Tough Shots at the Rim: NBADraft.net

Sure thing! Here’s a human-style rewrite for you:

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You ever stop and think about how Kawhi Leonard must be feeling these days? I mean, seriously, after everything he’s been through. The dude’s been through more pain than I can even start to imagine just to get where he is now. Right in this moment, the Clippers are holding a 2-1 lead over the Nuggets, looking all set to take on the Thunder in the next round. And hey, maybe—just maybe—we’re finally getting the full picture of how insanely good this Clippers team could be.

A few months ago, though? I was pretty doubtful.

The Clippers basically put all their eggs in the Kawhi Leonard basket back in 2019, and yeah, that was totally the move. He had us all buzzing after leading the Raptors to an NBA title out of nowhere. Best two-way player on the planet, hands down, bouncing back from those San Antonio days that ended, well, kinda sadly.

Then the last five years happened. And yikes, Leonard somehow became the poster boy for “load management.” People yapped about him not wanting it enough, just because he wasn’t spilling his guts to the media about his injuries. He just let folks chat while he focused on healing up.

His teammates got it, though. They’d talk up how hard he worked to get back on the court. Meanwhile, the Clippers had to cross their fingers and hope his body was on their side, ‘cause really, what else were they gonna do?

Funny thing while all eyes were glued to Kawhi’s health—the Clippers built themselves a killer roster. And now, you’ve got Kawhi looking fresher and bouncier than ever, mainly because he doesn’t have to do it all himself. Take a peek at Jokic over there on the Nuggets. Guy’s playing like he’ll end up in the Hall of Fame, but he’s also burning out fast since the rest of the team just isn’t up for the challenge.

The Clippers? They’ve got this dual strategy going. There’s the Harden crew with those deadly pick-and-roll moves and defenders sprinkled all over, and then there’s the Kawhi squad—where he just straight-up crushes the other team’s spirit with some one-on-one magic when it really counts.

Game 2? Wild. Kawhi was basically unstoppable, like he was playing a video game or something. Just landing shot after shot, like it was nothing.

And I waited until after Game 3 to spill my thoughts ‘cause, you know, I wanted to see if Kawhi could keep up that pace. Sure, he wasn’t the superhuman he was in Game 2, but turns out the Clippers didn’t need that. The Nuggets seem pretty much done. Kawhi can just hang back, save his energy, and step up if it gets dicey.

No other team’s got this. Normally, someone as talented as Kawhi has to do it all. It’s exhausting. But as long as he stays fit, the Clippers have this phenomenal player ready to swoop in when it matters most.

Kawhi’s gotta be loving life right about now.

Random Thoughts:

– Is this the end for this version of the Grizzlies? Ja Morant was out with a nasty hip injury, and then the Thunder just choked them out, turning on their crazy defense like it was nothing. Watching it was like seeing a snake coil around its prey. Meanwhile, OKC showed they’re not just gonna roll over. Could this series with the Clippers become the unofficial finals? Maybe!

– Hats off to Evan Mobley for nabbing Defensive Player of the Year. He’s fantastic, no doubt. But do you reckon Caruso and Lu Dort see that and feel a bit sore about it? Memphis might think so.

– So, about this Clutch Player of the Year thing, how long before it’s scrapped? I’m betting two more years tops.