Tag: Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard didn’t deserve All-NBA second-team nod over LeBron James

There was no logical reason for Kawhi Leonard to get more All-NBA votes than LeBron James did.

On Wednesday, the NBA announced its All-NBA teams for this season. LeBron James was voted onto the All-NBA third team along with Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton and Domantas Sabonis.

On the surface, it seems like an excellent accomplishment and an appropriate choice by the voters. This was the 20th time James was chosen to an All-NBA team, and at 39 years and four months of age, he’s the oldest player to earn that honor.

But a closer look reveals a detail some may consider an injustice.

The 2023-24 All-NBA second team consists of James’ Los Angeles Lakers superstar teammate Anthony Davis, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards and Kawhi Leonard.

That’s right. Kawhi Leonard was named to a higher All-NBA team than James, and that was wrong.

To be fair, Leonard is an excellent player. Even though he is somewhat diminished compared to a few years ago, he’s clearly a better defender than James. He also shot an outstanding 88.5% from the free-throw line, while James made 75% of his foul shots.

But those were the only facets of the game in which Leonard was superior to James this season.

James averaged more points per game (25.7) than Leonard (23.7), and his shooting percentage of 54% was higher than Leonard’s mark of 52.5%. Leonard shot 41.7% from 3-point range compared to 41% for James, but that is a negligible difference. James also averaged 1.2 more rebounds per contest than Leonard.

There was one category in particular he was much better than the Los Angeles Clippers forward. He dealt 8.3 assists a game, his highest output in that department since the 2019-20 season, while Leonard was at 3.6 dimes per game.

In fact, Leonard’s career-high in that category (5.2 per game in the 202-21 season) is still lower than James’ career-low (5.9 a game as a rookie).

Then there is the health factor. Both have been injury-prone in recent years.  James appeared in 71 games this regular season compared to 68 for Leonard. But in the playoffs, Leonard missed four of the six games of the Clippers’ first-round series versus the Dallas Mavericks due to knee inflammation after sitting out the last eight regular-season games with the same ailment.

In the two postseason games he appeared, he mustered a total of 24 points. It was the fourth straight postseason in which he had missed at least two games.

James, on the other hand, played in all five contests in the first-round series between the Lakers and Denver Nuggets. There, he continued his excellent play by putting up 27.8 points on 56.6% overall shooting and 38.5% from 3-point range, 8.8 assists and 6.8 rebounds a game.

Even after all these years and 17 playoff appearances, he has never missed a single playoff game.

The head-to-head stats this year also favor James. He registered 31.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.3 dimes a game while shooting 62.7% from the field and 52.2% from downtown (he missed one of the four contests between the Lakers and Clippers this season). Leonard, meanwhile, was at 26 points, 8 boards and 5.8 assists, and he made 53.8% of his shot attempts and 40% of his 3-point tries.

The Lakers won their season series versus the Clippers 3-1, and their lone loss came when James sat out the Jan. 23 game between the two squads.

Despite all that working in James’ favor, in the balloting for the All-NBA teams, he ended up getting 164 points to Leonard’s 242 points.

Perhaps James will use this as motivation this offseason and into his 22nd NBA season.

Rudy Gay says Kawhi Leonard situation with Spurs was ‘refreshing’

Former San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay called the Kawhi Leonard situation there “refreshing.”

The San Antonio Spurs were one of the best teams in the NBA throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Tim Duncan led the way through the 2000s, and it looked as though Kawhi Leonard was ready to fully take over the 2010s. He won a Finals MVP with San Antonio, but his time with the Spurs came to an infamously disastrous end.

The end result was San Antonio trading Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, where he won a championship but left for the LA Clippers after one year. Leonard wanted to leave San Antonio and decided to sit out until he got his way.

NBA veteran Rudy Gay was on the team when the Leonard situation was playing out, and during a recent appearance on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast with Carmelo Anthony, he called the ordeal “refreshing.” (H/t Farbod Esnaashari of All Clippers)

“No, it was refreshing though because that was the first time in a long time I ever seen somebody just stand on it,” Gay said. “You know what I mean? …And I think that was the beginning of the era. But besides ‘Bron, obviously but a player would be like, no this is what I want. I’m going to stand on it until I get it.”

Leonard wanting out of San Antonio and not budging until he got his way paved the way for a whole era of other players doing the same.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

James Harden explains why he bizarrely contested teammate Kawhi Leonard’s 3-point attempt

James Harden contested his own teammate’s shot. Why? He has a reason.

