For the rest of the season, many fans of the NBA, along with Kawhi Leonard, have a low bar for the LA Clippers. Why? Because, from the outside looking in, the front office took a prime piece of Leonard’s supporting cast, James Harden, away. However, being the underdog is just the position LA thrives in, as Bennedict Mathurin, John Collins, and Derrick Jones Jr. will exceed expectations through a better brand of basketball, different from the one Harden left behind.
The key here is ball movement and younger legs. Harden, at 36, was limited in providing either, as he was known to prefer isolation. He would repeatedly settle for low-quality possessions, and once they added up, a toll was taken on the scoreboard.
Thus, these aspects have disappeared, and the Clippers, in reality, have a team with more bounce and pop around Leonard. This will lead everyone into the inevitable realization that the Clippers do, in fact, have legitimate help around the two-time champion; it is just sneaky talent.
Kawhi Leonard’s supporting cast has already shown glimpses of excellence
If you, or a friend, are sleeping on Bennedict Mathurin, John Collins, and Derrick Jones Jr. to properly assist Kawhi Leonard, the time is now to wake them up from their third dream.
The common denominator they possess is athleticism. This is an area that works literal magic in scoring, defending, running the floor, getting numbers in transition, and overall winning.
For example, take a look at the LA Clippers’ one-point win over the Denver Nuggets. Mathurin popped off with 38 points, Jones Jr. had 22, and Collins had a double-double, along with a steal and three blocks.
If you would like to go further back, the Clippers defeated the Houston Rockets just before the All-Star break, and the same trio combined for 40 points and guarded Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson exceptionally, forcing 11 turnovers among the two.
Their play, while Leonard did his thing on both ends of the court, was no coincidence. It is the direct outcome that persists when you remove James Harden, a superstar who loves to score and make an impact, primarily with the ball in his hands.
That said, over time, particularly during playoff prosperity, eyes will be drawn to the Clippers and what Leonard has to work with. There will be less pressure and a smoother flow, which will shock those who elected to doubt.