“You can count on him to turn into Michael Jordan”: Joel Embiid Has Nightmares About Kawhi Leonard But Still Praises the Clippers Superstar

Kawhi Leonard might have spent a year injured but he still remains a nightmare to players. Joel Embiid was clear about that. Embiid heaped praise upon the Clippers superstar saying that you could count on Kawhi to turn into Michael Jordan when the playoffs come around.

Embiid’s comment reveals that Kawhi is not down and out. Over the last five games, Kawhi has racked up 28.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He has looked better and better with every game. Kawhi’s injury-plagued career is the background to all of this. And it is a shadow he cannot escape.

Despite all of it, everyone knows how ferocious he can get.

Kawhi Leonard and his Injury-Riddled Career

Kawhi Leonard is one of the unfortunate few who have been injury riddle throughout their career. In the 2017-18 season, Kawhi would miss the first 27 games of the season. The rest of the season wasn’t much better. Indeed, the injuries got worse as the years went on.

It would peak in the 2021-22 season where he would miss the entire season. A partial tear in the right knee was the cause. Only this season, after much rehabilitation Kawhi has started playing again.

The Clippers superstar still doesn’t think he has completely recovered. He maintains it will still take one more year. However, his opponents still have the utmost respect for him. And that is perhaps because he handed them some of the worst losses ever.

Read more: “Give Kawhi Leonard Some Time”: Kevin Garnett Urges People to Give ‘the Klaw’ Recovery Time

Joel Embiid on Kawhi Leonard:

"He looks amazing. You can count on him to turn into Michael Jordan in the playoffs. He looks great now, but I think he's gonna be even better once you get to the playoffs." pic.twitter.com/hUenFUMMdD

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 18, 2023

Kawhi’s Comeback and why Embiid is fearful

It is this mostly “recovered” Kawhi that played against Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers. Kawhi has been gradually playing like his old self. He has improved with every game.

Embiid was clear that Kawhi was still outstanding. “He looks amazing” is what Joel Embiid said. Not just that Embiid said he would become even better during the playoffs.

Kawhi turns into Michael Jordan during the playoffs. That is high praise and given Kawhi’s history, it is mostly true. If Kawhi Leonard comes close to his old form the Western Conference will become very interesting. And it is happening.

The Clippers did lose to Embiid’s 76ers but Kawhi put up a strong showing. He put up 27 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist against them. This performance has been the norm these days. It was not for nothing that Embiid was so impressed. A fit Kawhi is an all-time great. Hopefully, one that we’ll soon see.

Read more: “Say the same thing about the Bulls or the Knicks”: Joel Embiid Casually Flexes Flawless Record After Improving to 8-0 in Los Angeles