One might glance at each of Kawhi Leonard’s seasons from a statistical standpoint and wonder how, well after his prime at 34, he was able to get as close to 30 points per game as possible (currently 28.0). It may seem like he turned back the clock, but in reality, Leonard is more confident in his three-point shot, now more than ever, which was pointed out on ‘The Zach Lowe Show.’ This is what was missing all these years.
Through 61 games, Leonard is taking 6.8 attempts from beyond the arc. This is a career-high, and honestly shocking to see, considering at one point with the San Antonio Spurs, the impression was given that he would always be an average three-point shooter with a lethal midrange and inside package.
Additionally, the fact that Leonard consistently manages such a high volume and drills 38.5% of them indicates that he is on par with some of the best shooters in the world.
Kawhi Leonard’s confidence is a strong reflection of his work ethic
As Kawhi Leonard transformed his scoring arsenal in the span of one season, it shows how much work he actually puts in every aspect of the game behind the scenes. Everyone knows confidence doesn't just magically build overnight, so to let it fly at the rate he is, thousands and thousands of reps are required.
Hence, Leonard’s current and former teammates, competitors, and coaches rave about his mindset. The two-time champion is a gym rat, and as a result, he has put together the best scoring season of his career in his mid-30’s, when most athletes slow down and fall apart.
Nicolas Batum says he’s never seen Kawhi Leonard play this well in their 6 years together.
— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) March 29, 2026
"I’ve been with him for six years. I joined the Clippers in 2020 and like I said, I’ve never seen him that good. I played against him when he was with the Spurs, I played against him in… pic.twitter.com/yKCN15TVzk
Beyond that, the motivation to win a championship, third on his personal resume and first for the LA Clippers’ franchise, drove Leonard to the point where he had to figure out a way to boost his scoring.
Leonard genuinely wants to be as great as he can be, and he made that clear to fans all over the world yet again.
Credit must also go to Tyronn Lue, who has done an excellent job of putting Leonard in a position to progress. Lue has emphasized in his gameplan that the ball runs through the hands of the two-time champion, and whatever he decides to do with it.
So, if you’re ever curious how Leonard reached a new height in terms of scoring, just watch the confidence he plays with, as it’s hard not to notice.