Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
Kawhi Leonard gets this dunk around Luka Doncic.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Richard W. Rodriguez/AP.)
Kawhi Leonard has come a long way, hasn’t he?
He was picked in the middle of the first round and got comparisons to Gerald Wallace, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Shawn Marion. Those weren’t bad comparisons to get as those three were good players in their own right (Wallace and Marion became all-stars). But, man, did he surpass those expectations. Leonard’s perimeter game was said to be inconsistent and, despite being an excellent defender, he gambled too much on that end. Plus he didn’t have a very good left hand.
Obviously, we saw him grow to become arguably the best player in the game. We’ve seen him finish with his left hand. He’s got a variety of moves offensively and he can shoot the three-ball no problem. Leonard has already won two Finals MVPs and has come close to winning the regular season MVP on a few occasions. So much for those comparisons to Wallace, Mbah a Moute, and Marion.
While he rose from role player to superstar, the one thing that had been consistently missing from him was his passing. He can make plays for himself, no problem. But can he make plays for his teammates?
Well…
I didn’t realize it in real time but this Kawhi Leonard pass to Landry Shamet is dumb as hell. I have no earthly idea how Kawhi even saw him. pic.twitter.com/oNo1qc1nFf
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) January 22, 2020
His court vision and passing have been much better in recent years. As mentioned, it’s been the missing thing and weakness of his overall game. And if he continues to do that, he becomes an even more terrifying player.
Kawhi Leonard is averaging a career-high in assists this season.
(Data from Basketball Reference.)
He’s improved in passing so much in such a short time. Patrick Beverley is the only “point guard” in the main rotation for the Clippers and we obviously know that his strength lies somewhere else. Lou Williams has become more of a passer in recent years, too, but his strength lies in being a scorer. Kawhi and Lou have shared the playmaking that the Clippers lack in the point guard position. It would be nice if the Clippers get another playmaker but Kawhi becoming a good passer has eased that for the team for now.
That is what makes him such a Fun Guy.
Bullet Passes
Dwight Powell hurt his Achilles and there is a possibility that he’ll be out for the season. Just an awful awful thing to happen. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.
Landry Shamet has picked it up a bit. He’s scored double digits in the last 4 games (all wins for the Clippers). In that close game against Dallas, he made 5 threes and scored 18 points (both season highs).
Kristaps Porzingis (yeah, yeah, I know) did come back for the Mavericks. But he went 4 for 17 (10 points). Whoops.
I’m ready for a Zion Williamson debut tonight.
The Scoreboard
LAC 110 (31-13) @ DAL 107 (27-16)
Watch This Play
Kawhi dunks in traffic as Luka Doncic tries to stop him to no avail.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Highlight Central.)
It wasn’t “disrespectful”, per se, but impressive, nonetheless.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.