Kawhi Leonard will show up in Indianapolis this weekend and it won’t be outwardly obvious whether the Clippers star is excited to be making his sixth All-Star appearance. His public face rarely shows his inward thoughts.
Yet, there is no mistaking what truly matters, career-wise, to Leonard and it’s not midseason honors or participation trophies. There’s only one goal left for the two-time NBA champion and that’s a third ring.
Leonard hasn’t been silent about his quest to bring an NBA title to the Clippers, and this season he appears to have taken it upon himself to get that done.
“I mean I’m just focused on it right now,” said Leonard, who won NBA titles and a pair of Finals MVP trophies with the San Antonio Spurs (2014) and Toronto Raptors (2019).
“I’m in the moment in this season and I’m trying to get us to a place where you haven’t been before and that’s what I’m focused on.”
Laser focused.
Before an adductor strain sidelined him for the Clippers’ victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night and put doubt on his participation in Sunday’s All-Star Game, Leonard had missed just five games this season, a 180-degree turn from last season.
Leonard appeared in just 52 of 82 games last season, which was cut short when he tore the meniscus in his right knee in the first round of the playoffs. The Clippers were eliminated in five games by the Phoenix Suns.
This season, a healthier and seemingly more determined Leonard showed up to training camp. He already has played in 48 of the Clippers’ 53 games, averaging a team-best 24.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 33.4 minutes per game. It is the healthiest and most efficient season of his 12-year career.
His point totals and shooting percentages are up from last year due in large part to the acquisition of 10-time All-Star James Harden and a change in the starting lineup with Russell Westbrook going to the bench. Coach Tyronn Lue consistently points to…
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