Colin Cowherd gives interesting analogy comparing Kawhi Leonard and Lamar Jackson
Kawhi Leonard, although one of the best players in the NBA when healthy, has drawn considerable criticism over the years. While Leonard has a reputation for being quiet, during his time with the San Antonio Spurs that decision put him at odds with the Spurs' front office.
There were reports that Leonard and his team had pretty much stopped communicating with the Spurs, leaving many in the dark. According to analyst Colin Cowherd, it's more of the same in LA, with Leonard and his team making decisions first, and updating coach Ty Lue later.
When discussing the NFL's Indianapolis Colts making a run at Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson, Cowherd related Jackson's situation to Leonard's. The way he sees things, in both cases, there's an undeniable air of uncertainty. If Jackson really is ready to move on from the Ravens, who actually knows his plans?
"Nobody ever talks," Cowherd said. "I'm not anti-mystery. It sells. It's fascinating. It makes me want you more, but I'm not sure if it works for a franchise quarterback. I know the Clippers have been nothing but frustrated with Kawhi Leonard, who sometimes shows up at 3:45 to 4 o'clock at the arena and advises Ty Lue, 'Yeah, I'm not going to play tonight.'
"Wasn't it Lamar Jackson in December we were told he was ready to play (but) now I'm not going to play for the next couple weeks? I really like him, I like Kawhi, but it's getting odd and strange. I'm just not sure that's what I want running my franchise."
You can view his comments in the video above beginning shortly after the four-minute mark.
Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers this season
Kawhi Leonard has played in just 44 games this season, the fewest since the 2017-18 season which saw him play just nine games. He also notably missed the entirety of last season while rehabbing an ACL injury.
With just nine games left in the season, Leonard and the Clippers (38-35) sit in fifth place in a stacked Western Conference. Early in the season, Lue said there was no timeline for Leonard's return. Given the impact Leonard makes on the floor, it's no secret that the front office wants him healthy come playoff time.
Despite an on-again, off-again schedule throughout the season, Leonard has put up some impressive numbers when healthy. Over the 44 games he's played, he's averaged 33.8 minutes per game, a figure on par with recent seasons.
He's averaged 23.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. In addition, Leonard is shooting 41.5% from beyond the arc, the best he's shot since the 2015-16 season with the Spurs, when he shot 44.3% from 3-point range.
With Paul George sidelined for two to three weeks, the team will lean on Leonard in the immediate future as they try to hold onto a top spot in the West.
Below you can view some highlights from the team's recent 101-100 loss to the OKC Thunder.