Despite a recent successful streak with 15 wins in their last 18 games, Kawhi Leonard remains critical of the Los Angeles Clippers’ performance, emphasizing that the team has significant room for improvement. Following their 136-125 victory over the Detroit Pistons, Leonard expressed concerns about the team’s defensive efforts, stating that the issues lie “between our ears.”
“It’s between our ears. Tonight, we were terrible on our defensive game. I feel like we’ve been running our games off of talent, even our offensive game. It’s a lot of slow pace, and it starts with our defense.”
“We have to see who we want to be and start setting goals for ourselves. I feel like these last few games have been based on talent, and we need to be focused on execution.”
Kawhi Leonard was fairly critical postgame when asked what the Clippers still have to improve on:
"It’s between our ears. Tonight, we were terrible on our defensive game. I feel like we’ve been running our games off of talent, even our offensive game. It’s a lot of slow pace,…
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 3, 2024
In the game against the Pistons, Leonard led the Clippers with an impressive 33-point contribution. Despite the win, Leonard believes the team has been relying too much on talent rather than focused execution, particularly in their defensive strategies. He urged the team to define their identity and set goals for themselves to enhance their overall performance.
The Clippers, currently on a seven-game road trip, have achieved four wins out of five games during this stretch. Their recent success has elevated them to the third position in the Western Conference with a 32-15 record. The trio of Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden has played a pivotal role in the team’s resurgence.
While acknowledging the team’s recent accomplishments, Leonard’s critique underscores the Clippers’ playoff struggles in recent years. Despite the star-studded roster, the Clippers have faced disappointment in the playoffs, reaching the conference finals only once since Leonard and George joined forces in 2019. Last season, they were eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns, following a complete miss of the playoffs in 2022.
With the addition of James Harden and the continued contribution of Russell Westbrook off the bench, the Clippers aim to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Leonard’s call for improved focus and execution highlights the team’s ambition to address their weaknesses and make a deep playoff run this season.
The Clippers Are 24-6 In The Last 30 Games
Since December 1, the Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as the most dominant team in the NBA, boasting an impressive record of 24 wins in their last 30 games. This remarkable stretch has positioned them as the team with the best offensive rating in the league, recording a stellar 124.0, coupled with an exceptional true shooting percentage of 62.4. The Clippers’ proficiency from beyond the arc has been a key factor, shooting an incredible 41% from 3-point range during this period.
The trio of stars—Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden—has been the driving force behind the Clippers’ extraordinary run. Kawhi Leonard has been putting up stellar numbers, averaging 24.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, showcasing remarkable shooting efficiency at 53.0% from the field and an outstanding 45.0% from beyond the arc.
Paul George has been equally impressive, contributing 22.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting at a solid 46.4% from the field and 41.2% from 3-point range. James Harden has been a valuable playmaker, averaging 16.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, with efficient shooting at 44.4% from the field and 40.5% from 3-point range.
The Clippers’ success extends beyond their star trio, as they boast one of the deepest benches in the NBA. Russell Westbrook and Norman Powell have been key contributors, complementing the stars and providing significant depth.
Under the coaching of Ty Lue, the Clippers have emerged as a formidable threat in the Western Conference, particularly challenging the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. With a current record of 32-15, the Clippers sit in the third position in the West, just one game behind the top-seeded team, showcasing their potential to contend for the championship.
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