Why Kawhi

[GreenlyGreeny]

The rumors of Kawhi Leonard being toast are greatly exaggerated. Consider these facts:

- As Kawhi slowly returns to form, the Clippers are 11-3 in games in which Kawhi has played.
- In games Kawhi has missed, the Clippers are 10-12.
- Those percentages are the difference between seasons of 64-18 and 37-45.
- Even in two of the three losses, Kawhi’s +/- was a positive number (only once was he negative and it was a -2 against Embiid/Harden in a game the Clippers lost by 5).
- Many pundits are saying the West will be close in the regular season, but they’d bet on the Clippers in the playoffs if Kawhi remains healthy. If you are wondering why, just look at above and remember what happened the last time Kawhi was back to health in the 2019 playoffs.
- In December, Kawhi is back to over 30 MPG and is shooting nearly 50% from the field. Yes, he’s a little rusty with his 3, but give it some time and he’ll get back near 40%.
- In his career, Kawhi has more steals than turnovers. Not even Michael Jordan and John Stockton pulled that off. Can you name anybody else who’s been an all-star and had more career steals  than turnovers (regular season + playoffs combined)? Have fun researching that…

Last but not least, Kawhi does all of the little things that make everyone around him better than they are without him. His BBIQ and intangibles are off the charts (that’s how you end up having  more steals than turnovers). When you’re watching the game tomorrow, or if you have time to replay it afterward, pay close attention to Kawhi at times off-ball, and you’ll see what I mean in action…

I’m absolutely terrified of seeing him in the NBA Finals, folks. Do not write-off Kawhi.

[Neurotic Guy]

Looking forward to seeing the Celtics v. a full-strength contender.  No question the Clippers with a healthy Kawhi are a threat.  Kawhi seems like he’s been around a long time to be only 31. 

[hpantazo]

Well the Clippers already kicked our butts once this season...

[SparzWizard]

That may be. But Kawhi and the Clippers will first need to get past the Pelicans, Nuggets, the Warriors (who has always been the monkey on their backs) if they sneak in, and guys like the Grizzlies and Mavs. They'll have their hands loaded.

[GreenlyGreeny]

With Kawhi only playing at 80-85% (AKA regular season Kawhi), we win by six yet Kawhi’s +/- is still zero. There’s a reason why he’s the winningest player in regular season history (.745 = 440-151). Kawhi’s BBIQ and net impact is truly startling. If we face the Clips in the Finals, we better be 100% healthy.

[jpotter33]

With Kawhi only playing at 80-85% (AKA regular season Kawhi), we win by six yet Kawhi’s +/- is still zero. There’s a reason why he’s the winningest player in regular season history (.745 = 440-151). Kawhi’s BBIQ and net impact is truly startling. If we face the Clips in the Finals, we better be 100% healthy.

Not sure that I follow. When you only win by six, being a +/- of 0 isn't all that impressive.

And if you're going down that route, Zubac was a +10. Dang, he must be the second coming of Wilt then! 

[Neurotic Guy]

With Kawhi only playing at 80-85% (AKA regular season Kawhi), we win by six yet Kawhi’s +/- is still zero. There’s a reason why he’s the winningest player in regular season history (.745 = 440-151). Kawhi’s BBIQ and net impact is truly startling. If we face the Clips in the Finals, we better be 100% healthy.

Well, arguably the Cs 3rd best player (arguably) didn’t play.  Cs would have their hands full with LAC, but they have their hands full with the Cs.

[Goldstar88]

JT and JB>>KL and PG13.

[GreenlyGreeny]

JT and JB>>KL and PG13.

True but also true:

JT > Klaw > JB > PG13

Therefore:

JT + Klaw > JT + JB

JB is over-reliant on his athleticism and has a fraction of the BBIQ of Kawhi. JB always likes to talk like he’s smart, but Kawhi just does the walk instead of the talk. JB will never be better than Kawhi.

If we had traded JB and Kyrie (or JB and other picks/players) for Klaw back in 2018, I bet we win the title in 2019, Klaw falls in love with Celtics lore like his LA icon Truth before him, re-signs with us in 2019, we re-sign Horford in 2019, we re-sign Hayward in 2020, and we win 3-4 titles between now and trading for Klaw in 2018 (maybe we fall short against the Bucks and Zenith Giannis in 2021, but I bet we win in 2019 instead of the Raptors, beat Miami/LA in the Bubble in 2020, and beat the Warriors in 2022). And we would be well on our way to the title again this upcoming June with a team like this:

Smart
JT
Kawhi
Hayward/Horford
Timelord/Horford

Depth: 2-3 decent guys on par with the likes of G. Williams or D-White

[Goldstar88]

JT and JB>>KL and PG13.

