both teams are in title contention at the same time. Now, with supposed quotes by Kawhi Leonard, the rivalry may have reached new heights.

On Wednesday ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on First Take that someone close to Leonard said the star forward told Lebron James to “stop being scared to guard him” during a game against the Lakers this season.

Now, of course, we don’t know how much we should believe Stephen A here, but it still mandates us taking at the two stars going head-to-head in their final two meetings of the regular season and their likely gigantic meeting in the postseason.

In the two meetings, this season Lakers head coach Frank Vogel has used James and other star forward Anthony Davis as primary on and off-ball defenders against Leonard. Head coach Doc Rivers has done a fabulous job with creating mismatches for Leonard though against the likes of Javale McGee and Dwight Howard who obviously struggle to keep pace with Leonard on the perimeter.

The Clippers are of course 2-0 in both meetings against the Lakers this season, defeating them on Opening Night and Christmas Day respectively. Leonard has been instrumental in both victories, averaging 32.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the two contests.

Meanwhile Leonard and Paul George have helped guard James in both contests and have done well containing him in comparison to Leonard as he averages 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game.

Let’s allow Lou Williams to help us tell you if this statement is false or not.

With Leonard creating a track record of playing basketball and letting his game do the talking, I highly doubt he would instigate like this in-game to Lebron. Stephen A’s “source” was also not named, so I would take these comments with a grain of salt.

However, there is a clear discrepancy when the two go head-to-head as shown by their stats. If the Lakers and Clippers do meet in the postseason, slowing down Leonard will be key for the Lakers to even have a shot against the Clippers, who also have skilled scorers in George, Williams, and Montrezl Harrell to compliment Leonard.

Next. Clippers should totally ignore Kawhi Leonard's injury. dark

If these statements are true, Leonard kind of has a point, but letting his play do the talking against The King will be more than enough moving forward. While the Lakers may have a better record than the Clippers, nothing matters until the postseason and at the moment, Lebron has felt the wrath of The Claw.

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