When certain players who have faced major injuries are recovering, the last thing that could derail the process is added pressure. This concept refers to superstars, as the top teams need them to win, and during recovery, some can feel rushed to hush the voices in the crowd.
Fortunately, Kawhi Leonard did not experience anything as such in the 45 games he missed last season. This was because he was teammates with an All-NBA, All-Defensive pairing in James Harden and Ivica Zubac, who deserve a gift from Leonard for stepping up when the two-time champion was going through the finishing touches of approval from the training staff.
However, the next most formidable challenge to making a seamless recovery is staying healthy, and this is where Leonard has failed. This issue evidently becomes more prominent with age, and he is approaching the halfway point of his 30s next June.
Moreover, Leonard is currently healthy and enjoying his offseason overseas, spending time between fun and basketball activities. He has had workouts with other stars and was last seen in China breaking a sweat during his media tour.
This is exhilarating, but where the trouble arises is how much stronger the Clippers have become in the offseason and how it affects Leonard's health throughout next season.
The LA Clippers' added talent puts pressure on Kawhi Leonard to stay healthy more than ever
The 37-game showcase given to the fans by Kawhi Leonard last season was much better than expected, as the time missed did not stop him from averaging over 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists, on splits that were borderline 50-40.
Furthermore, Leonard's outstanding performance raises the bar for next season, as fans now expect him to be an All-Star and All-NBA forward, just as he usually is when he meets the requirements.
Conversely, with the Clippers adding multiple notable talents, Leonard will surely feel the unintentional weight on his knees to play at least 65 games. This is because LA wants the first seed, and without his presence, they will still be good, but not as good as numerous teams in the Western Conference.
It is worth noting that Leonard has had a relatively healthy season (60 games or more) twice since the 2016-17 season, when he was 25. Therefore, for him to achieve this next season would be a notable accomplishment that he may feel must be met to dismiss the criticism and opinions of the NBA community.