James Harden … what are you doing?!

We’ve seen some weird contesting of shots in the NBA as of late. There was Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla trying to block Royce O’Neale after a whistle, and now we’ve got Harden running out to contest the shot of … his Los Angeles Clippers teammate, Kawhi Leonard.

Seriously! Watch the video below from Wednesday night a few times and tell me you’re not cackling at that.

Why did he do it? He told reporters he was trying to “bring some excitement to this team” and that the Clips were going through a “fog” lately and wanted to give Los Angeles something to laugh about:

Well, I guess it worked? Weird, though.

After close win, Clippers stars impressed by improving Rockets

Kawhi Leonard on the Rockets: “Very good and very confident. Ime [Udoka] is putting them in the right position to succeed, and they are just getting better and better.”

HOUSTON — Los Angeles Clippers forwards Kwahi Leonard and Paul George sat at their lockers inside the visiting locker room of Toyota Center, and discussed some of the events that had transpired in Wednesday’s 122-116 victory over Houston.

Leonard and George knew coming into the game that they would have their hands full with a young, inspired team that featured several strong veterans and a proven head coach, Ime Udoka.

“Very good and very confident,” Leonard told Rockets Wire when asked about Houston’s team. “Ime (Udoka) is putting them in the right position to succeed, and they are just getting better and better.”

Houston led by as many as 20 points in the first half before being outscored in the second half, 78-59. George, Leonard and former Rockets star James Harden used their combined 47 years of NBA experience to wear down their youthful opponents, who are still learning to finish games. That was once Harden’s role before he left the team (through a forced trade) in January 2021.

“They are definitely headed in the right direction,” Harden said regarding the Rockets’ future. “They have a combination of young talent with some vet pieces that have some experience. They have been playing really well. The future is bright.”

That analysis by proven All-Star talents clearly suggests Udoka has his team on the right track. Although they are 3-5 since the All-Star break, Houston has looked increasingly competitive against the Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder, who are likely to make the NBA playoffs.

Jalen Green had back-to-back games of 34 points in Phoenix, while teammate Alperen Sengun did his best work at home. On Tuesday, he posted a career-high 45 points and five steals in his matchup with prized rookie Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs. He followed that with his second career triple-double: 23 points, 19 rebounds and 14 assists against the Clippers.

“I have been the biggest supporter of Alperen (Sengun), so it doesn’t surprise me at all,” George told Rockets Wire when describing Sengun’s strong play. “His game … he is up there with the best of the centers in this league, and he is showing that, night in and night out.”

[lawrence-related id=121572,121575]

Clippers vs. Warriors: How to watch, stream, lineups, injury reports and broadcast for Wednesday

Before the Warriors meet the Clippers on Wednesday, here’s everything you need to know about the game, including how to watch.

Riding a five-game win streak, the Golden State Warriors will put their streak on the line on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

After securing a one-point win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, the Warriors followed Steph Curry’s game-winner with a blowout win over the Utah Jazz on Monday night. The Warriors will have the chance to advance their five-game winning streak on Wednesday against the shorthanded Clippers.

The Clippers are set to be without Kawhi Leonard on Wednesday due to an adductor injury.

Before the Warriors meet the Clippers on Saturday night, here’s everything you need to know about the game, including how to watch.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

NBA Twitter reacts to Kawhi Leonard’s extension: ‘This is a big deal for the Clippers’

Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to Kawhi Leonard’s three-year contract extension with the Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard has signed a three-year, $152 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, per Adrian Wojnarowski.

Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the latest news in the Association.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka sees elements of young Kawhi Leonard in Tari Eason

Ime Udoka was an assistant coach for years in San Antonio, and he sees elements of a “young Kawhi Leonard” in second-year Rockets forward Tari Eason.

For several seasons in the 2010s, Ime Udoka was an assistant coach in San Antonio on the staff of legendary head coach Gregg Popovich.

When those Spurs won their fifth and final NBA title of the Tim Duncan era in 2014, one of the promising young talents was forward Kawhi Leonard, who has since developed into a superstar.

Now a head coach himself in Houston, Udoka says a player on his 2023-24 Rockets reminds him of a younger version of Leonard.

Tari Eason, drafted No. 17 overall in the 2022 first round, entered the NBA known largely known for his defensive potential. It’s somewhat reminiscent of Leonard, who — after falling to No. 15 in the 2011 draft — wasn’t initially viewed as an elite prospect due to questions about his upside on offense. But Leonard eventually broke through, and Eason would love follow a similar template.

