The Kawhi Leonard experience with the LA Clippers has unexpectedly always had a negative side effect that counteracts the positive. This identifies with being in street clothes, as Leonard’s health is typically crushed into pieces after he lays out his best stretch of the year.
Furthermore, what eliminated Leonard was unsustainable, high postseason usage. Though he is a max-contract superstar, head coach Tyronn Lue placed significant responsibilities on him throughout all 94 feet, ultimately steering to unavoidable knee barriers.
In fact, in 2022-23, Lue had Leonard taking over 20 shots a game at a usage rate of over 30% while guarding the best scorers on the court, who so happened to be Kevin Durant, a historically iconic shot-maker, and Devin Booker.
On the contrary, a better call from the staff would have been to assign another elite defender, like Nicolas Batum, to the Phoenix Suns’ superstar duo along with Russell Westbrook. This could have possibly prevented Leonard from injuring his meniscus.
What makes 2022-23 parallel to present day is that Leonard was in sync just before playoff action. This means Lue has a second chance, which most coaches do not encounter, to adjust the play calling on both sides of the ball.
Tyronn Lue should learn from his mistakes and ease any amount of tension possible on Kawhi Leonard
Of course, the roadmap to the NBA Finals hangs on Kawhi Leonard’s health, but Tyronn Lue, the man making the decisions, must establish a viable game plan around his six-time All-Star against the Denver Nuggets.
Post All-Star weekend, Leonard has looked good, averaging 25.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, shooting 51.5% from the field and 43.7% from three. Additionally, the static in his bounce is live, as he has shown eagerness to slam down a put-back dunk or posterize a defender under the rim.
To preserve his excellence for 16 more wins, Lue has defensive prodigies in Kris Dunn or Derrick Jones Jr., whoever starts, to guard Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. With Ivica Zubac on Nikola Jokic, Leonard would be placed on Aaron Gordon.
Lue also has Ben Simmons and Nicolas Batum, two more lengthy, accelerated defenders who can make a strong effort to power off the Nuggets’ backcourt.
That said, this strategy with Dunn/Jones Jr. will keep Leonard active for as many games as it takes to beat Denver and after, as the Western Conference does not get any easier.