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LA Clippers: 3 Things to Watch For Vs. Brooklyn Nets

By Seth Kimbrell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 02: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets greets Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers after the game at Barclays Center on February 02, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 124-120. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 02: James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets greets Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers after the game at Barclays Center on February 02, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 124-120. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: Luke Kennard #5 of the LA Clippers warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 07, 2021 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 07: Luke Kennard #5 of the LA Clippers warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 07, 2021 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

LA Clippers vs. Brooklyn Nets Factor #3: Do we see Luke Kennard?

In the LA Clippers’ win against the Utah Jazz, Luke Kennard didn’t see the floor despite being listed as active. That led to many questions across Clipper Nation about the status of Kennard in the rotation, and it was another unfortunate thing to see in a season that hasn’t been great for Luke.

I’m much less doom and gloom about Luke, and I don’t believe that the Utah game suggests he’s no longer got a place in the rotation. The thing to keep in mind is that “active” doesn’t mean “healthy.” For a guy who’s fought knee issues the last couple years, I’m not shocked that the LA Clippers were extra careful with Luke.

The guys on the bench clearly love Luke and are always hyping him up when he plays well in the flow of the offense. Remember Kawhi on the bench telling Kennard “when you get the ball, shoot it. That’s why we brought you here”?

It’s hard for me to see the Clips trading for Luke Kennard, giving him an extension and then deciding within 30 games that he is totally out of the rotation. So my question here isn’t whether Luke Kennard is “good enough” to see the court vs the Nets. Instead it’s, “is he feeling right enough to get on the court and shoot?”

If he is, I’m excited for the possibility of seeing Kennard and Shamet guarding each other, despite how much it still hurts every time I see Shamet in the Nets colors. And if Kennard isn’t quite ready, let’s remember that pushing a dude fighting knee soreness to play a game in the middle of February isn’t the smart move for the playoffs.

dark. Next. Patrick Beverley proves again why he’s First Team All-Defense

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