Via courtside reporter Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network, the team’s regional television broadcast partner, Udoka said this regarding Eason and his impact on the Rockets:

He has a unique ability to impact games. I think he’s No. 1 on our team, from a statistical standpoint, in how he impacts games and winning, when he’s playing.

He does it in his own way. He’s a guy that you don’t even have to call a play for. He’s going to impact the game on the defensive end, and offensively, he’s shooting the ball well. He’s learning to grow in those areas. Then the steals, and the loose balls and the 50/50 balls, all the things he comes up with are very unique. He’ll get a crazy one every game that makes you kind of shake your head.

I had a young Kawhi Leonard, and (Tari) is the closest thing that reminds me of what Kawhi did back in the day … just in taking balls, and getting ones that other guys don’t get. Those are plays that ignite the team, give us a bunch of energy, and it gets him going, as well.

In 22 games this season, Eason is averaging 9.8 points (46.6% FG, 36.0% on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 21.8 minutes. He’s been on a slight minutes limitation due to a stress reaction suffered in his left leg during the 2023-24 preseason, and he’s missed several games in recent days due to the lingering issue.

The complete interview can be viewed below.

[lawrence-related id=119555,116814]

Why 2014 San Antonio Spurs were best team in NBA history

Were the 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs the best team in NBA history?

The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls went 72-10. The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors went 73-9. The former won the NBA championship, and the latter didn’t, but both are considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history. And over the years, the San Antonio Spurs have had a few teams that deserve to have their name thrown in the ring for that title.

San Antonio’s best record in franchise history was in the 2015-16 season when they went 67-15. However, they didn’t win the championship. The Spurs’ team in 2014 was just as impressive. Their regular season was a bit worse at 62-20, but they finished the job when the season came to a close.

The Heart of Texas Media Network recently uploaded a YouTube video that detailed why the 2013-14 Spurs were the best team in NBA history.

Not only did the Spurs win the title that year, they managed to take down the Miami Heat, who were riding the high of two straight NBA championships.

Kawhi Leonard took home the Finals MVP award, largely because of the defense he played against LeBron James, but the Spurs’ scoring was well-rounded throughout the playoffs.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Leonard were able to bring home another championship to San Antonio on the tail end of their dynasty.

It was Duncan’s fifth title in San Antonio and the fourth for both Parker and Ginobili. All three were entering the final stages of their career, yet with the help of Leonard, they were able to take down one of the best teams in the league.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Gregg Popovich reflects on decision to hush crowd for booing Kawhi Leonard in Clippers game

A couple of days after the incident, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich reflected on his decision to hush the boos for Kawhi Leonard.

The San Antonio Spurs are spiraling. With their loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, they have now lost 11 games in a row. They are 3-13 on the season, putting them in dead last in the Western Conference. After a promising start, everything has been going poorly for the young Spurs.

And in their recent loss to the LA Clippers, things took a turn for the weird. When former Spur Kawhi Leonard was at the free-throw line, Spurs fans throughout Frost Bank Center were booing him. Then, head coach Gregg Popovich took the microphone and told everyone to stop. This only made the Spurs fans in attendance boo more, and Popovich’s decision was questioned on social media.

Before the Spurs’ game against the Warriors, however, Popovich doubled down, saying he stands by his decision to tell the crowd to stop. (H/t Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News)

Gregg Popovich shockingly grabbed a mic to tell Spurs crowd to stop booing Kawhi Leonard

We’ve never seen ANYTHING like this during an NBA game.

You could watch basketball every day of your life and you’ve almost definitely never seen anything quite like this.

During the second quarter of a game between the Spurs and the Clippers on Wednesday night, Kawhi Leonard made a trip to take two shots at the free-throw line. Leonard, who was drafted by San Antonio in 2011 and played for the organization until 2018, was booed by the crowd at Frost Bank Center in Texas.

Between the first and second attempt at the charity stripe, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich grabbed a P.A. microphone and told the crowd to cut it out.

It was an unexpected and bold decision by Popovich, who has coached the Spurs since 1996.

Popovich, who worked closely with Leonard when the five-time All-Star played in San Antonio before the NBA Finals MVP demanded a trade, is one of the only coaches who could get away with such a surprising declaration to his own home crowd.

After drafting sensational big man Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the coach signed a five-year extension to remain with the Spurs.

It’s unlikely, though, that we’ll ever see anything like this from Popovich again during his tenure as a head coach in the NBA.

[lawrence-related id=2154829,2118304,2117658,1965926]