Kawhi Leonard recently made a bold claim regarding his performance last season. When asked about his position and the prospect of playing power forward, Leonard responded by highlighting his workload on the court. Leonard’s assertion suggests that he was among the league leaders in distance covered per game during the 2023-24 NBA season.
However, statistical data from that season paints a different picture. According to official NBA tracking data, Leonard did not rank within the top 30 players in terms of miles covered per game.
Here is a list of the top 35 players in miles covered per game during the 2023-24 season:
1. Tyrese Maxey – 2.91 miles
2. Miles Bridges – 2.82 miles
3. De’Aaron Fox – 2.73 miles
4. Dejounte Murray – 2.68 miles
5. Jalen Brunson – 2.68 miles
6. Mikal Bridges – 2.68 miles
7. Domantas Sabonis – 2.67 miles
8. Fred VanVleet – 2.67 miles
9. Scottie Barnes – 2.67 miles
10. Keegan Murray – 2.65 miles
11. Desmond Bane – 2.64 miles
12. Terry Rozier – 2.62 miles
13. Anfernee Simons – 2.61 miles
14. Coby White – 2.61 miles
15. Zach LaVine – 2.61 miles
16. Ja Morant – 2.59 miles
17. Tyler Herro – 2.59 miles
18. DeMar DeRozan – 2.58 miles
19. Franz Wagner – 2.58 miles
20. LaMelo Ball – 2.58 miles
21. Max Strus – 2.58 miles
22. Devin Vassell – 2.57 miles
23. Jalen Johnson – 2.57 miles
24. Damian Lillard – 2.55 miles
25. Rudy Gobert – 2.55 miles
26. Trae Young – 2.55 miles
27. Darius Garland – 2.54 miles
28. Tobias Harris – 2.54 miles
29. CJ McCollum – 2.53 miles
30. Grayson Allen – 2.53 miles
31. Kawhi Leonard – 2.53 miles
32. Pascal Siakam – 2.52 miles
33. Devin Booker – 2.52 miles
34. Paolo Banchero – 2.52 miles
35. Anthony Edwards – 2.51 miles
Kawhi Leonard ranks 31st on this list, covering an average of 2.53 miles per game. Even when narrowing down the comparison to forwards only, Leonard ranks 12th in distance covered.
Leonard’s claim of being in the top five or top ten could be attributed to a perception of his workload, especially considering he was returning from a torn meniscus. The physical and mental demands of coming back from a significant injury might have amplified his sense of effort and distance covered on the court.
It’s also possible that Leonard was referring to specific contexts or subsets of games rather than the entire regular season. However, the available data does not support his statement when considering average miles covered per game throughout the season.
Leonard’s discussion about playing power forward and the associated physical demands highlights an important aspect of his game. As a versatile player capable of guarding multiple positions and contributing on both ends of the floor, Leonard often takes on significant responsibilities. Transitioning between positions can affect a player’s workload and the distances they cover during games.
Moreover, the Clippers‘ roster adjustments and injuries might have required Leonard to assume different roles, potentially increasing his activity level on the court. Despite this, the statistical evidence indicates that other players covered more ground on average.
While miles covered is a quantifiable metric, it doesn’t always capture the full extent of a player’s effort or contribution. Defensive intensity, the quality of movement, and situational factors play crucial roles in a player’s performance. Leonard is known for his defensive prowess and strategic play, which might not always translate to high mileage but significantly impact the game’s outcome.
Additionally, Leonard’s efficiency and ability to make decisive plays can mean he doesn’t need to cover as much ground as other players to be effective. His experience and basketball IQ allow him to position himself optimally, conserving energy while maintaining high performance.
Kawhi Leonard’s assertion that he was among the top players in distance covered per game during the 2023-24 season does not align with the statistical data. While he undoubtedly plays a crucial role for the Clippers and exerts significant effort on the court, the numbers show that many other players covered more ground per game.
This discrepancy highlights the complexities of relying solely on statistics to assess a player’s contribution. Factors such as position, playing style, and individual perception of effort all influence how players experience and interpret their performance. Regardless of the miles logged, Leonard remains a vital component of the Clippers’ aspirations, and his impact extends beyond measurable metrics.
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