Through 13 seasons playing in the NBA, franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard has earned the title of the most unique player in NBA history. From an unmatched clutch gene to a distinctive personality to numerous comebacks from injuries, there will never be another player like Leonard.
Furthermore, the LA Clippers' precautions concerning injury around Leonard are greater than ever. The trainers understand the grey area utilizing him, as the risk grows with each additional minute he plays out of his comfort level.
However, through the first bit of the season, head coach Tyronn Lue operated with Leonard on a different approach to the season. He sat the first 34 games, took several more to revive his two-way dominance, and is now the healthiest he has been since last year.
This strategy enforced adversity among Lue's squad, where they went 1-6 after the all-star break. Once the hurdle had been tackled, the grass was green, and vibes were at an all-time high.
The Clippers have won eight of the last nine, and Leonard has found his cadence with countless astonishing showcases, including a 33-point display against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This 13-point win was the most promising of LA's season, and Leonard was at the helm.
Given Leonard's performance this season, Lue and his staff may have figured out how to utilize him for his remaining salary.
Saving Kawhi Leonard to close the regular closer is a path the LA Clippers should consider
Though some stars can play elite basketball for extended periods, Kawhi Leonard's regular-season peak should be conserved for the end of the season. This is new for the 33-year-old Leonard, who is striving for his third ring.
Moreover, in a 'Yahoo! Sports' podcast, NBA writer Tom Haberstroh suggested to analyst Kevin O'Connor and the NBA community that Leonard should focus on top-tier hoops around playoff time while allowing his supporting cast to manage most of the 82 games.
This may be a different role for Leonard, but it is realistic and possible considering he is teammates with a former MVP in James Harden.
That said, this transition in his career could be next, with two years and $100 million guaranteed left on his contract. Regular season success is paramount, but if LA can enter round one as a top-eight seed, they could win out of the Western Conference with 'Playoff Kawhi' in charge.