On the ‘Bill Simmons podcast,’ Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe narrow down All-NBA names. They, of course, first check off the obvious like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, etc., but when Lowe was asked to conclude the second team, he was presented with a few deserving options, and immediately picked Kawhi Leonard, despite the LA Clippers beginning the regular season at 6-21.
Clippers fans can agree that Lowe made the right choice. While LA’s lowest point, record-wise, could take a toll on Leonard’s chances of high recognition, even if a turnaround did occur, he has been so good that it does not matter. For context, the two-time champion is averaging 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, with a true-shooting percentage of 61.9.
Thus, in a fashion of fairness, Lowe gives Leonard his flowers, as he has earned the right to be regarded as one of the ten best players in the NBA this season.
Zach Lowe gave Kawhi Leonard the most reasonable spot
Fans of the LA Clippers are all for Kawhi Leonard being granted every player’s wish of first-team All-NBA. In their eyes, he is the best player in the world, and they will stand on this hill for as long as possible.
However, the guys given the top honor are those who started the season on an elite note, then progressed and finished it on the same level or better, all while being relatively available.
Furthermore, Leonard fits better with the second team. Why? Well, he and the Clippers struggled for roughly the first eight weeks in a handful of areas, and out of nowhere, a sense of urgency arose, and there was a foot visibly on the gas.
In fact, from the season-opener through Dec. 18th, a matter of 27 games, Leonard only played 17(LA’s record was 4-13), and logged lows such as ten points versus Utah, 18 points on 41.2% shooting at Golden State, and a seven-of-21 night against the Hawks, which included just one three-pointer on seven attempts.
As you can see, rock bottom was steep, and it was pitch-black dark in LA, but because Leonard made a change and was instrumental to the Clippers’ turnaround, Zach Lowe took his side.
This should be exactly how the NBA sees it, as long as Leonard meets the 65-game minimum, in which he is awfully close, and the Clippers remain in legitimate competition for a playoff seeding from the play-in tournament.