The Los Angeles Clippers have surpassed expectations this season and are linked to Kawi Leonard.
Leonard moved to LA after winning the championship with the Toronto Raptors, with some suggesting he is the best player in the world. He and Paul George were to rival LeBron James’ Lakers and win the Clippers’ first ring.
The injury bothered the pair last summer before George finally departed for Philadelphia.
Well, Leonard has a legitimate chance to return to fitness this season and run the postseason alongside James Harden.
NBA expert Chris Brussard compares him to the 2023 champion and three-time MVP Nicola Jokic.
The Nuggets-Clippers series could be the most even matched in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The Nuggets won Game 1 after overtime as Jokic scored 29 points, and the Clippers won Game 2 by 3 as Leonard scored 36.
Prior to Game 3 in LA, Brussard issued a bold statement about Leonard’s impact on Game vs. Jokic.
“It was a reminder of how great Kawi Leonard is,” he said. “We can only see all the blue moons, but when he’s at his best, he’s (vs. nuggets) and he’s like healthy and his team could win every game.
“He’s influenced the game just like anyone in the league. I’d argue that despite Jokic filling the score in the box even more, he can influence Jokic as much as Jokic.
Leonard’s offensive display was a highlight of Game 2, but the Clippers’ defense had just as much to do with the victory.
Head coach Tyronn Lue has many solid defenders, but Broussard believes Leonard’s play is urging him to reach another level.
“The Nuggets shot 2-12 when Kawi was a major defender. We saw him get a late stolen with 37 seconds left.
“But his defense helps Spark… They’re a great defensive team with (Ivica Zubac) and Kris Dunn anyway, but they had 13 steals. Kauhi had a lot to do with his aggression and it.
“He set the tone offensively and defensively, and a 13 steel helped him create 20 Denver turnovers with 21 points. It was a game. There are lots of numbers looking at the box score and saying, “How about the Clippers win this game?”