Kawhi Leonard is widely recognized as one of the top three players in the game. During this Orlando bubble, that status has not changed. In the first round, Leonard led the Clippers to a 4-2 series win over Dallas, averaging 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists on 54% shooting.
But just how good is the 29-year-old star? According to FOX Sports analyst Skip Bayless, he’s the best player in the 2020 postseason, with a mid-range jumper akin to Michael Jeffrey Jordan.
BEST PLAYER IN THE PLAYOFF BUBBLE: KAWHI LEONARD. YET ANOTHER 30-PT GAME. 33/14/7 AND 5 STEALS. BEST MIDRANGE GAME SINCE JORDAN.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) August 30, 2020
Obviously, Kawhi is one of the best two-way players in the game and, on offense, he specializes in mid-range jumpers. Though the craft has become a bit of a lost art, Leonard may be bringing it back.
He was able to shoot 50.8 percent from that zone in the playoffs last year using dribbles, pull-ups, and fadeaways. Truth be told, he is definitely the best mid-range maestro of this modern era, though saying he’s the best since Jordan is (admittedly) a stretch.
As for the Clippers, their race for the 2020 title continues. They will need a united effort from Leonard, George, and the rest of the supporting cast, if they want to maximize their chances, especially if they meet the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
But so long as they have Leonard, and he keeps up his theatrics from the middle, they should be just fine.
