Kawhi Leonard celebrated his 33rd birthday this weekend and shared some pictures from his vacation to Costa Rica. He thanked fans for the love and well wishes they gave him in the post on Instagram while showing fans a glimpse of what his vacation was like with a coconut in his hand.
“Another lap around the sun! Thanks for all the love… Pura Vida”
Leonard seems to be enjoying his time away from the basketball court, but couldn’t have been happy with the way his season ended. Leonard played 68 games last season, the most since his 2016-17 season with the Spurs, where he played 74 games.
But his injury concerns eventually caught up to him, as he was ruled out early on in the Clippers‘ playoff series with the Mavericks. Leonard being ruled out meant that the Clippers were without their first option, and they weren’t able to overcome the gritty Mavericks, who beat them en route to the NBA Finals.
Leonard and the Clippers will be hoping to find their winning ways once again next season, as they usher in a new era at their new arena, the Intuit Dome. But it appears Leonard will not have the man he demanded to be brought in when he first joined the Clippers, as Paul George and the Clippers are set to part ways in free agency.
Leonard will have to rely on James Harden as his second star and hope that the Clippers can build an adequate team around them with the added cap space they have with George’s departure. The Clippers have been active in free agency, signing Kevin Porter Jr. to a deal.
Kawhi Leonard Has To Deliver For The Clippers Before He Is Done
Kawhi Leonard has been criticized greatly for his inability to deliver for the Clippers. When he joined the Clippers in 2019, the hope was that he and Paul George would bring a championship to the Clippers for the first time in franchise history. But instead, the Clippers would have to settle for just one appearance in a Western Conference Finals in 2021.
Now that George is gone, Leonard will be expected to shoulder the load for the franchise. While Harden had a good regular season last year, his performances in the playoffs often underdeliver. As for Leonard, he must work to improve his fitness and overcome his health concerns.
The Clippers have two of the best players in the NBA on their roster, but health and inconsistency have cost them time and time again. Last season, Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
He needs to replicate his performance last season in the regular season, but remain healthy in the playoffs if the Clippers want to make a run this season. With a new stadium and a different roster this year, the Clippers need Leonard now more than ever to be the best version of himself to guide them through this new era.
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