The Los Angeles Clippers want to make the most profit off Kawhi Leonard and that killer mentality he has developed in recent seasons. The 2020/21 NBA campaign will bring a lot of challenges to the Clippers and they’re hoping to have their best player at their best level and use him as much as possible in the most favorable situations.
That’s why Tyronn Lue has decided to implement a triangle offense centered around Kawhi Leonard, which would put make him the Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan of these Clippers. The Klaw and the Clippers failed to have a deep playoff run last season and they’re trying to bring a different approach to the game to see if they can improve their performance this season.
The new wrinkles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue added to the offense this season originated from the triangle offense and the ways in which Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan found high rates of success.
Lue decided to employ “a few sets” from the triangle because Kawhi Leonard has the skills to operate in the pinch-post area like Bryant did with the Lakers and Jordan did with the Chicago Bulls. And Lue is using this because Leonard expressed a desire to perform in the triangle.
Lue, who won two NBA championships with Bryant and played with Jordan with the Washington Wizards, said the shortened preseason and training camp were also factors in trying to find ways to put Leonard in the best position.
“We have put in two or three sets of the triangle and let Kawhi play in those spaces where Kobe and Jordan played in those spots as well,” Lue said before Sunday’s practice. “He loves those two players and he really respects and looks up to those guys. So, we just try to put him in position. I was able to play with both those guys and I also played in the triangle, so just trying to teach him that as well … teach our team as well.”
After incredibly losing against the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs, blowing a 3-1 lead in the bubble, the Clippers know this season is very important for them. The lack of adjustment was something this team suffered last season and Lue is starting to work on that from the very beginning of the season. Some people feel they need a playmaker but they’re yet to find one player to fill that position.
Lue knows very well what he’s talking about; he saw Kobe and Jordan doing it first hand so it wouldn’t be hard for him to explain. To have success using that offense, though, that’s another topic.