True but also true:

JT > Klaw > JB > PG13

Therefore:

JT + Klaw > JT + JB

JB is over-reliant on his athleticism and has a fraction of the BBIQ of Kawhi. JB always likes to talk like he’s smart, but Kawhi just does the walk instead of the talk. JB will never be better than Kawhi.

If we had traded JB and Kyrie for Klaw back in 2018, I bet we win the title in 2019, Klaw falls in love with Celtics lore like PP before him, re-signs with us in 2019, we re-sign Horford in 2019, we re-sign Hayward in 2020, and we win 3-4 titles between now and trading for Klaw in 2018 (maybe we fall short against the Bucks in 2021, but I bet we win in 2019 instead of the Raptors, beat Miami/LA in the Bubble in 2020, and beat the Warriors in 2022). And we would be well on our way to the title again this upcoming June with a team like this:

Smart
JT
Kawhi
Hayward/Horford
Timelord/Horford

Depth: 2-3 decent guys on par with the likes of G. Williams or D-White

What’s better: 16/6/4 as a #1 option or 27/7/3 as a 2nd option. How about 33 games played vs 14. Or 31 years old vs 26.

[GreenlyGreeny]

JT and JB>>KL and PG13.

True but also true:

JT > Klaw > JB > PG13

Therefore:

JT + Klaw > JT + JB

JB is over-reliant on his athleticism and has a fraction of the BBIQ of Kawhi. JB always likes to talk like he’s smart, but Kawhi just does the walk instead of the talk. JB will never be better than Kawhi.

If we had traded JB and Kyrie for Klaw back in 2018, I bet we win the title in 2019, Klaw falls in love with Celtics lore like PP before him, re-signs with us in 2019, we re-sign Horford in 2019, we re-sign Hayward in 2020, and we win 3-4 titles between now and trading for Klaw in 2018 (maybe we fall short against the Bucks in 2021, but I bet we win in 2019 instead of the Raptors, beat Miami/LA in the Bubble in 2020, and beat the Warriors in 2022). And we would be well on our way to the title again this upcoming June with a team like this:

Smart
JT
Kawhi
Hayward/Horford
Timelord/Horford

Depth: 2-3 decent guys on par with the likes of G. Williams or D-White

What’s better: 16/6/4 as a #1 option or 27/7/3 as a 2nd option. How about 33 games played vs 14. Or 31 years old vs 26.

Clippers’ medical staff screwed over Klaw. It’s one of the open secrets in the NBA. That does not happen in Boston to Kawhi after the IT fiasco.

[Goldstar88]

JT and JB>>KL and PG13.

True but also true:

JT > Klaw > JB > PG13

Therefore:

JT + Klaw > JT + JB

JB is over-reliant on his athleticism and has a fraction of the BBIQ of Kawhi. JB always likes to talk like he’s smart, but Kawhi just does the walk instead of the talk. JB will never be better than Kawhi.

If we had traded JB and Kyrie for Klaw back in 2018, I bet we win the title in 2019, Klaw falls in love with Celtics lore like PP before him, re-signs with us in 2019, we re-sign Horford in 2019, we re-sign Hayward in 2020, and we win 3-4 titles between now and trading for Klaw in 2018 (maybe we fall short against the Bucks in 2021, but I bet we win in 2019 instead of the Raptors, beat Miami/LA in the Bubble in 2020, and beat the Warriors in 2022). And we would be well on our way to the title again this upcoming June with a team like this:

Smart
JT
Kawhi
Hayward/Horford
Timelord/Horford

Depth: 2-3 decent guys on par with the likes of G. Williams or D-White

What’s better: 16/6/4 as a #1 option or 27/7/3 as a 2nd option. How about 33 games played vs 14. Or 31 years old vs 26.

Clippers’ medical staff screwed over Klaw. It’s one of the open secrets in the NBA. That does not happen in Boston to Kawhi after the IT fiasco.

That may be true, but it supports the argument that the C’s are better off with JB. Kawhi is very injury prone and on the wrong side of 30. Not a good combination. I’ve always admired Leonard’s game and I hope he gets back to top form, but certainly wouldn’t bet on it.