In recent seasons, Kawhi Leonard has come under fire for sitting out of too many games. So far in this 2023-24 campaign, though, Leonard has only missed five games and had quite the blunt response when asked how he has been so available for so many of them.
“Not tearing my ACL, not tearing my meniscus,” Leonard said.
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Leonard appeared to want to get the message across that he only ever missed time because he was injured and not because he was load managing or whatnot. The six-time All-Star had torn his ACL in the 2021 playoffs and missed the entire 2021-22 season as a result.
When Leonard finally returned in 2022-23, he only played 52 games, as he and the Los Angeles Clippers had to be very careful with the knee. Despite that, however, the 32-year-old tore his meniscus in the 2023 playoffs and again faced a spell on the sidelines.
Fortunately, that hasn’t had an impact on this season for him, as Leonard has played 51 out of 56 games. He has played very well in them as well, having averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. Leonard’s strong play has seen the Clippers have a 37-19 record this season, which is good enough for fourth in the West.
Kawhi Leonard Blasted The NBA For Its Player Participation Policy
With load management being a big issue for the NBA, the league introduced a new Player Participation Policy, which went into effect this season. Not many stars were happy about it, and before the season started, Leonard blasted the NBA for the new load management rules.
“If the league is trying to mock what I did with the Raptors, it should stop, because I was injured during that whole year… I work out every day in the summertime to play the game, not to sit out and watch others play. No league policy is helping me to play more games.”
Leonard had played just 60 games for the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19, as he sat out a lot. He had, of course, played only nine games the season before that one for the San Antonio Spurs due to injury. This was just another case of Leonard trying to get the point across that he only misses time when he is actually injured.
Whether the policy has had any impact or not, the Clippers star has barely missed any time. Leonard was out for four games with a hip issue in December and then missed the last game before the All-Star break with a left adductor strain.
Kevin Durant Said Leonard Has Been The Best Player This Season And The Clippers Have Been The Best Team
Kawhi’s exploits this season certainly haven’t gone unnoticed by his peers. Kevin Durant said Leonard is the best player he has seen this season, and the Clippers are the best team.
“Every night my best players, my top-5, my GOATs, I feel like every week they change… Clippers are playing great ball. If anything I’ll probably say Clippers and give it to Kawhi as the best player I’ve seen.”
There was a time when it was all doom and gloom in Clipperland, as the team had gotten off to a 3-7 start to the season. They have been simply phenomenal since then, and you could make a case for them to be the best team we have seen this season. As for Leonard, while I wouldn’t go as far as to say he’s the best player I’ve seen in 2023-24, he has certainly been among the best.
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