Kawhi Leonard dropped one of the best playoff performances in recent memory, leading the La Clippers to victory in Game 2 of the playoffs.
After a fierce Game 1, when Russell Westbrook’s defensive play at the clutch helped the Denver Nuggets win, the LA Clippers secured a 105-102 victory on the road of Game 2.
Kawhi Leonard played a memorable game as he scored 39 points with a very efficient 78.9% shooting from the field.
Despite all the attention he has been getting, the two final MVP showed his talent by making 12 of his first 13 shots.
His performance helped him earn a lot of praise from the NBA community, especially his former teammates.
Williams and Kawi Leonard were teammates with the Clippers for two years.
However, he chose Leonard over Larry Bird, a three-time NBA champion and more glory, and didn’t sit well with the others in the studio.
Speaking about the “Run It Back” show, Williams said, “He reminded everyone why he was in that conversation when he wasn’t one of the top two or three small forwards in the game.”
Despite having one of the best resumes in the game, Leonard’s career has been hampered by injuries, and Williams considers it to be the only knock of his career.
“He was not available, but look at the injuries he has returned, see what he has experienced and put him in that position.
“You can imagine what you can expect when he is 100% healthy and last night is that sample size and when he can stand two feet and play at this level,” Williams added.
He gave him a top four ranking in sci-fi positions, but it didn’t work out with fellow crew members Demarcus Cousins and Chandler Parsons.
“LeBron, KD, Kawi, Larry Bird, and then it’s choppy,” Williams said.
Cousins also had a small stint with the Clippers. There he was Leonard and a teammate, but that didn’t stop him from putting others in the rankings.
He said things would be different for a former Defensive Player of the Year Award winner if they weren’t injured.
“If he is healthy throughout his career, then when it comes to Kauhi and his health, this is another conversation.
“This is two god levels: Bron and Bird. Everyone else is debated,” Cousins said.
The panel mentioned Kevin Durant and Scotty Pippen in the conversation, but their rankings were unconsensus.
Leonard is certainly in great shape, playing basketball so many people have never seen him.
If he continues, he can lead the Clippers to the championship, which can push him even further on these biggest lists of all time.