Through the first two preseason games, franchise superstar Kawhi Leonard has come out of training camp on a heater. This is what the fan base knew would happen, but with so much going on from the business side of things, many believed it would take a toll on his performance, which ultimately surprised one of the most prominent experts in the game.
Against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions, Leonard was a walking bucket. He was scoring at a pace of one point for every minute of playing time, as the two-time champion finished with 18 points in 18 minutes, shooting 6-10 from the field and 5-8 from three-point land.
Moreover, even after Leonard drained his first few three-pointers, the Loong-Lions failed to adjust, which cost them a few more, contributing to the notable 47-point win, just three shy of the lucky number 50.
Back at home versus the Denver Nuggets, the Clippers lost, but what Leonard displayed in the first half had Brian Windhorst of ESPN saying good remarks on “The Hoop Collective.”
Windhorst emphasized the word terrific multiple times when describing Leonard’s performances
As he believed saying it one time was not enough, Brian Windhorst repeatedly capitalized on the fact that Kawhi Leonard has been phenomenal thus far for the LA Clippers. This statement left co-hosts Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon in awe.
Furthermore, Windhorst highlighted the obvious in his shot-making, as nearly every attempt Leonard made against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions found the bottom of the net, particularly from a distance. Although this did not happen at home in a matchup with the Denver Nuggets, he still managed to showcase his skills inside the three-point line.
In fact, Leonard went one-for-six from three in the Clippers’ second preseason game, but he still shot 50% from the field and posted 17 points in 19 minutes, with two steals and six made free throws at the charity strike.
Thus, head coach Tyronn Lue should play Leonard during the third game of the preseason, against the Sacramento Kings on the road, then have him sit out in the finale at Chase Center.
Leonard has already shown he is not shaken by the NBA’s investigation over the allegations against him, and that he is focused on nothing but hoops. So, it would be pointless to watch him dominate in a series of games that will not count, especially if the coaching staff has already seen enough.