The LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard didn’t look great in scrimmages but we shouldn’t worry.
Through the LA Clippers three scrimmage games, Kawhi Leonard just didn’t look like himself. The reigning NBA Finals MVP could not get his shot to fall despite getting the looks he wanted. In the three games, Leonard averaged 24.7 minutes but scored just 10.7 points per game. He only shot 26.1% from the field including an abysmal 22.2% from deep.
Should Clipper Nation be worried about The Claw? Not at all. Here are three reasons that Kawhi’s poor play in the three scrimmages doesn’t matter.
1. Not everyone was there
Let’s start with the obvious. Not everyone was available through the first three scrimmages. Does this directly affect Kawhi? No.
But it still matters. The Clippers still have not played a game with their full roster available in this Orlando bubble and likely won’t for at least two more games. The team still overall looked solid, going 2-1 in the three scrimmages.
Even if Kawhi isn’t at his best, the team has enough options to keep them afloat through the first eight games and into the first round. Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell (when they both return) will add a bunch of scoring for the team.
Obviously the other players cannot fully cover for Kawhi’s poor shooting but they can do more than enough to keep the team going.