Nick Wright talks about how Kawhi has to step up and become a leader, something he has never had to before in his career.
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With the LA Clippers making an early exit from the Playoffs, everyone has had their chance to mock them. And now people are talking about their future. The Clippers lacked focus and chemistry, which led to them blowing a commanding 3-1 lead over the Nuggets. They seemed like they were out of steam by the time they got to the latter half of the series.
Also Read: “Clipper players could not play for more than 3-minute spurts”
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George had a terrible showing in the decider Game 7 and were out-played by Jamal Murray and the Nuggets. This brings upon a lot of questions regarding the Clippers as a team. There is the clear lack of a floor general, shot caller, and someone to take over and talk to the team, on the floor.
“Kawhi has to become a leader,” Nick Wright says
Kawhi Leonard has never really had to be a team leader. He had LeMarcus Aldrige and others at Spurs and the Raptors had Kyle Lowry. Kawhi just came in as an individual and did his best.
While Kawhi has been the best player on the teams that he has played, until now he has never been asked to control the floor as a point guard.
“Kawhi’s going to have to do something he’s never been asked to do his whole career — be a leader. He wasn’t asked to be a leader in San Antonio, he wasn’t asked to be a leader in Toronto, that was Lowry. He’s been a great player but he has to be a leader too.” — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/8RjAehqqIv
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) September 22, 2020
What task do Kawhi and Co. have in front of them?
Before the next season starts, Kawhi and the Clippers have to play together, as a team. That is one of the only ways to create the chemistry that they were clearly lacking. They also need to work on their stamina and getting some rhythm going when the business end of the season arrives.
Also Read: “Where was this against the Nuggets, Paul George called out by teammates”
The entire season Clippers showed small spurts of brilliance and that made us think they were title contenders. They need to learn to be consistent and perform that well overall, and not just in small spurts. We can safely assume that the ‘Load Management’ would be severely reduced next season.
The Clippers, if they tie up loose ends, can be a championship contending team in the upcoming season. However, for that to happen, Kawhi Leonard will really need to step in as a leader
