While speaking to ESPN reporter Ohm Youngmisuk, Clippers head coach Ty Lue said he’ll be trying to play Kawhi Leonard like MJ or Kobe.
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The Warriors picked up some aspects of the triangle offense during their stupendous 5-year run. They were able to use Kevin Durant in those situations handily for the last 3 of those years. Ty Lue believes that Kawhi can play a similar style and role for the Clippers.
The triangle offense was famously instituted by Phil Jackson and Tex Winter with the Bulls. Jordan won 6 championships with this offense, and Kobe added 5 more titles as the playmaker of the triangle.
Ty Lue says Kawhi Leonard will play triangle sets like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan
Ty Lue said that Kawhi would be put to use in a couple of triangle sets every game this season:
“We have put in two or three sets from the triangle and let Kawhi play in those spaces where Kobe and Jordan played in those spots as well. Leonard loves those two players. He really respects and looks up to those guys, so we’re just trying to put him in positions to succeed. I was able to play with both those guys, but I also played in the triangle, so just trying to teach him that as well as teaching our team as well.”
Ty Lue played alongside Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Now the Clippers coach says he plans to utilize Kawhi Leonard at times like MJ and Kobe in a few triangle sets https://t.co/zskLtDcPhr
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) December 20, 2020
Ty Lue also spoke about Kawhi’s midrange dominance. With 325 attempts from that range last season, the Klaw ranked 4th in the league in attempts from midrange:
“I think it’s a lost art. I’m a firm believer in, ‘why not work on what teams are giving up?’ Every team wants to give up the mid-range shot, the mid-range 2s, and why not continue to work on the shots that teams are giving up.”
