NBA Rumors: Miami Heat suitable team for Kawhi Leonard, Colin Cowherd suggests
Kawhi Leonard is still one of the NBA's biggest stars despite being plagued by injuries during his time with the LA Clippers. Analyst Colin Cowherd believes Leonard would be better off going to the Miami Heat.
"Jimmy Butler plays hurt all the time and is available," Cowherd said as he addressed Kawhi's situation. "So is Bam (Adebayo). So, if you have an established culture and an established star – preferably one that plays 70 games a year – he’s fine."
The Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs on Tuesday night after five hard-fought games against the Phoenix Suns. While Kawhi played the first two games, he missed the final three with a torn meniscus.
Leonard played 52 games in the regular season and was on constant minutes restrictions to monitor his previous injuries. With him on the court, the Clippers were able to clinch the fifth spot in the Western Conference.
"The Klaw" averaged 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 51.2%, including 41.6% from 3-point range.
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Richard Jefferson responds to Stephen A. Smith's comments regarding Kawhi Leonard
Stephen A. Smith recently made comments about Kawhi Leonard that didn't sit well with some of his colleagues at ESPN, especially Richard Jefferson and JJ Redick.
Following the confirmation of Leonard's meniscus tear, Smith advised the All-Star to retire from basketball. Jefferson didn't appreciate Smith's words and took the opportunity to call out the sports analyst.
"The man has a torn meniscus, and there's nothing you can do," Jefferson said. "I don't like hearing people say that the Clippers should make him retire. I don't like hearing people say that Kawhi should retire. Because it's nobody's place to tell a player when to retire.
"When I look at guys like Derrick Rose, who went to horrific injury after injury, and all he did was keep battling back, put up a 50-point, tears in his eyes. When I look at guys that are battling back all the time, Isaiah Thomas battling back. When I look at Victor Oladipo, I was doing the game ... we can't sit up here in this position and ever tell a player when it's done. And in my opinion, that's not our place."
"It's nobody's place to tell a player when to retire."
@Rjeff24 reacts to Kawhi's injury ⬇️
(via NBA Today) https://t.co/BVbWV9AiU9
Also read: NBA Rumors: LA Clippers to remain committed to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George