On ‘The Hoop Collective,’ Brian Windhorst, a highly credible insider in the NBA industry, mentioned that Kawhi Leonard, now, is playing his best basketball since he was a Toronto Raptor, and that his jumper looks extremely pure. However, while these truths may be shocking to the world, fans of the LA Clippers knew about them much earlier in the season.
Furthermore, Leonard is playing elite basketball, averaging 28.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, while shooting 49.5% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc. But, to expand on Windhorst’s point, the release point, mechanics, elevation, and fluidity on Leonard’s shot appear flawless. Everything has been perfected in the lab, hence why draining tough baskets is as easy as taking candy from a baby.
Kawhi Leonard’s peak as an NBA superstar is still ongoing
Just the thought of comparing any version of Kawhi Leonard to the level he played at with the Toronto Raptors is difficult to fathom. The explanation is already in the books: he won a championship following arguably the greatest run in recent memory.
At the time, no one would look at you crazy if you claimed Leonard to be on an island by himself as the best player on the planet. That is how good he was, and keep in mind, icons like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant were crushing their competition simultaneously.
On the contrary, the way Leonard played then is how he looks at almost 35 years old. It is certainly the jumper, as brought to attention by Brian Windhorst, yet also the handle, speed, lateral quickness, and most notably, the defense.
The way he guards is truly generational. He evaluates the opponent's dribbling patterns and makes a perfectly timed anticipation play to poke the ball free. Before you know it, he has sprinted with long strides, having already gone coast-to-coast, and slammed the ball in the iron with one hand, in his signature ‘claw’ fashion.
Hence, he is tied with Cason Wallace for first in steals averages at 2.1 per game.
That said, the way for the LA Clippers’ superstar to fully prove Windhorst right is by rising to a new height in the playoffs. Though he is known for this and usually pulls through, ending off the season with a championship parade will confirm that Leonard has been just as good, if not better, than his Raptors days.