After losing Paul George at the start of free agency, the LA Clippers might struggle to win a championship this season.
Challenges Ahead:
With Steve Ballmer’s significant investments since buying the team in 2014, including luxury taxes and a new arena, expectations have been high. However, injuries to both George and Kawhi Leonard have repeatedly disrupted their plans. Coach Ty Lue has had to constantly adjust his strategies due to these setbacks.
Now, with George gone and Leonard dealing with knee issues again, it’s likely that the Clippers won’t meet their goals this season. Despite this, Leonard remains positive. During a media session on Tuesday, he made it clear that he doesn’t rely on others to be his savior.
“I donโt feel like itโs going to be harder for me personally,” Leonard said. “For anybody Iโm on the court with, I donโt look at him to be my savior. I take care of my own role and the challenges that I have to face each and every game.”
Kawhi Leonard on Clippers losing Paul George: โI donโt feel like itโs going to be harder for me personally. For anybody Iโm on the court with, I donโt look at him to be my savior.โ
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver)
Kawhi’s Current Form:
After two major knee injuries, including a torn ACL, Leonard isn’t quite the same player he used to be. He’s still great at defense and can score when needed but lacks his previous speed and agility.
The Clippers focused on improving their defense over the summer by adding Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr., but they can’t fully replace George’s impact alone. Kevin Porter Jr. and Nic Batum were also brought in for extra offensive support.
Fans believe that without staying healthy all season long, there’s no way Lue’s team can compete for a championship in such a strong Western Conference.
So while George may not have been Leonard’s savior, without him around anymore … Leonard must now become the guiding light for his team!
